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Florida’s Last Fox Pen, Located In Walnut Hill, Shut Down By State
February 25, 2010
Florida’s last state permitted fox pen — located in Walnut Hill — has been shut down by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The FWC voted last week to temporarily prohibit the chasing of foxes and coyotes in enclosures, while moving forward to draft rules guiding such enclosures in Florida. An executive order prohibiting chasing of foxes and coyotes within an enclosure was issued Wednesday, and it was to be delivered to the Shady Oaks Fox Pen at 4000 South Highway 99 in Walnut Hill, effectively shutting the pen down, according to the FWC.
Shady Oaks operator Dewey Stuckey declined to make any comment for this story. The FWC is not accusing Shady Oaks or its owners of any wrongdoing.
There were as many as six state permitted fox pens in Florida in 2009, but all had closed by the end of the year except for the approximately 200 acre Shady Oaks Fox Pen in Walnut Hill. At one time, there were about 50 fox and coyote pens from the Panhandle to Central Florida.
Before making the decision, Commissioners listened to more than 40 speakers on fox and coyote pens, beginning with Rep. Debbie Boyd, D-High Springs. Boyd urged the Commission to recognize the shortcomings on both sides of the issue, to address those shortcomings and engage stakeholders in the process.
“This issue has been painted with a broad brush,” Boyd said. “I ask the Commission to engage stakeholders and put fox and coyote enclosures into rule rather than through the permit process.”
After listening to emotional appeals from the public, whose comments ranged from calling the practice of hunting foxes and coyotes within enclosures a “heritage” and “a way of life” to making charges of “cruelty” and “mauling” of the animals, Commissioners discussed how to proceed based on staff recommendations and public comment.
“Rep. Boyd said it best,” said Commissioner Kathy Barco. “We need to allow for the process so everybody works together.”
FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto said he leaned toward an outright ban of the practice but also felt the process should be given a chance for review.
“I’m not sure I’ll support the draft rules when they come back,” Barreto said. “I don’t see any sport in the animals’ having no escape. I personally don’t agree with the practice.”
Last September, FWC commissioners directed the agency’s law enforcement staff to explore the history behind the enclosures, including a review of the agency’s permitting process and the number of such enclosures in the state. Then-Executive Director Ken Haddad issued an executive order, putting a moratorium on issuing permits for chasing foxes or coyotes in enclosures.
During Wednesday’s meeting at Apalachicola, commissioners received the report, indicating such enclosures have been around since 1988, when the agency began meeting with stakeholders to draw up regulations for permitting them. Previously, fox hunting took place on large land tracts, but fewer tracts were available as Florida’s human population grew.
Enclosure operators also began using more-readily available coyotes captured within Florida. Importing coyotes from other states is illegal.
It is not legal to kill foxes in Florida, but chasing them with dogs has been a long-standing tradition.
In 2007, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources completed an investigation into fox pens in that state, and shared information with the FWC, indicating illegal importation, sale and delivery of foxes or coyotes was taking place among Alabama and six other states.
FWC investigators made similar discoveries during a 10-month undercover operation in 2008. They found some enclosures were ignoring permit provisions. As a result, officers cited 12 suspects for 46 alleged violations.
FWC wildlife veterinarian Mark Cunningham stated in a report that importation of foxes from other states could result in the spread of disease strains and parasites that are not native to Florida, and that poses health risks for humans, native wildlife, pets and livestock.
“This is not a referendum on hunting; we are a pro-hunting commission,” said Commissioner Brian Yablonski. “But we must consider the concept of ‘fair chase,’ and I am not sure chasing coyotes and foxes in an enclosure meets that standard of hunting – a standard that is important to preserving hunting in the future.”
The Commission asked staff to hold workshops and meet with stakeholders to develop draft rules. The draft rules will be brought back for consideration at the June meeting, with the possibility of final rule approval in September.
Pictured: A fence surrounds the Shady Oaks Fox Pen on South Highway 99 near Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
36 Responses to “Florida’s Last Fox Pen, Located In Walnut Hill, Shut Down By State”
THE REASON YOU DOIN’T GO IN THE PEN WALKING IS BECAUSE IF YOU GET IN THE PATH THAT THEY ARE RUNNING YOU COULD TURN THE GAME BACK ON THE DOGS. THE DOGS WILL ALSO LOOSE THE GAME AND THEN THEY GOT TO GO BACK HUNTING AGAIN, GET IT UP RUN IT AND LOOSE IT AND GO HUNTING AGAIN AND SO ON… YOU DO NOT STAY ON THE SAME GAME ALL THE TIME…”YOU JUST DON’T GET IT” THE LAST THING YOU WANT TO HAPPEN IS TO KILL YOUR GAME!!!!! MOVE BACK TO YOUR BIG CITIES AND STAY INSIDE BECAUSE YOU MIGHT GET ROBBED OR KILLED THIS IS THE COUNTRY WAY OF LIFE HUNTING AND FISHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First I want to say there is a difference in slavery and fox hunting that’s like comparing apples to oranges. The point I was making is fox hunting is a long time tradition. You are right Washington didn’t hunt in an enclosure. The land was not as heavily populated then no need to. That is the reason for the enclosure to keep the hounds off other peoples property. What did you discover during your visit to the pen? Because when I go we sit in one spot the whole time. Normally where we turn the dogs loose and have the food cooking. No need to move around just sit and listen to the race. The pens that I go to have a limit on the number of dogs we can hunt at one time. The owners of the enclousers around here pay $75 per fox/coyote they don’t want them killed no more than you do. The point of running dogs in these pens is to listen to a race not kill a coyote.
Steven – I DID ask to attend a fox hunt in a pen, but was told I had to sit in a stationary location and would not be allowed to roam the pen. It’s a little hard to gain a true perspective without seeing what is actually going on. I was also told that I could only bring one friend and they would have to stay in the same “spot” that I was being restricted to. If there is nothing to hide, why would it matter if I brought 5, 10 or 15 people with me? Why not completely open it up to the public to view? I simply wanted to see what truly happens when a pack bays a coyote. Plus, you know the pen is going to be on its best behavior when there are guests. Who is to say they don’t block the escape areas when no one is around? And again with the fox hunting! I am not against hunting in the open! George Washington DID NOT hunt in an enclosure!!!! Ever heard of “fair chase”? Did you also know that Washington owned 316 slaves at the time of his death? Does that make slavery acceptable, too???
It is clear that the people that are bashing hunting in a fox pen are clueless about what they are talking about. U know who you are so I challenge you when they re-open these pens to contact the owner and ask if you could observe a hunt. You will find out that the people who fox hunt in these enclosures are not at all cruel or inhumane nor do the fox or coyote rarely get killed. Also as far as the tradition part they are not refering to fox PEN hunting but fox hunting. Do your homework. Many of the first settlers brought there hounds with them from England. Here is one for you George Washington, yea our 1st president was a fox hunter, don’t believe me google it. All I ask is before you pass judgement please go experience it for yourself. Remember with experience comes knowledge.
when coyotes start eating your lap dogs & spreading disease, deer start being hit more often causing insurance to go up , then you will have sonething to whine about!
If the state of Florida and the timber companies would open their land back up to hunting the way it should be and was meant to be then their would be no need to have fox pens and coyote pens. Hunting is lifelong tradition (well over 75 years) that has been passed down through generations.
I’m glad to hear these have been shut down in Florida. This “sport” is as bad as dog fighting. Where’s the fairness in having three dogs rip apart a fox or coyote?
AMEN BILL2 !!!
Ok everyone. Let’s just take a big deep breathe and look at the real problem here.
Coyetes are a HUGH problem in our area. I talked with a person from the County Shelter and they told me that even in Pensacola and the Airport they can’t get ahold of the problem because there are just too many of them. They attack our livestock, our house dogs/cats, and carry diseases like rabies. Foxes are not any better. They have attacked my chickens and cats.
Whether we like it or not, hunting Coyetes, Foxes, and other game IS a sport. Hunting with dogs is legal still. They are needed to help the hunter find game, injuried or not.
THE PROBLEM IS the lack of legislation to cover what exactly a fox pen can do. I’m not saying I’m for this practice, but where are the people who enforce the law over the fox pens. As stated above, they have caught some of the people who are doing this in an illegal manor, but for everyone they catch, there are 4 more that get away with it. If there is such a problem in this area with coyetes and foxes, then why aren’t the fox pens getting these wild animals. Why must they “import” them? Too many times have I seen law enforcement sit on their butts and turn a blind side to what’s happening around them. If meat/milk herds, goats, chickens, pigs and such are watched closely for our protection, then why aren’t the fox pens? Fox pens are a way of controlling the population of these problematic creatures.
Wake up and smell the coffee, fox pens serve a purpose. I don’t think it nice or pretty when a coyete or fox gets mauled by a dog, but then again, I don’t want my dogs mauled by the coyetes or my chickens mauled by the foxes.
I have known for some time that they are bringing things in for hunts on
my block.
I have seen them bringing cages in at NIGHT!
One week after I saw this, I heard large animal sounds like something
was dying. This was very late at night.
I lived in colorado for a while, I have heard large animal sounds before.
I have also heard something large dying before. It was a moose.
I have wondered what our hunters here in my subdivision are bringing in and killing.
They hunt at night about twice a month. The hunts seem to go on
for a few days then there over till the next time.
Today when I came home from town there was a turkey on my door mat.
I loved it. I haven’t seen turkey’s running loose anywhere since I was
a little girl. I tried to take a picture of it for my hubby, but I got so excited
It got time to walk away. Funny how they don’t even run.
We have never had turkey’s in the subdivision since I have been here.
I presume this is what they brought in thursday night during survivor.
They seem to think no one will see at that time.
Anyway I know that turkey will be dead by nightfall.
I got an idea…why don’t these “hunters” first go buy a set of shock collars [if they are concerned they will loose their dogs]. Then get their wives to drive with them to a wildlife management area and then they can let their dogs go [w/hunter/husbands]. Now when it’s time for them to go home “after the hunt” the wife can shock both the hunter/husbands and the dogs back to the vehicle and they can all return home happily together. [my husband never would let me "try" his shock collars out on him] lol
i think that the word “redneck” is a word of perspective, similiar to “cracker” or the “N” word…all depends on the perspective and familiarity of the person saying it, as well as WHO they are saying it to…in this case, to me, i think it was intended to lean towards the derrogatory position… altho, i think that “oneandonly”s point is basically correct, it was lost by the “redneck” “hillbilly” reference, which probably put many folks (who may not even practice the “sport”) in a defensive mode….just my opinion.
You might be a left -wing ,look down your nose at the rest of the world ,narrow,bigot ,activist if you think calling someone a redneck is a bad thing
ROLLTIDE – You say the ” importing coyote thing is just another ploy by you silly activist!” Need I to remind you that TWELVE fox penners in Florida were ARRESTED for buying illegal wildlife? Were you at the FWC meeting last week where they stated that fox pens have been importing HUNDREDS of coyotes across state lines? What “ploy” do you speak of? You didn’t answer my question about ethics in regards to blocking escape areas with cinder blocks. Oh yeah, the coyotes don’t need them anyway, right?
I’m shocked that you did not use the word “tradition” or “heritage” during your entire argument! Congratulations!
You might be a redneck if ………….you stop at the gas station for some beanie weenies, natural light, and pork rhinds to sit and watch a hillbilly dogfight between a coyote and a huntin’dog ! This is sick, glad to get this backwoods “sport” outta this part of Florida!
pokeweed… The coyotes actually DO have a choice. They can CHOOSE to not run, but stay and fight Fluffy! Run… not run… my choice as a wild animal.
OnlyTheTruth- (A.K.A. OnlyGuessingTheTruth)
Your commenting on something you nothing about!!!!!
Fox and coyotes when pursued by hunting dogs generally run in big circles,so it would not matter if they were in ten thousand acres the race probably wouldn’t use a hundred acres.
You say the coyotes have no escape? escape from what? The dogs run them around for a while and then usually the fox or coyote loses them and the dogs go and find another to run around!
The importing coyote thing is just another ploy by you silly activist!
Most coyotes are trapped locally and here in the southeast.
And last but not least -
( YOU CAN GO YOUR SILLY SELF BACK TOO WERE YOU CAME FROM!!!! )
now if i remember correctly winnie the pooh live in the 100 acer woods and he was always getting lost, I think a smart fox would do better and with more room to move.
seriously, I don’t agree with running animals in fenced areas. it is true animals have a natural range (a distance they travel and stay between to hunt and live) when they are in a enclosure the entire enclosure becomes their range. they loose their ability to escape preditors. I can’t really go on about this, but it is good that this has stopped for now.
Rolltide – Just because someone has not been or participated in a fox pen hunt does not mean they have no say in the matter. Have you ever been with the mob on a “hit”? Probably not. Yet, you do believe that killing some one is wrong, right? I’ve never been to a dogfight, but I know it is wrong. What is lacking with these “hunters” is morals and ethics. You seriously believe that you are doing nothing wrong by releasing dozens of dogs on coyotes that have no chance of escape. Then, you stand by and defend it using “heritage” and “tradition”. Pens have only been around for about 30 years. This is NOT “herirtage” nor “tradition”. On top of it, you all use the “slippery slope” argument that we all MUST be against ALL hunting. That’s crap! You all still cannot legitimately explain why it was necessary for the pens to import coyotes, illegally, from out of state into these pens. Can you answer this? And if your “sport” does have morals and ethics, why did Sandsifters block the wildlife escape areas with cinder blocks? These are facts that you all have no real answer for.
Why do people have to kill for sport? I am glad that I’m married to a man who does not have to hunt in order to feel like a man.
I am wondering if the people that have made negative comments about running
hounds in a fox pen have ever even been on a hunt in an enclosure before; because, it sure does not sound like it. Hunting in a fox pen is all about the dogs.They don’t even take guns on these hunts. The theory to fence in large blocks of land was to be able to keep the dogs from getting lost or run over, and to keep them from trespassing on land that they were not wanted on. The fenced in areas are so large it has no affect on the race what so ever. It is fair chase and dog hunting is a hunting tradition that is loved and cherished by alot of us hunters here in the south. It is a form of hunting that can be shared by the whole family, we raise these dogs from pups and we get to enjoy them not only as pets but hunting partners also. This deal with the fox pens I guarantee you is backed some way by anti-hunters and their goal is not to only eliminate dog hunting but all hunting in general. Now is the time for all hunters to ban together !!!
Walnut hill Resident,
I agree with you completely. Two months ago right after a heavy rain, I had let my dogs out around 2:00 a.m. They immediately got into a fight with another, I thought dog, that had gotten into my backyard – 5 foot chainlink fence with an electric line running around the bottom. I ran out , and was able to pull my female boxer off the other ‘dog’. Turns out the other ‘dog’ was a coyote, As soon as I grabbed my male boxer the coyote took off towards the part of the fence he had dug under. I assumed he would not come back. Wrong. I have had coyotes on the outside of my fence several times since trying to fight my dogs through the fence. The only thing that is keeping mine in is the electric fence, which doesn’t necessarily keep the coyotes out. I assume if I had shot the coyote while it was in my backyard, I could be accused of penning it up and letting my dogs run it!
Do any of you have a mental conception of how big 200 acres is? Take away the idea of a “pen”– where you can see one side from the other– and the image of a poor “defenseless” fox –and think 200 acres where the fox can outsmart the dog most of the time. After all–that fox knows every nook and cranny of the 200 acres –it is his home. The dogs just showed up a few minutes before the chase. Foxes are “foxy”– much smarter than a dog –they know where the fence is–they are equipped by nature to protect themselves from predators –the hunt is just “another day ” in the life of that animal–just like it would be in the “wild 200 acres” they would live on naturally –with your back-yard FIDO going after him as he walks across your field. The fox wont get away because he has 500 more acres to run to. He will get away one acre over –because he is smarter and faster than the dog. The sport is to find a smart dog in the bunch–maybe almost “smart as a fox”.
Well said Washoo 14. I agree 100%!
I agree with Robert.The sport of hunting with dogs in general is becoming illegal.If anyone thinks that hunting with dogs is unsportsmanlike I invite you to try it.More often than not the game escapes unharmed.It’s about the chase and comrodery between fellow hunters and family,not the killing thats just an added bonus when someone can bag a big buck that is normally nocturnal.
well masek:
I agree with you in everything you said…..
Okay, “fox penning” is not HERITAGE or TRADITION, “fox HUNTING” is HERITAGE or TRADITION. Penning has only been around since the 80’s. These pens should be shut down due to the cruelty factor alone, bottom line. You want to chase a fox or coyote, go ahead knock yourself out, just do it OUTSIDE in the OPEN, where fair chase comes into play. It doesn’t take a genius to know what happens to the animals that get trapped along the fence line after being chased by a pack of dogs. Escape areas are great, but most of the time they are blocked to “prolong” the chase. I am a hunter, registered Republican, and card carrying NRA member and this type of “sport” gives the rest of the real hunters a bad name.
If the fox pen is shut down, what happens to the coyotes. Being they are a nuisance animal, will they be destroyed? Not much choice in that scenerio either.
Fox hunting is one of the oldest sports in the world. It isn’t about the catching of the fox. It is all about the chase and listening to your dogs run. Very few get caught in open fox chase areas. It is like coon hunting with your dogs at night. The coon hardly ever gets killed but, the sound of the dogs on the chase is what the coon hunter wants to hear. The fox in our area are beautiful little critters and I don’t want to see them killed myself. Now as for as the coyote is concered I really have no love for these killers myself. They will attack your livestock newborns and kill them. They have been known to attack childern out in yards and your dogs and cats. I for one have had a dog I loved very much killed by these very same coyotes that roam around our area. I will shoot them ever time I get a chance even if I am deer hunting or bird hunting. I am also not for hunting behind fences but , for the fox hunter it has come to this or not have any place for them to run their dogs and hunt. I for one will not judge the people that have to resort to this type of hunting because I know how much hunting means to me and my grandsons. They have no other way to enjoy their sport anymore. Yes I believe it is a sport for them and I remember nights years ago when I would sit out in rural Alabama and listen to the hounds chase coons and fox. So to each their own idea of what hunting is.
re: *Just me*…As far as imposing pain and suffering for human entertainment ……..how does one explain boxing or the Ultimate Fighting Championship?
Let’s see, I know this might be difficult to follow…Humans have a choice to fight each other. The coyotes and foxes do NOT have a choice.
just like dog hunting for deer they are going to try and take all hunting away eventually.
I agree.
I live close to the ‘fox pen’ in Walnut Hill and know the owner and his wife. I don’t think this pen is for killing of foxes or coyotes,but rather for training of young dogs to run, which(in my opinion) is a sport. If the dogs or a hunter killed the coyote at the end of the day, the owner would be constantly be replacing the coyote’s, and that is not happening. I ride by and see coyotes all the time in the 200+ acre pen and they are not just trying to escape the confines of the fence. I’ve seen people’s pets that are treated worse.
I’m not strong for or against the ‘fox pen’ but I think that some people get pre-conceived ideas about something they don’t like and will stop at nothing to elimate it.
As far as imposing pain and suffering for human entertainment ……..how does one explain boxing or the Ultimate Fighting Championship?
“But we must consider the concept of ‘fair chase,’ and I am not sure chasing coyotes and foxes in an enclosure meets that standard of hunting – a standard that is important to preserving hunting in the future.”
Well said! Now let’s get rid of the sport of chasing deer with dogs, high-fence hunts and hunting over planted food plots.
Real hunters scout areas for months prior to season opening, monitor game movement and formulate a plan to try to outsmart their quarry.
If you are pursuing game inside of a high fence area, over the top of a food plot or shooting deer as the dogs chase them by, you are not hunting, harvesting maybe, but you definitely should not be calling yourself a hunter.
disgusting “sport”. time to re-think your tradition and move on to something more civilized.
im very glad that this particular practice of “hunting” is being looked in to…especially, in light of the enviromental risks associated by those who would “import” these animals into our state…isnt this referred to as “canned” hunting” (but w/dogs) in some states?..im all for hunting, out in the open fields and the deep woods…i understand that the populations of some animals, like deer and hogs, must be kept in check…but, this does not meet that criteria…to me, its more alligned w/the illegal “sport” of cock fighting…imposing pain/suffering on animals for human entertainment, and so called “sport”.