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State To Decide Future Of Florida’s Last Fox Pen In Walnut Hill
September 1, 2010
State wildlife officials will consider a rule this week that would spell a permanent end to fox pens in Florida — the last of which was located in Walnut Hill.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider the rule during a three day session at Pensacola Beach. The new rule, if approved, will prohibit the taking of fox or coyote by a dog or dogs within an enclosure.
The FWC shut down the Shady Oaks Fox Pen at 4000 South Highway 99 in Walnut Hill back in February when the commission voted to temporarily prohibit the chasing of foxes and coyotes in enclosures. The FWC did not accuse 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.
The FWC meetings will be at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front, 12 Via de Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach. Meetings begin at 8:30 each day and are open to the public.
Pictured: A fence surrounds the Shady Oaks Fox Pen on South Highway 99 near Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
14 Responses to “State To Decide Future Of Florida’s Last Fox Pen In Walnut Hill”
Here is yet another example of people not understanding the sport behind fox hunting. NO guns or traps are used in the fox pens and the animals are not killed like “ducks in a barrell.” I am ashamed to see the other states trying to do away with heritage. This is not some dog fighting ring like Michael Vick was running.
Are we going to do away with the American flag?? I don’t think so. Heritage should remain and lets focus on the hate that is occuring in the country as opposed to things that have been around for years.
As a young boy 70 years ago I enjoyed fox and coon hunting with my father. I grew up to take my, grandsons and great grandsons hunting. Could you tell me who is going to pay for the over population of the fox, coyotes and coons. I never let my dogs kill the animals. I have hunting at the fox pens in Alabama in later years. I am greatful at the age of 80 that I got to share this with my grandchildren. I have no more dogs and am not able to hunt anymore. I wanted the boys to see that that were more in life than playing video games, texing, and hanging out on the street coner. What would happen years ago if we were not able to hunt.. I believe many people would have starve to death. The animals that are not allowed to be hunted now are coming closer into populate Iareas looking for food.. I see them almost ever night in my back yard.
I agree with Oversight. Why is this being held at Pensacola Beach and wasting taxpayers money? What will 3 days at the beach cost us? They didn’t even wait until after the holiday weekend to get better rates. Too much government waste. We are all expected to cut back our budgets yet if the government wants to spend more money they just come up with more fees such as the rediculous permit fees on top of hunting licenses so they can come up with new ways to spend more to charge us more again next year. Our government is out of control!
AND, they are having it at Pensacola Beach becuase they know a lot of us that live out here in the country don’t care too much about going to the beach and may not make the drive to show any objection to this.
Typical political ploy! They don’t get it. Like someone else said it’s about the dogs the pen owners don’t want their fox or what ever killed it cost them to much to replace. On the other had the owners are providing a venue for the people who want to run their dogs which is a very good thin it after all had been a part of hunting tradition for too many years to just brush it under the rug and now say it’s wrong. Just my humble opinion. By the way I do not run dogs nor do I hunt very often. But as a kid on a farm I did a lot of it and we enjoyed it. When we kiled something like a deer or turkey it was not for the sport of it it was to fill our tummys.
Question:::::::::
I am not a hunter. I have nothing against hunting but I do think the animals should have a 50/50 chance. I agree that when in an enclosure it is like shooting ducks in a barrel.
Where does the owner of the facility get the fox and coyote’s in the first place? And in an enclosed area how is the fox or coyote supposed to get to safety? They certainly can’t climb a tree. I don’t think much of anything can outrun a pack of frenzied dogs.
Why hunt with dogs anyway? Never understood that! To me you are not hunting, you are just trailing a bunch of dogs. Hunting should be when you actually go out in the woods and hunt for signs of activity then try to find what it is you are hunting. Sportsmanship??? “One who plays fairly & wins or loses gracefully”. It is a shame we can’t train the fox and coyotes to chase the people hunting. But you would have an advantage, you could climb a tree!
Okay, take the fence down, lease at least 1000 acres and let the dogs chase the fox.
THIS PEN IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED! Tallahassee has been notified so they can just quit debating the issue. D. J. Stuckey
Hunting with dogs in a caged in area where there is no escape for the fox is just stupid and shows the lack of concern for any animal’s well being. Good job to close this useless fox pen!!
this is not fair for the people who love to here the sound of the dogs running
the dogs love it and we do to this should be voted on by the people
DONT STOP THE HERATAGE!!!!!!!!
RE: Oversight
Because there is no sand or bars in a Government building.
Bob,
You don’t understand. They don’t hunt the fox to kill them. It’s about the dogs. Pens like this are used to run dogs in. The dogs seldom catch the fox . In fact, the pen owners do not want their game killed – it’s expensive.
What enjoyment could anyone get from hunting anything inside a 200 acre enclosed area. Goes back to the old adage, it’s like shooting tied ducks in a barrel. I am a hunter also,but lets face it, give everything a sporting chance.
the new liscense change is stupid also. first you buy a hunting liscense then you have to buy a permit for anything you want to hunt except squirrels and rabbits. you would think as much money that is generated by hunting they would lesson the fees instead of increase them. i hunt both in Alabama and Florida and spend well over 3 grand to do so. like most people that i know we spend a lot of money to be able to enjoy the outdoors.
Here’s another example of more waste and extravagance at the hands of government bureaucrats. Just how much this meeting at the beach is costing us and why can’t the meeting be held in a government building that has already been bought and paid for with our tax dollars?