Illinois wildlife officials have announced an indefinite suspension of hunting and trapping seasons for gray fox. This decision follows a steady drop in the gray fox population, as indicated by recent surveys conducted over the past ten years. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says the closure is a protective measure to help the species recover, and they plan to continue monitoring the population and conducting further research. This is the first time in recent history that such restrictions have been put in place for gray fox in the state, underscoring growing concerns over their declining numbers.
Visit https://dnr.illinois.gov for more information.