Autumn fox control across Eyre Peninsula

To help with fox control, the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board will hold fox bait distribution sessions across the region from late February to the end of March.

At these distribution sessions, the 1080 frozen meat baits that have been prepared by landscape board staff along with other products, can be purchased at a 20% discount.

Landscape Officer Ben Tucker says during autumn, the mobility and high numbers of foxes make it an ideal time for control activities.

“At the beginning of autumn is when fox numbers are usually at their highest as young foxes (born in spring) disperse from their dens and explore new territory,” Mr Tucker says.

“Our coordinated baiting program aligns with this dispersal and we strongly encourage landholders across Eyre Peninsula to start baiting at this time to create a buffer before their first lambs (or lambs on neighbouring properties) hit the ground.

“By having an established fox baiting program in place early in autumn or before lambing begins, the survival rate of livestock is generally improved. 

“We encourage landholders with livestock to be proactive rather than reactive. We find that if a baiting program only starts when lambs have already dropped, it can be too late and there’s a higher risk of losing livestock.”

The Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board says fox baiting should be used as part of an integrated approach to fox management. Landholders are encouraged to talk to their local landscape officers about integrated control options. 

When three or more neighbours get together for a coordinated baiting program at any time during the year, a 20% discount also applies to baiting products.

While the fox bait distribution days support baiting during autumn, baits are available year-round from local offices. Baiting in late winter and early spring when fox populations may be at their lowest, just before breeding and followed by a time of high food demand when young cubs are being reared, can also be effective in reducing numbers.

As well as livestock, native animals, birds and reptiles also fall prey to foxes. The Invasive Species Council estimates that foxes kill about 300 million native animals every year and that as many as 16 mammals have become extinct - mainly or partly because of predation by foxes.

“Fox control isn’t just about the lambing benefits – it also provides a benefit to local native wildlife,” Mr Tucker says.

“On Eyre Peninsula, we see fox predation posing a key threat to many of our native species including echidnas, malleefowl and ground-nesting birds.

“So it’s not just landholders with stock who we encourage to bait – it’s all landholders (who meet the criteria) because foxes are everywhere across our region.”

Information for landholders for collection days:

• The 1080 meat baits are prepared by landscape board staff with eligible landholders able to purchase them for fox control for $1.60 per bait, with 20% off that.
• Land managers are reminded to bring along a bucket with a sealable lid when collecting baits or they are available to purchase.
• The baits are frozen semi dried meat which is required to be kept frozen until use.
• Land managers will also be required to provide the section numbers for the properties they intend to bait.
• If a landholder is intending to send a third party to collect their baits, please contact us in advance so that the correct paperwork can be completed and we are able to facilitate the distribution.
• Alternative commercially produced fox baits such as Foxoff may also be purchased at some distribution locations. Payment by EFTPOS is preferred.

Distribution dates and locations

• February 19
  -Smoky Bay, at the CFS shed, 9am
  -Mudamuckla, at the school, 2pm
  
• February 26
  -Waddikee, at the oval, 10am-12pm
  -Darke Peak, at the silos, 2-4pm
  -Elliston district, at Larry Honner’s shed, 5pm
  
• February 27
  -Kimba, north of the big galah (next to roadhouse), 10am-2pm
  
• March 3
  -Goode, at Warren Beattie’s farm house, 9am
  -Kyancutta at the oval, 10-11am
  -Cowell, at the silos, 10am-1pm
  -Charra, at the hall, 11am
  -Warramboo at the cricket club, 1-2pm
  
• March 4
  -Kaldoonera, at Poochera pub, 9.30am
  -Arno Bay, at the sporting bodies, 10am-1pm
  -Nunjikompita/Wirrulla, at Wirrulla Pub, 11.30am
  
• March 5
  -Calca, at Calca Bluff/Drinanvale Crossroads, 9.30am
  -Mangalo, at Cindy & Rod Hannemann’s farm, 10am-1pm
  -Tumby Bay office (25 West Tce), 10.30am-12.30pm
  -Port Lincoln office (86 Tasman Tce), 10.30am-12.30pm
  -Cummins oval (near the swimming pool entrance), 10.30am-12.30pm 
  -Inkster, at Hulls driveway, 11.30am
  -Chandada, 1.30pm
  
• March 6
  -Minnipa at the sports club, 10-11am 
  -Cleve, at our office (25 Fourth St), 10am-3pm
  -Mt Damper at CFS shed, 12-1pm
  
• March 10
  -Penong, at Westies tennis courts, 9am
  -Wudinna, at the landscape board depot (14 Coleman St), 2-3pm
  
• March 12
  -Haslam, at the CFS shed, 9.30am
  -Tumby Bay office (25 West Tce), 10.30am-12.30pm
  -Port Lincoln office (86 Tasman Tce), 10.30am-12.30pm
  -Cummins oval (near the swimming pool entrance), 10.30am-12.30pm
  -Streaky Bay at our depot (13 Bockelberg St), 11.30am
  
• March 19
  -Tumby Bay office (25 West Tce), 10.30am-12.30pm
  -Port Lincoln office (86 Tasman Tce), 10.30am-12.30pm
  -Cummins oval (near the swimming pool entrance), 10.30am-12.30pm
  
• March 26
  -Tumby Bay office (25 West Tce), 10.30am-12.30pm
  -Port Lincoln office (86 Tasman Tce), 10.30am-12.30pm
  -Cummins oval (near the swimming pool entrance), 10.30am-12.30pm
  
• Lock district – contact Ian Quinn 0427 261 793 to arrange collection in February-March