Foxes in PA are on the decline because of rabies and being displaced by coyotes which are bigger, more agressive and seek the same habitat.
A few years ago I was following an abandon railroad track near my house and found a dead red fox. It was in the fall when their fur is primo and the carcass was in perfect condition. Since there was no clue as to the cause of death, I brought it home and called the Game Commision to see if they wanted to check it out. No.
I buried it but saved that gorgeous tail and hung it over one of my work benchs down cellar. A couple of weeks later I discovered the cats had used it for a punching (clawing) bag, stripping half the hair off. Damnit.
