Fox

Students will:

• Identify the different kinds of fox found in the region and their physical characteristics. (K-3)

• Identify fox tracks. (K-3)

• Know the value and use of each kind of fox. (4-6)

• Be familiar with the habits of the fox: what it eats, where it can be found, behaviour, life stages. (K-6)

• How to trap fox. (6)

• How to skin, make stretchers, and dry the pelt. (6)

• Use fox fur to make crafts. (Rae-Edzo: headdress for dog harness out of fox tail.) (K-6)

• Know that the long hair of the fox is valued for its use as trim. It is not used for clothing because it is soft and tears easily. (4-6)

• Be familiar with the varying value of the pelt in the fur trade. (5-6)

• Be familiar with traditional snare and deadfall traps used to get fox. (5-6)

• Fox teeth were traditionally used as awls and for making snowshoes. (5-6)

• Know that tents should not be placed over fox dens for this can cause sickness. (5-6)

• Know that fox populations rise and fall in cycles. (5-6)

Experiences:

• Identify fox territory. (K-3)

• Identify tracks and other traces. (K-3)

• Make models of deadfall traps.

• Go on trapping trips. (4-6)

  • identify best place to set trap

  • learn to make bait

  • best time to trap

  • protocol of fox trapping

• Experience skinning fox. (4-6)

  • how to repair and prepare fox fur

• Make stretchers. (4-6)

• Go to local store or contact a fur auction and compare prices they will pay for pelt. (5-6)

• Invite game warden to speak about population trends. Also show and tell (e.g. samples of different types of fox furs). (5-6)

• Have elder or resource person come to class to talk about the fox: whether we can eat it, what its behaviours are, tips on trapping, stories about fox trapping. (K-6)