Fox bounty claims 2500 scalps as South Australia aims to reduce the introduced species’ effects on drought-hit farms

A $10 bounty on fox scalps has led to 2500 being handed in under a project to reduce the pest on SA farms – with one region a standout.

A BOUNTY encouraging the killing of foxes on South Australian farms has led to almost 2500 scalps being handed in for payment.

The state government offered people $10 for each fox scalp, with 33 people claiming the money so far.

Collection days have been held for nine regional centres so far and Primary Industries Minister David Basham expects the number of scalps handed in to grow as more regions are covered.

“Foxes prey on newborn lambs, calves, kid goats and poultry and every pest fox which we can remove is a preventive measure for our farmers,” he said.

The government announced the $220,000 program in August.

Foxes were introduced to Australia in the mid 1800s for “recreational hunting”.

“Returns were varied across the state with the Limestone Coast region having the most fox scalps,” Mr Basham said.

“The feedback in most areas was that many people are collecting scalps and we expect to see a strong return across the state at the next round of collection days.”

More are planned at the SA Arid Lands Pastoral Field Day in Port Augusta next month, and field days in Lucindale and Karoonda in March and April.

Livestock producers with a property identification code can claim the bounty for each scalp taken to a collection point.

A minimum of 10 scalps and a maximum of 100 per property can be presented at each collection day and properties can claim up to a maximum of 300 per year. The fox bounty is running in addition to baiting programs and will be available for two years or until the funding runs out.

Foxes were introduced to Australia in the mid 1800s for “recreational hunting”.

For information on the bounty, visit pir.sa.gov.au/fox-bounty.