Have You Ever Seen a Gray Fox in Michigan? The DNR Wants Pics

I'll admit it...I had no idea gray foxes were even a thing. I always just assumed every fox I saw was a red fox. Turns out Michigan has gray foxes too, and now the DNR is asking people to help track them down.

Wildlife officials say they're much rarer than anyone thought, so if you've ever seen one, they want to know about it. If you've got a picture from a trail cam, Ring doorbell, security camera, or even your phone, that's even better.

Gray Fox Sightings Needed Across Michigan

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One thing that surprised me is that these foxes aren't always deep in the woods. The DNR says they often hang around garages, sheds, and neighborhoods near wooded areas. So there's a chance you've seen one without even realizing it.

See Also: The One Bird at Your Bird Feeder You Can Legally Kill in Michigan

If you think you have, you can report it through the Michigan DNR's Eyes in the Field program. If you've got a picture, even better.

How to Identify a Gray Fox in Michigan

Gray foxes are a little smaller than red foxes and have a salt-and-pepper gray face and body, reddish fur on their neck, cheeks, and legs, and a black stripe running down the top of their tail.

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But here's the dead giveaway...they can climb trees. Seriously. They're one of the only members of the dog family that can do it. So if you ever see a fox up in a tree, you're probably looking at a gray fox.