Mason, I am south of you in Spalding county and am quite familiar with our fox populations. They are doing quite well as shown by the recent outbreak of rabies in the Metro. In the predator and mezopredator species disease tends to be the limiting factor in population control and when one sees an outbreak it is almost always an indicator of high population numbers. Among the canines (coyote/fox) the main culprit is sarcoptic mange, which I see on a regular basis throughout the metro area. In raccoons and to a lesser degree in the fox it's distemper, which I have not seen in years due to the low population numbers of raccoon in this area. Very rarely will one see an out break of feline paraluekemia in our bobcats due to their solitary habits (not low numbers as we have our share) but in feral house cats it is a major killer due to their colony type habits.
Rabies is just one of many diseases added into the mix and lke I said when it shows up it will sweep through all of our predator and mezopredator species whose numbers are high or those that vcome into contact with infect individuals. So far this year I have seen reported both red and grey fox, raccoon, feral house cats, coyotes and skunk. The normal course for the disease is to see increased cases risinf in the spring and erly summer (as it did here) due to infection during winter denning and late winter breeding season bringing infected animals in contact with non infected with the disease burning through a population into the denning baby rearing season and tapering off into the fall and winter as the animals disperse in late summer. Then depending on populations and lingering vector sources it may reemerge the following season, though usually to a lesser degree. It waits to be seen what next spring brings us.
I fear that this may end up being a recurring theme throughout the metro due to the artificial conditions we have created that support these animals. Our urban habitats have become a mecca for these animals as our practices are creating ample habitat and food source opportunities for them.
I hate to give suggestions for you considering the line of work that I'm in, I am a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator, and the kneejerk reaction is CALL ME. On the real side of things I or someone like me would be more than glad to come up there and set traps for these animals and I can promise you if I set out to catch them I will but the fact remains that without addressing the habitat and foodsources issues I would only be removing easily replaced animals. Ooops, there I go shooting down business but that's the gold plated truth. Now if you would like I can offer to help you address the issues that the fox are finding attractive in your area. First thing that comes to mind is that grey fox are a creature of brushy areas whereas reds like the open country (I regularly trap them off of golf courses). Both species of fox are rodent hunters so try to locate the possible rodents in your area with an idea to eliminating them. The short list of rodents common in this are are Roof rats (often found in or around structures especially in the upper areas), wood rats, white footed mice, voles (two species), various new world rats and mice such as the hispid cotton and old field mice, moles (not a rodent but included here as a food source).
Consider too, that when addressing rodents they too have their own habitat and foodsource issues to contend with. Long and short of it is to consider the holistic approach to wildlife control or you may be setting out on a never ending quest to shoot everything that moves.
Of course that said if you so desire I am quite capable of catching these fox so give me a call sometime, LOL Seriously I will be glad to discuss this if you want I only charge for services that burn gas, talk is free.
In the meantime keep your small pets up, quit feeding dogs and cats on the outside and if you do remove the feed at night, seal your garbage cans tight or better yet keep them inside until collection day, take down the bird feeders (remember the rodents?), and everytime a predator is seen be sure to instill the fear of God in them by being the dominant predator that we are. Good luck.