Exhibitor Gary Bryant said the fox problem was out of control across rural NSW, with foxes responsible for killing stock on sheep properties and killing chickens and poultry, affecting the livelihoods of landholders.

Mr Bryant set up a petition at his exhibition site at Borenore calling for the federal government to reinstate the fox bounty.

He said it was a sign local landholders supported the cause that 93 people had signed the petition two hours into the second day of the field days.

 “No matter what show we go to, people complain about foxes, wild dogs and feral cats,” Mr Bryant said.

”Particularly on smaller properties where people are trying to raise sheep and chickens, foxes are wreacking havoc.”

He said in the first instance landholders should get licensed, get a proper firearm and adequate firearm training, and learn to shoot the foxes themselves.

However, he said a bounty would give more incentive to recreational hunters and other landholders who may not have sheep or poultry to also target foxes.

“The alternative is to keep dropping thousands of toxic and poisonous baits into the environment that will have a limited effect,” Mr Bryant said.

The petition has been running for 18 months and will be presented to the federal government before Christmas.

tanya.marschke@fairfaxmedia.com.au