1.   Shooting is often proposed as a method of controlling the fox population.

2.   The research also suggests that farmers overestimate the size of the fox population.

3.   Britain has the largest and most flourishing fox population in Europe.

4.   Farmers themselves will say there are better ways of controlling fox population.

5.   There is a very large gray fox population in Texas, especially the Hill Country, Fearneyhough says.

6.   Thousands of people protested, saying the sport is a humane way to control the fox population.

7.   Its defenders claim it is a central part of rural life and necessary to control the fox population and protect farm animals.