Travel and Outdoors

The Virginia Gray Fox Project collects trail-cam photos for wildlife research

Organizations throughout Virginia have contributed thousands of photos to the Virginia Gray Fox Project, and we picked our top 10 trail-cam moments.

December 8, 2025 • 
Ava Wojnowski, Elise Steele
A gray fox photographed on a trail camera, mid-walk through leaves in a wooded area.

VGFP aims to survey the suspected population decline of gray foxes, a native species to Virginia.

Photo via VGFP, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia DWR

Adorable animal pictures incoming — all thanks to the Virginia Gray Fox Project (VGFP).

About the project

In 2024, Virginia Tech and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources began surveying the distribution of the elusive gray fox using hundreds of trail cameras across the state.

This shows the total land coverage achieved by the end of the 2024 season.

This past July, Henrico and Chesterfield parks departments joined the search, contributing 5,600+ wildlife photos over the course of four season-shifting months. Wandering does, turkeys, blue jays, and opossums caught the camera’s eye.

Given the project’s namesake, you might be wondering, have there been any trail photos of gray foxes? Yes, quite a few, but primarily in Pulaski, Montgomery, Roanoke, Franklin, Bedford, and Floyd counties, according to VT News.

Two deer photographed from a trail camera, facing in the direction of each other; the deer are in a wooded area; the smaller deer on the left has one spots; the bigger deer on the right has no noticeable spots.

This moment between a doe and fawn was taken in Goyne Park, Chesterfield County.

Photo via Virginia Department of Wildlife

Next steps + how to support

The VGFP now prepares to enter its final field season in the summer of 2026, rounding out the state-wide search in Southeastern Piedmont and the Coastal Plain (both expanding outward of the Richmond area). Virginia Tech launched a fundraiser to support costs for equipment, field experiences, and researcher labor.

Folks within survey range can also apply to participate by filling out an online form. Participants can contribute their own trail camera footage or request trail camera installation.

Our top 10 trail-cam pics

For a little added fun, we searched through the VGFP’s posts to find 10 of our favorite trail-cam captures so far, sourced from parks, residents, and researchers from across the state. Sure, these photos may not all make it into National Geographic, but we make the rules here. Behold, our top 10:

A bear captured via trail cam climbs over a log or fallen tree on the ground; the photo is in black and white, taken at night.
1/10

Photo via VGFP, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia DWR

Two adult Canadian geese and four baby Canadian geese walking away from the camera in a forested area; Captured via trail camera.
2/10

Photo via VGFP, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia DWR

A red fox captured on a trail camera; the fox stands in the foreground of the image, looking in the direction of the camera; in the background in a meadow area with a horizon-view of mountains.
3/10

Photo via VGFP, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia DWR

A trail camera photograph of a cat, blurred and mostly out-of-frame sticking its nose up at the bottom of the frame; the background depicts a forested area.
4/10

Photo via VGFP, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia DWR

A coyote walking in the direction of a trail camera, central to the frame; the coyote walks through a green forested area.
5/10

Photo via VGFP, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia DWR

A barred owl captured via trail camera; the photo is taken in color; the own stands to the left of the frame, holding what VGFP officials identified as a salamander in its mouth.
6/10

Photo via VGFP, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia DWR

An American black bear captured on a trail camera; the bear stands in front of the frame, with a paw outstretched in front of the lens, partially covering its own face.
7/10

Photo via VGFP, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia DWR

Six deer captured via trail camera; the photo is in black and white; a blurred spideweb in the foreground partially covers the frame; one deer turns its head toward the camera, and its eyes glow.
8/10

Photo via VGFP, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia DWR

A bobcat captured on a trail camera, walking through a forested area; the forest is foggy, and leaves partially cover the ground.
9/10

Photo via VGFP, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia DWR

Two red foxed captured via trail camera; the photograph is in black and white; one fox holds a ball in its mouth, facing the camera; the other faces the first fox, front paws partially lifted off the ground; the foxes are in front of a wooden fence.
10/10

Photo via VGFP, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia DWR

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