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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Arctic foxes are more visible this year in Beaufort Delta communities, but does not, the government says, mean the population is up.

Residents of Tuktoyaktuk, Sachs Harbour and Paulatuk have reported seeing more of the animals around and have reported more incidents of them bothering dogs and getting into garbage.

Red fox populations seem to be going up this year, trending behind the rabbit population. - Brodie Thomas/NNSL photo

Tuk Elder Jim Raddi said they are brazenly walking through his community.

"I have never seen so much foxes going back and forth in my life," he said.

Sachs Harbour SAO Raymond Kaslak reported a problem with the foxes getting into garbage around the Bank's Island community.

Inuvik superintendent for the Department of Wildlife and Natural Resources Ron Morrison said the appearance of more Arctic foxes in town is not necessarily a sign of high populations. After speaking with elders in Sachs Harbour, Morrison believes foxes may be coming into town because of a shortage of prey.

Earlier in the fall, Sachs Harbour experienced an early snowfall followed by rain.

"What people are thinking is that the rain froze a lot of the lemmings in, which is the normal diet for an Arctic fox," said Morrison.

The shortage of food has driven the foxes into town to look for other food.

Morrison said people in all Northern communities should be wary of any fox they encounter.

They can carry rabies without showing symptoms. He said loose dogs are also a huge risk for spreading rabies and he is asking people to keep their dogs under control.

Keeping garbage and dog food contained will discourage foxes from coming into town.

"If there is nothing there for them to get into, they'll just keep on going," said Morrison.

Meanwhile below the treeline, the red fox population does appear to be spiking following a spike in the rabbit population.

"Last year you would've been hard pressed to see a rabbit track and this year they're everywhere," said Morrison.

Higher numbers could be good news for trappers in the area. Jim Gibb, director of public relations for Fur Harvesters Auction Inc., said he is optimistic about the coming season, despite the possibility of a recession. Although luxury items are usually the first to take a hit during economic downturns Northern furs are always in demand on the world market.

"When you're talking Northern furs it is always limited quantity and you're talking about the best in the world," said Gibb.

Last season Arctic fox pelts were auctioning at an average price of $23, with some going for as much as $50.

He said neither a spike in the population nor an economic recession could seriously drive down the prices on most Northern furs such as beaver, fox, and wolverine.

He is more concerned about the price of common furs such as raccoon in the new year.