fox problem

Feidhlim Dignan

had a fox come into the yard today and kill to tukeys he looked young an i saw one a feild away two days a go maybe the same one. i have a shotgun and can get a lamp what is the best way to get him any ideas

4gun

do you have a gun? if not get some one you know that has one to deal with it other wise buy a larsen trap

tikkamark

If your not far from me i could sort him/her for you either with .223 or terriers.Im in meath.

johngalway

I've been out shooting with Mark, take him up on his offer, he knows what he's at

(€10 to the usual address please ).

If that don't work out. 36 gram BB's, windy night.

You say he came in around sheds, chances are he'll do so again. I'd hang around them for a couple of nights, stay in the shadows as the moon is pretty big all the time.

Be aware not to light yourself up with lamp light that get's reflected off walls, hedges and such. Also be aware not to silhouette yourself against the crest of a hill framed by a light sky or lights, Mr. Fox will see you.

I say windy night as with a shotgun you're going to need to get within 40 yards of him with the shotgun to ensure a clean kill. The wind masks some noise you'll make moving about. Wear quiet clothing, and if you bring your battery in a backpack make sure to cut off any zipper jingly handles.

What else, right, the wind, as much as possible keep the wind in your face, blowing from the fox to you. At worst have it blowing across you. Either way try not to get into a position where the fox will get your scent on the wind, he'll be gone.

The particular fox may try to "wind" you if he thinks the lamp is suspect, by traveling in a wide circle around you to get your scent.

Foxes are creatures of habit, they will use the same paths regularly around the same time. So if you spot him and don't manage to get him, note the time and +/- 30 minutes he'll be there again another night would be my thoughts.

Golden rule is don't shoot unless you're sure of a kill. A lot of bull**** floats around that if you fire at him in field A he'll never want to return to field A again, that's absolute nonsense. You don't want a lamp shy fox. That said, if the oppertunity to shoot him comes, take it.

Judging distance at night can be deceiving so in the daytime take a walk about, look at a feature on the farm and guess how far it is from you, then pace it out. Paces aren't exact but they're close enough when you're talking 40 yards or so.

So you're out with your gun and your lamp, in the dark and cold, what next?

Patience is a blessing, most likely you'll need a lot of it.

If you see him coming in towards you, wait, see what he's going to do. If it's a case he doesn't notice you and will walk right up to you great, shoot him.

There's NO NEED to blind him. If you shine your lamp onto something you see the bright spot in the middle and the rest of the lighted area called the halo. The halo is dead handy, you can use this to keep track of your fox without spooking him too much. If there's a super bright spot zapping him in the eyeballs all the time he's not going to feel too comfortable.

When he gets within range, drop the spot onto him and BANG.

If he veers off, think first, what is the wind doing? Am I OK to walk over that way without him smelling/seeing/hearing me? So it's good to take active notice of your surroundings and how they can either cover you or betray you.

The best sound to make to stop a fox is a yap like a terrier, or meow like a cat. Sounds like that will make him go "What?", that gives you an opportunity. I've stopped the same fox several times using animal type sounds.

Oh yes, one important thing. If he's moving when you shoot him, keep swinging your gun. If you stop the swing when you pull the trigger you're more likely to wound him behind rather than spraying all his body with pellets.

Best position to shoot a fox is having him side on, meaning you can see from his head to his tail. Always, always, always be ready to give him that second barrel, if he doesn't go down straight away or if he so much as twitches after the first shot, shoot again.

Probably left loads out.

Good luck


Ps...

These nights are pretty bright, which isn't good for shotgunning, windy dark nights are a lot better.

Two sites which come in handy are..

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?obj=moon&n=78

http://www.met.ie/forecasts/regional.asp

Dusty87

Feidhlim Dignan wrote: »

had a fox come into the yard today and kill to tukeys he looked young an i saw one a feild away two days a go maybe the same one. i have a shotgun and can get a lamp what is the best way to get him any ideas

If he's young you might get him close enough for the shotgun. But rifle is best. As tikka said if your in meath he can sort it. If your in offaly, westmeath or laois, or around there i could be of help. If you do venture out wit the shotgun make sure you have someone on the lamp who knows what there at. All the best.

4gun

johngalway if you ever write a book on ypur exploits as a shooter let us know:)

johngalway

Guaranteed to send insomniac shooters to the land of nod

Terrier

Shot 3 last week for a fella who had also lost a turkey and a few ducks..
That time of year again when they start getting hungry.

Shot 4 last night, all came like trains to the caller.

If your in the Galway\Clare area I could probably help you out.

jimbo 22

What type of caller / sounds are you using terrier?

Electronic or old school way

Terrier

jimbo 22 wrote: »

What type of caller / sounds are you using terrier?

Electronic or old school way

Depends on the night\time of year\livestock in the area really,

Currently have a CD of everything from rabbit, turkey, hens, duck all kinda distress which is working well. Just stick the required track on repeat

Have a Tecnoest Electronic caller also

Still find the aeroboard on the windscreen the best for getting there attention.

Use the rabbit in areas where there are rabbits, poultry calls where poultry are and so on.

dlofnep

What about an ultrasonic deterrant: http://www.foxdeterrents.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10

Cheap enough, save you have to resorting to killing every fox in the area. If animals are hungry, they will eat. Something tells me that your problem won't be resolved by removing this one fox.

Hibrion

When u (or anyone else) get him, try a bit of fox proofing/deterrent to keep them away from the turkeys etc. A dog in the yard is a good start and some human hair around where you keep the turkeys (the scent keeps them away). With the hens at home we roofed the enclosure with wire and made sure the fence was at least two or three feet in the ground; we havn't lost a chicken yet.;)

CJhaughey

Good Post Hibrion
I have poultry and apart from one hen I haven't lost any to foxes.
If you have an electric fence energizer I recommend getting some of the electrified netting, it works very well to stop animals getting in.
It is not too expensive and is very easy to work with.

meathstevie

dlofnep wrote: »

What about an ultrasonic deterrant: http://www.foxdeterrents.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10

Cheap enough, save you have to resorting to killing every fox in the area. If animals are hungry, they will eat. Something tells me that your problem won't be resolved by removing this one fox.

If they're as good as the so called rodent deterrants the fox will be throwing his 21st birthday party in your henhouse.

There's also the cost ; deterrant as advertised €60, .223 bullet or heavy load cartridge €.50

johngalway

meathstevie wrote: »

If they're as good as the so called rodent deterrants the fox will throwing his 21st birthday party in your henhouse.

There's also the cost ; deterrant as advertised €60, .223 bullet or heavy load cartridge €.50

Lamping buddy was just telling me the last day how his sister got two electronic rat thingies to keep them away. Said that the shed never had so many rats in it as the first night they turned it on, so they sent them back for a full refund.

I told him that was an awful mistake as he should have put in for an air rifle and gone looking for a terrier

Feidhlim Dignan

wow thanks for all the help lads. mark i think im a bit out of you way down in cork. ill hav go and see what turns up and let you know

CJhaughey

I am in W.Cork PM me if you need to give him some .243 meds;)

maglite

Do you want to narrow down where in cork.

I'm only on .22 but its silenced and if we are speaking in a yard environs it will do the job.

johngalway

There'll be a bidding war for this fox next

Feidhlim Dignan

didnt get him lads took the lamp out friday night saw 11 in three hours shot none

CJhaughey

Feidhlim Dignan wrote: »

didnt get him lads took the lamp out friday night saw 11 in three hours shot none

Your job just got a lot harder, educated foxes are much more difficult to shoot.;)

Dusty87

Hibrion wrote: »

When u (or anyone else) get him, try a bit of fox proofing/deterrent to keep them away from the turkeys etc. A dog in the yard is a good start and some human hair around where you keep the turkeys (the scent keeps them away). With the hens at home we roofed the enclosure with wire and made sure the fence was at least two or three feet in the ground; we havn't lost a chicken yet.;)

Bar the dog is out free it wont bother the fox. I put the dog in at night just incase he strays after sheep or somethin. Iv seen fox **** not ten yards from his run, and lit up foxes in the yard. The human hair dosn work either. They might be weary the first night but wil get used to it in no time. I think your good record is due to a good run and not human hair:):)

Feidhlim Dignan

i have a dog a lab x collie and shell go for a fox like a hound she just wasnt around and ive a spaniel but shes in a run.

brieny1000

there is a fella in ross who will help ya out, pm if yer interested

Feidhlim Dignan

wats his name might nohim

brieny1000

sent pm
dont want to post names

johngalway

CJhaughey wrote: »

Your job just got a lot harder, educated foxes are much more difficult to shoot.;)

Only if he shot at him If he got winded, mostly they'll just be a little more wary next time instead of being get out of Dodge shy, in my experience.