An eye opening eggsperience

johngalway

The end of this report contains graphic images.

It has not been the nicest of days. Bucketing it down in fits and starts. I've spent the day semi drenched sorting out sheep and lambs after a wire gap opened, God knows how. I was still thinking about the night before, wondering if that was 2 or 3 foxes that I'd seen. Either way my phone beeps and I'm informed about another missing hen in less than 160 characters.

Back home, farting around the interweb for a while, I check on the weather. There's supposed to be a spell of dry, I say dry, they say heavy showers, weather moving in from the Atlantic after dark, it'll do. But, what time will it come as these foxes seem to be on the job early enough, so there's a little nervous waiting in store.

After a hefty and definitely unhealthy dinner to keep me warm, washed down by a mug of tea, it's time to go hunting. What a difference from last night, when God had a spotlight turned against the world. It's heavily overcast, comparatively warm, not much of a breeze though, great night for waiting out on a hillside.

I'm not two minutes on my perch, keeping watch on the valley opposite when there's a glint of an eye low and to my left, less than 100 yards from me. Here we go. I turn the rifle on the grass and crawl in behind it attaching the lamp. Here's the problem with this place, there's my fox only his head visible above some dead rushes, with a hill to his right and a dip to his left. For about one second I've the crosshairs planted on his forehead. I don't honestly like head shots, so I instinctively hold off waiting for a neck shot. And he's dropped the shoulder and away behind the hill to his right... I can't see him now but he goes below the farm house, through some trees, over the lane way and I pick him up 200 yards away again heading into more thick stuff. I could have shot him, Texas heart shot style but I don't believe my little .223 is up to that particular task on a fox sized animal. Your card is marked friend.

About 90 minutes pass, I'm kept amused watching the sparse traffic on the roads below, and doing my best to turn each sheep's eye into a fox's eye. There's nothing particularly interesting to keep an eye on, no shooting stars or big moon or frost glittering like last night. Just me, the dark, and the sheep. I may have said too much...

BING! Gone.

What the hell? That was a fox. Had to be. Where is he? I search the valley opposite. Doubts start to creep in, no, maybe a hare? Maybe my mind playing tricks on me? No, no, no, I did see something! I know I did.

BING! Ahhhhhh, got you now. takes me a few seconds to pick out the fox shape in the scope. It's looking at something on the ground. I'm higher up, so I've a lovely vantage point, this time a head shot is definitely on the cards. As the rifle pushes against me I can see the fox violently swatted to it's right, and thump! That'll do.

Dog fox, 160 yards, some mange on him. About 20 yards uphill from where I shot him I found an egg, clearly broken by teeth, and a fox scat beside it.

CJhaughey

Looks like he has a headache.;)

clivej

Good shooting John, is that one you left lasr night?

Question - Do you believe that a fox will do "the rounds". In that if you wait a while they came back and repeat their tour and do this for the night?

johngalway

honest answer Clive is I'm not sure. I did wonder that myself tonight, whether if I hung around would the early fox come back and I might have a sec... OK, third bite at the cherry.

What I do know, for sure, is they're creatures of habit who will travel roughly the same paths each night within an hour or 90 minutes.

It could have been the one I left last night, or the early one could have been that fox, or they could have been the same fox.

Confused yet?

And no, cheeky git they weren't my new boots last night

tikkamark

John your a machine:D

Your write-ups are a joy to read to see how others are getting on when ya cant get out yourself:)

Its throwing it down here tonight..typical!

johngalway

Check the Met Eireann site Mark, the spell of dry we had tonight is likely heading your way?

Clare Bear

Jesus are you allowed to put photos like that up here???

And I'm in no way giving out about hunting or anything of the like, whatever you're in to, just didn't realise you could post photos like that?

johnner1

Clare Bear wrote: »

Jesus are you allowed to put photos like that up here???

And I'm in no way giving out about hunting or anything of the like, whatever you're in to, just didn't realise you could post photos like that?

like what.

great stuff john keep it up

Clare Bear

johnner1 wrote: »

like what.

great stuff john keep it up

Just so graphic. Just didn't realise photos like that could be posted on here that's all, it's not an attack, just a query.

Edit: Just looked at a few more threads in here, obviously you are, fair enough.

johngalway

Clare Bear wrote: »

Jesus are you allowed to put photos like that up here???

And I'm in no way giving out about hunting or anything of the like, whatever you're in to, just didn't realise you could post photos like that?

I've just read the Hunting forum charter, I see no mention of photos in there, good, bad or indifferent. Anyway, I did write at the top that this report contains graphic images.

All that has happened there is the pressure wave from the bullet entering the skull has had to exit somewhere, first place of least resistance will always be the eyes. The rest of the damage is caused by the fragmentation of the ballistic tipped bullet. It's an extremely humane way to cull a fox, even though it looks how it does, the fox, once hit, is 100% dead there and then, no suffering what so ever I can assure you of that.

Clare Bear

johngalway wrote: »

I've just read the Hunting forum charter, I see no mention of photos in there, good, bad or indifferent. Anyway, I did write at the top that this report contains graphic images.

All that has happened there is the pressure wave from the bullet entering the skull has had to exit somewhere, first place of least resistance will always be the eyes. The rest of the damage is caused by the fragmentation of the ballistic tipped bullet. It's an extremely humane way to cull a fox, even though it looks how it does, the fox, once hit, is 100% dead there and then, no suffering what so ever I can assure you of that.

Thanks John. My Dad used to hunt foxes on our farm (he's stopped now after getting a sudden guilt trip for some reason) so I've seen worse, just didn't realise you'd be able to put photos up of your kill that's all. Thanks for explaining though.

riflehunter77

Good man john another great write up

bunny shooter

Clare Bear wrote: »

Jesus are you allowed to put photos like that up here???

And I'm in no way giving out about hunting or anything of the like, whatever you're in to, just didn't realise you could post photos like that?

Hi & welcome

It looks bad BUT you can guarantee that animal never suffered for even a second. As John says fox shooting done right is VERY humane.

Rovi

Clare Bear wrote: »

Jesus are you allowed to put photos like that up here???

And I'm in no way giving out about hunting or anything of the like, whatever you're in to, just didn't realise you could post photos like that?

Yes indeed, photos like those in this thread are acceptable within this Hunting forum.
Dead animals with bullet/shot wounds are the inevitable result (or at least, the intention) of hunting with firearms, so provided the photographs are posted in good faith and in context, there's no prohibition on them here.

Gratuitous 'disrespect' of the quarry animal or photos depicting evidence of deliberate cruelty and the like are not welcome, and while we mods appreciate that the line where 'ordinary' hunting practice and 'deliberate cruelty' may sometimes be somewhat blurred, we do our best to keep things above board and shipshape.

johngalway

Clare Bear wrote: »

Thanks John. My Dad used to hunt foxes on our farm (he's stopped now after getting a sudden guilt trip for some reason) so I've seen worse, just didn't realise you'd be able to put photos up of your kill that's all. Thanks for explaining though.

Oh yes, I know the feeling. They're a fantastic animal who are, unfortunately, capable of great damage. I like to put up photos as I feel it gives an extra dimension to the tale, last night I shot a real old vixen on the same farm, she was missing quite a number of teeth due to old age, made for something different. The egg and scat photo was the different one tonight. Foxes will often defecate next to something they've partially eaten.

I did try to put in a text link to the fox photo initially, as I am well aware of how it looks to those who'd be unfamiliar with the results of a shot, for some reason, tonight I can't get those type of links to work, hence the warning at the start

Oh, can I just add this please. The reason the rifle is draped across the fox, is not to show disrespect to the animal, or as some sort of trophy symbol. I know of certain anti hunting groups who troll sites just like this. They will download photos to spin them for their own ends. I personally know a man in England who shot a fox, with a result similar to the photo above, minus the rifle. One of these anti hunting groups downloaded the photo and republished it on their own site. They claimed a barbaric and cruel hunter type had bashed the animals head in with a pick axe! So I feel it's important to place the rifle in such a way that there can be little or no wriggle room for those type of people.

Clare Bear

Thanks for explaining that everyone. I should have read up about it before I posted. I better let you get back to your gun talk But thanks for explaining.

johngalway

Actually, thanks for asking instead of jumping to the wrong conclusion and going away with the wrong impression

yayamark

jeysus just stumbled accross this thread from main page, nice photo but eery to think that there's people waiting with guns in the field in the middle of a night waiting for an animal to wander by.

johngalway

yayamark wrote: »

jeysus just stumbled accross this thread from main page, nice photo but eery to think that there's people waiting with guns in the field in the middle of a night waiting for an animal to wander by.

I got to go back to basics on this one

I'm a sheep farmer. The reason I got into shooting is I lost quite a number of lambs to foxes looking after my Dads farm when he was having his hip done. Animal husbandry wasn't in question as I suffer minimal lamb moralities each year. I called in a local man, we culled a number of foxes where the lambs were being taken from and I had no more problems.

Foxes are excellent hunters, they're also scavengers. Their diet is wide and varied. However, people who keep hens and sheep will have trouble from time to time. A fox can wipe out a persons hens in one night if it get's in the coop with them, they'll get into a frenzy of killing.

Last Spring, on the farm I was shooting on tonight, this particular farmer lost 18 lambs in one week. I shot one vixen, that wasn't rearing cubs the first Saturday night. One lamb was taken in the next week. I shot another vixen, again no cubs, the next Saturday night. No more lambs were lost Again, her animal husbandry, general quality of stock and condition of farm is beyond question.

Foxes are mainly nocturnal animals, this is why people are out hunting them at night. Their eyes reflect lamp light very well, giving a very bright golden/orange reflection, the eyes are shaped like ovals sat on their ends close together and seem set quite high in the head when seen at night (to me at least).

Shooting at night is quite safe, you're not going to be dropped coming out your front door on the way to the pub

A guy from Canada on another site has a sig line that reads "Kids who fish, shoot and hunt don't mug old ladies", there's an awful lot of truth in that.

We, as shooters, need not only to stay within the law of the land but we need to be seen to do so more than the ordinary Joe Soap, as we need to be of good character to keep our firearms licenses. Rest assured, we're the last section of society you need to be worried about

4gun

I scrolled straight down to the pictures...i saw the fox... i saw the egg .... i read the head line .... i thought to myself ....WHAT A FCUKIN' THROW:D
this man kills em bare handed:D
then I read the script
excellent as usual John..you are the master:p

johngalway

No, I'm not! There are far far farrrr better hunters on here than me. I get the odd fox now and then, I know lads who get in a month what I get in a year. Some people do seem to like the stories though, so am happy about that

I'm thinking there is a third fox. That's twice now one has come in low, almost under the radar, to where I'm sat. Weather isn't forecast too good, probably be this time next week before I can get out again. I think I'll be bringing the shotgun and rifle and set base camp at a lower altitude, cover the thick stuff with the shotgun, and have the rifle handy if I see a fox on the far side of the valley.

4gun

johngalway wrote: »

No, I'm not! There are far far farrrr better hunters on here than me. I get the odd fox now and then, I know lads who get in a month what I get in a year. Some people do seem to like the stories though, so am happy about that

I meant your story telling,:o the old art wont be lost while you have something to say

johngalway

4gun wrote: »

I meant your story telling,:o the old art wont be lost while you have something to say

I know ya did, I'm just suspicious of compliments, not used to them :D:D

(edited, compliments to whom it concerns, fast work).

yayamark

You make it sound like fun.

For some reason i have a cartoony pic in my head with rolling hills, bright stars and moon, something Emarradley about it if u know what i mean.

If u dont mind me asking where abouts do u do this? Would love to see this in action.

How do u know where the fox is goona be?

No need to convince me about Farmers and the guns majority of people know they the guns are for proper use.

johngalway

Various farms local to me in Conamara really, wouldn't like to be any more specific due to some of the comments posted earlier, since removed by the moderators. Fun doesn't sound like the proper word. When I'm culling foxes for someone else it does give a good feeling knowing that they have one less thing to worry about, as when you do your best with stock and go out in the morning to carnage it can be quite stressful, that much I know firsthand.

Foxes are creatures of habit. They have paths they travel along within their territory. That territory can be spread over many farms, shore line, commonage etc. The first job on a new farm is to visit in daylight, get the lay of the land, the best and safest shooting areas. The second job is go back at night and locate those fox paths. Foxes new to the area even seem to use the paths of old foxes. I presume they find these paths from scent markers, scat, and by seeking out good hunting areas. The more the shooter gets out on a piece of land, the more often you'll see the foxes, where they are and when they're there are all things to make note of. On the farm I've been on the past two night, 7.20 - 8.30pm seems a particularly busy time of fox activity.

The valley I talk of is excellent for foxes on that farm. The come on two different paths from the hill beyond the bog. So, what we do is set up on one of two or three hills and if we have seen a fox, say at 8pm the night before, you'd get in position by 7.20 or so. Anything could delay fox so the 8pm the night before may have been early or late for it. It's not exact, but it's generally reliable that a fox will be in a certain area at a certain time if you've seen him there in the recent past. If that makes sense.

elius

Another great read John,
Cheers
Elius

tikkamark

johngalway wrote: »

Foxes new to the area even seem to use the paths of old foxes. I presume they find these paths from scent markers, scat, and by seeking out good hunting areas. The more the shooter gets out on a piece of land, the more often you'll see the foxes, where they are and when they're there are all things to make note of..

Very very true,theres hills i do setup on when im out that i have shot several foxes from over time and then theres fields that I've regularly lamped over the years that i have simply never seen foxes in time and time again.
They do seem to religiously stick to the territories they establish even after their fellow brethren have been culled.As you said john once you get used to the patch you shoot it can give you a fair edge over the fox.

I think that clear patch that was over galway is due to come over us in the morn so gonna take the springer out after woodcock and pheasants in the morn...its lashing outside tonight hence the reason im at home on the laptop!

johngalway

I was wondering about that Mark, supposed to rain here again in the morning. As if the days aren't short enough we've to get soaked of the pleasure of daylight as well. Start roofing the place now, recession will disappear with all the work that'll take

bunny shooter

JG, meant to ask you, do you call or wait in 'ambush' ?

johngalway

Waited Bunny, not finding calling all that effective right now, so I sit in good spots and wait for them to come to me Feckin hell, wrecked now, time for my bed, goodnight

dwighet

Well done yet again John... I was with ya every step of the way reading that report.

Sparks

Guys, just to note, when you report a troll, you shouldn't be posting about it in the thread...

clivej

Just to add to the very good comments on why we shoot foxes.

My son who lives in an rural setting on 1 acre kept 2 pigs and chickens.
Now the chickens were a few laying hens but most were the fancy types which he started to breed. All are free range the pigs and chickens.

SO one night all the chickens were killed by a fox, not eaten just killed. About €1200 worth in money but nothing can repay the time he put into it. So he bought a CZ 223 and I got a shotgun and 22lr (22lr not for the foxes but for rabbits).

That was 3 years ago and thats how I started back into shooting again after 40 years away from it. I now have a 223 for the foxes and 308 for the stalking which is top of my list for my leisure sports. I sold the shotgun.

Oh and he lost another lot of fancy hens one night but this time to the 2 legged vermine that came with sacks and only took the most expensive hens to be resold on at the game fairs.

johngalway

Sparks wrote: »

Guys, just to note, when you report a troll, you shouldn't be posting about it in the thread...

I blame sleep deprivation, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it

johngalway

clivej wrote: »

Oh and he lost another lot of fancy hens one night but this time to the 2 legged vermine that came with sacks and only took the most expensive hens to be resold on at the game fairs.

Worse than the four legged types, ye hear anything about them after?

Dusty87

clivej wrote: »

My son who lives in an rural setting on 1 acre kept 2 pigs and chickens.
Now the chickens were a few laying hens but most were the fancy types which he started to breed. All are free range the pigs and chickens.

Your son wouldnt run Poulacapple Poultry would he Clive??

hamid_awais

i am quite impressed by your shooting capabilities...
Ta
Saira
muzay-dot-com

Dusty87

hamid_awais wrote: »

i am quite impressed by your shooting capabilities...
Ta
Saira

You're in there, John:p:p

bunny shooter

johngalway wrote: »

I blame sleep deprivation, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it

Me too !

'Twas a good comeback though, even if I say so myself

johnner1

Dusty87 wrote: »

Your son wouldnt run Poulacapple Poultry would he Clive??

i would hope clive would have the sence not to answer this question on a very public forum, even if it is his son or not.

cruizer101

Really enjoyed that story, a nice insight into hunting.
Found interesting to see how little actual shooting involved in hunting, i.e. numerous hours waiting for that one shot.

I do have one question I've been curious about, what happens the carcass afterwards. Is it disposed of or are the pelt and meat used at all.

bunny shooter

Hi Cruiser

Pesonally with shot foxes I cut off tail for the vermin count/comp in the gun club. Carcass is usually disposed of in/on a ditch/drain or somewhere else out of the way. Nature then takes care of it. So it's the ultimate recycling really Been thinking of trying to save pelts but doubt meat would be fit for consumption by anything else except crows and magpies maybe.

I reckon there are more foxes killed on the roads, die of starvation, old age, disease and/or mange annually than are shot by hunters or hunted & subsequently killed by the horse & hounds crowd

johngalway

Depends where I shoot it. A lot of the ground I shoot over won't be seen by people other than farmers from one end of the year to the next. Greycrows, magpies, ravens, black back seagulls will all pick at a fox carcass so when possible I leave it out for them, but discreetly, well out of the way of any possible foot traffic in the area. Doesn't take long for the carcass to melt away into history. On the farm I've been shooting over I bring the fox to the farmers door and she disposes of it.

Yep, there's a lot of sitting, standing, walking around where nothing happens what so ever. Such as tonight, sat out on that same hill, no shelter, gale force winds, no fox!

Ah, the joys Still better than the telly.

Dusty87

johnner1 wrote: »

i would hope clive would have the sence not to answer this question on a very public forum, even if it is his son or not.

Sorry just dealt with him before. Was only asking, never thought, am sure Clive wouldnt need help to have sense.
Sorry Clive.

johngalway

Out with it Dusty, you're after his chickens aren't ya!

bunny shooter

Dusty87 wrote: »

Sorry just dealt with him before. Was only asking, never thought, am sure Clive wouldnt need help to have sense.
Sorry Clive.

:eek: Ya reckon

clivej

johngalway wrote: »

Worse than the four legged types, ye hear anything about them after?

Not at all - only on the local crime line show. He's got alarms and locks on everything now and a 22lr and 223 :eek:;):cool:

johngalway

Dogs, the only answer to light fingered pests. A mouth full of sharp teeth coming at ya in the dark will put the fear of God in anyone!

Dusty87

johngalway wrote: »

Out with it Dusty, you're after his chickens aren't ya!

SSShhh:D
Ah no, i just dealt with that lad a few year ago, nice fella.
Didnt mean anything by it, never realised until after reply was posted.
Sorry Clive, sorry John for interupting thread.

@Clive, still a fair few of them lads about. A lot of it going around, i hear.

bunny shooter

clivej wrote: »

Not at all - only on the local crime line show. He's got alarms and locks on everything now and a 22lr and 223 :eek:;):cool:

Strange foxes in your part of the world .............. they watch crimeline

Seriously though, same problem everywhere Clive :mad:

Dusty87

johngalway wrote: »

Dogs, the only answer to light fingered pests. A mouth full of sharp teeth coming at ya in the dark will put the fear of God in anyone!

Too right, when the folks house was robbed, they asked the gaurd doing the prints what was the best alarm. He said one with four legs. When ma said she wasnt a fan of big dogs, he said even a small one is a deterrent as when people hear dogs they become more alert;). Then he said if thats not possible the best alarm is one with a flashy light attached to the house:D