Fox minding the hen house

johngalway

Saturday June 12th.

Received a call about a fox that was seen around the hen house the previous night. I've not shot over this place before so it's new to me. Like most farms around it backs onto commonage. Before I left I'd dressed for a warm night, checked the forecast which was for rain moving East - yeah, but when! On my way there the heavens opened giving me the "uh-oh" feeling. Thankfully it stopped just as I pulled into my destination, stroke of luck or what.

The rest of the night was dry and there was a gentle breeze. I had a spot in mind to set up on, I was there a bit early so it was still light enough for me to see hillocks, rocks, mountains on the horizon. Didn't take long to see my first fox. Cagey one though, it was interested in the call but wouldn't come within range for me. It preferred to stay out on a flat marsh that's littered with moss hill which are about eighteen inches high, never giving me a great view of my fox. Though about walking out, but with the dry weather we're having there was a crust on the bog much like crunchy snow, and no wind to hide the noise. Have to let that one go.

Before that, I'd seen a glimmer of an eye in some rushes near an old track in the hill, calling it a track is generous mind. Put it down to a lamb or sheep as it didn't reappear or look back at me when the call came on. Not ten minutes after seeing the first fox I definitely see my second, not on the track but walking in the rushes to the right of the track, sneaky git.

I settle down on my rock and watch the eye make progress in my direction through the scope with the lamp powered well down. All is going well until my fox makes a sudden ninety degree turn and starts meandering away from me. The rabbit distress call changes that in an instant and the fox starts bouncing it's way through the bog and onto the track, running on towards me.

I turn off the call before the fox crests a little hillock and as it's starting it's way down, giving me a perfect sight with a perfect backstop I Yap! to stop it and dispatch with a 40 grain Vmax. A little vixen, and job done for the night.

Eddie B

Nice one john! Looks as though she hasn't had any cubs this summer!

murphy125

Nice shooting there John and a pleasure to read

johngalway

No Eddie, no cubs on that one this year.

Tackleberrywho

johngalway wrote: »

Saturday June 12th.

Received a call about a fox that was seen around the hen house the previous night. I've not shot over this place before so it's new to me. Like most farms around it backs onto commonage. Before I left I'd dressed for a warm night, checked the forecast which was for rain moving East - yeah, but when! On my way there the heavens opened giving me the "uh-oh" feeling. Thankfully it stopped just as I pulled into my destination, stroke of luck or what.

The rest of the night was dry and there was a gentle breeze. I had a spot in mind to set up on, I was there a bit early so it was still light enough for me to see hillocks, rocks, mountains on the horizon. Didn't take long to see my first fox. Cagey one though, it was interested in the call but wouldn't come within range for me. It preferred to stay out on a flat marsh that's littered with moss hill which are about eighteen inches high, never giving me a great view of my fox. Though about walking out, but with the dry weather we're having there was a crust on the bog much like crunchy snow, and no wind to hide the noise. Have to let that one go.

Before that, I'd seen a glimmer of an eye in some rushes near an old track in the hill, calling it a track is generous mind. Put it down to a lamb or sheep as it didn't reappear or look back at me when the call came on. Not ten minutes after seeing the first fox I definitely see my second, not on the track but walking in the rushes to the right of the track, sneaky git.

I settle down on my rock and watch the eye make progress in my direction through the scope with the lamp powered well down. All is going well until my fox makes a sudden ninety degree turn and starts meandering away from me. The rabbit distress call changes that in an instant and the fox starts bouncing it's way through the bog and onto the track, running on towards me.

I turn off the call before the fox crests a little hillock and as it's starting it's way down, giving me a perfect sight with a perfect backstop I Yap! to stop it and dispatch with a 40 grain Vmax. A little vixen, and job done for the night.

I often find after a downpour is a great time to go shooting. The air is clear and the wind has turned calm after a downpour.

I'm going to go for a few bunnies today with the .308 (to dispell a few myths and save on .223 ammo)
I'll see if my wind theory will back me up.

Good Shooting JG
Keep up the good work against Vulpes Vulpes