Toka 10 Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Got the news today that a friend managed to get a fox, lamping last Friday night at the farm. 4 other pairs of eyes were spotted although none were close enough for a shot. Foxes have been attacking the fencing around the freerange units as well. Looks as if they have bred well this season. Although the heavens had opened for an hour and the drains were overflowing, it was only lightly raining as we arrived at the farm. The wind had died off almost completely. I decided to take the rimfire in case of any longer range rabbits, as there should be some more around now, and Bilbo hasn't had a taste for a bit. The recent rain has played hell with the vegetation, it had doupled in size, what used to be around the tops of my boots was hip height now. The farmer had cut some swathes through the grass again just to allow us to be able to see some prey every now and again. The small clumps of young trees were now thick copses that would easily hide foxes, and looking at them it appeard there were a mutitude of tracks going through them. We got to the bottom of the fields, towards where I now knew there was a fox set under a group of trees next to the ditch. The bird feeder on the cut grass stood out at a distance against the new green growth behind. As we approached I could see and hear a number of magpies that were calling and shouting each other, and hopping from one tree to the next. I presumed to announce our approach. As we got to 75 yards from the feeder the birds activity rose and out of the grass at the side of the cleared ground walked a young fox, dark grey fur not yet coloured red. It didn't look our direction and Bilbo was head down scenting and missed it. I got my rifle up just as it entered the grass other opposite side. It didn't look our way and didn't appear to be in any hurry at all. I walked up the remaining distance and was interested to see if Bilbo picked up the scent. He did notice it but headed away into the field initially before coming back to me and scenting around the area. He didn't appear to be able to pick up the freshest scent and follow that alone, and the older scents or other scents appeared to confuse him? We kept going for some 50 yards and waited for 30 minutes incase it reappeared or incase others were waiting to exit the field appeared and followed the first one. After the short wait I went to check the snares, only to find they had all be knocked. There were 4 clear trails into this set from the field side, three of which had snares on them. I used the 4th one to walk in to the entrance of the set. This set is well known by the farmer and is apparently more of an L shaped tube, albeit a narrow one in a 5x5 yard mound of fallen branches, roots and earth. Bilbo entered the set and headed into it, there was no barking or growling and no sound of anything exiting the other side. Within 30 seconds of having entered he backed out of the set, showing no real interest at all. I reset all the snares and we headed back. A nice walk and our first close up sight of Mr Fox. I presume that confusion Bilbo had was borne fron inexperience. It seems to happen with both, rat and rabbit at the moment, as if he can't quite grasp the freshest scent and follow that alone, the crossing of scent paths seems to confuse him and he is as likely to follow one less fresh? Hoping to get up at 5.30am tomorrow and get down to the farm to ahve a quiet sit off with my shottie and Bilbo....hope the weather holds!! Quote Link to post
goldfinch2007 2,336 Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 good story mate,let us know how you get on.is your plummer only a pup? Quote Link to post
Toka 10 Posted July 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 just turned 8 months...will see how he is after another 12 months!!! so far so good....it's me who struggles as he's my first terrier, he's just doing his thing!!! ATB Quote Link to post
goldfinch2007 2,336 Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 good luck with it mate.but if hes only 8 month dont be banging him in earths that might be holding,especially without a locator. Quote Link to post
Cleanspade 3,324 Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 good luck with it mate.but if hes only 8 month dont be banging him in earths that might be holding,especially without a locator. very good advice. your pup is looking well Quote Link to post
fireman 11,175 Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Could try sitting out at night and squeeking it in,if your lucky and you get it then let him rag it up.As he's never seen one before you may have to tease him with it to get him going but once they start lol,he is still a young un so take your time as an adult fox could well put him off.He'll get there just leave the earth alone for a while now the dog been through it and your'll find one at home when he's old enough to tackle them. Quote Link to post
Toka 10 Posted July 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 thanks for the advice Goldfinch and Fireman.... from his reaction once we got to the spot he last saw the fox, from there to the set I was happy nothing was in. I thought I may have to leash him as we got nearer but he wasn't showing any interest. I think this fox high tailed it accross the ditch and into the overgrown plantation the other side. I am told that this tunnel is an L shaped one with no stop holes etc...otherwise I would have been a bit more nervous, and wouldnt have let him have a sniff inside. Next purchase will be a collar...last thing i want is for him to get smashed up by a cornered or protective fox, or lost so young!!!! Plenty of time still, thanks ATB Quote Link to post
bullxryno 21 Posted July 18, 2009 Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 thanks for the advice Goldfinch and Fireman.... from his reaction once we got to the spot he last saw the fox, from there to the set I was happy nothing was in. I thought I may have to leash him as we got nearer but he wasn't showing any interest. I think this fox high tailed it accross the ditch and into the overgrown plantation the other side. I am told that this tunnel is an L shaped one with no stop holes etc...otherwise I would have been a bit more nervous, and wouldnt have let him have a sniff inside. Next purchase will be a collar...last thing i want is for him to get smashed up by a cornered or protective fox, or lost so young!!!! Plenty of time still, thanks ATB keep us updated mate! Quote Link to post
Running 7 Posted July 18, 2009 Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 good read thanks for sharring Quote Link to post
whippet 99 2,613 Posted July 18, 2009 Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 take it this is the guy who does the bilbo article in the countrymens weekly Quote Link to post
Toka 10 Posted July 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 yes for my sins!!! hoping i can publicise the breed a bit and also a running story of Bilbo's progress if any other newbies want to start using terriers in general. got to say i wish i had found terriers when i was a kid!!! got to say i like the plummer, even though it gets some flack!!! will keep all updated, Countrymans are running stories out of sync now but hopefully people will piece them together..... ATB Quote Link to post
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