The Smallest Fox I'll Ever Shoot

[JohnGalway 1,043]

Thursday, March 18th.

 

I'm kicking myself right now. I got caught up doing things in the city and when I got home the meeting I was supposed to be at (which I actually really wanted to go to!) this evening had completely slipped my mind. Oh well, I got to go shooting instead! My mate John came over and we headed out about as local as we can get.

 

We walked out an old track onto the hill and pretty much hung around in a gale of wind to see nothing for forty minutes or so. Decided then to head back towards the car, not sure were we heading home or moving to greener fields to be honest. We crested a hill that afforded us a view of a number of fields, most are occupied by rushes with the odd sheep or horse to keep the rushes company.

 

From a rock I spied a foxes eye in the distance, in my own field as it happens. An couple of odd incidences had happened there in the recent past. I've a larsen trap there and the two hooded crows had been "interfered" with. One had his leg amputated below the knee and had to be killed, the other had died as an entire leg had been ripped out of its body! Strange goings on indeed.

 

Anyway, back to our fox. We decided to take the high road, so to speak, and circle around the fox by walking along the front of the hill, maybe a third of the way up. By doing this we could always see down into the fields, rather than going by the track and having to look up and probably not see a fox hidden in rushes.

 

This took a bit of time and I wasn't sure if the fox would stay where we saw it. We got nearer and a squeal from the caller returned a pair of eyes from the rushes. I don't know why, but it seemed like the time I should be doing something about this fox. I found the best spot in my immediate area, which wasn't good at all.

 

Settling best as I could I discovered I hadn't the best view through the scope either, there was a fair bit of moisture in the air. Rangefinder told me 156 yards, though looking after the shot I'm convinced now I ranged something completely different. I picked out the fox, gave a shout and squeezed the trigger.

 

And we have a runner. Up it heads towards the hill, across a wet flat area, up a small rise and then we both lose sight of the fox as a tree in another field obstructed our view. For a few minutes we stayed put, keeping an eye on the perimeter fence of my field and the adjoining areas for a glimpse of amber. Nothing showed so we continued to walk across the front of the hill and towards my field. I was not a happy camper, but John had said I definitely hit the fox as he heard the thump clearly.

 

I headed down the field to the green area I had shot at the fox, looking for a blood trail. What I found was completely unexpected. A little fox, cleanly shot in two! John took a look, "Well, that's the smallest fox you'll ever shoot!".

 

He went on to find a good bit of blood on some rushes on the little rise where we last saw the fox, I found another blood stained rush above that. Then, I saw a tail sticking out of the middle of a small bunch of rushes, there was out vixen, I guess she had run on about 70 yards from when she got him. Tough little animals, I hate gut shooting them.

 

[Kay 9 1]

Thursday, March 18th.

 

I'm kicking myself right now. I got caught up doing things in the city and when I got home the meeting I was supposed to be at (which I actually really wanted to go to!) this evening had completely slipped my mind. Oh well, I got to go shooting instead! My mate John came over and we headed out about as local as we can get.

 

We walked out an old track onto the hill and pretty much hung around in a gale of wind to see nothing for forty minutes or so. Decided then to head back towards the car, not sure were we heading home or moving to greener fields to be honest. We crested a hill that afforded us a view of a number of fields, most are occupied by rushes with the odd sheep or horse to keep the rushes company.

 

From a rock I spied a foxes eye in the distance, in my own field as it happens. An couple of odd incidences had happened there in the recent past. I've a larsen trap there and the two hooded crows had been "interfered" with. One had his leg amputated below the knee and had to be killed, the other had died as an entire leg had been ripped out of its body! Strange goings on indeed.

 

Anyway, back to our fox. We decided to take the high road, so to speak, and circle around the fox by walking along the front of the hill, maybe a third of the way up. By doing this we could always see down into the fields, rather than going by the track and having to look up and probably not see a fox hidden in rushes.

 

This took a bit of time and I wasn't sure if the fox would stay where we saw it. We got nearer and a squeal from the caller returned a pair of eyes from the rushes. I don't know why, but it seemed like the time I should be doing something about this fox. I found the best spot in my immediate area, which wasn't good at all.

 

Settling best as I could I discovered I hadn't the best view through the scope either, there was a fair bit of moisture in the air. Rangefinder told me 156 yards, though looking after the shot I'm convinced now I ranged something completely different. I picked out the fox, gave a shout and squeezed the trigger.

 

And we have a runner. Up it heads towards the hill, across a wet flat area, up a small rise and then we both lose sight of the fox as a tree in another field obstructed our view. For a few minutes we stayed put, keeping an eye on the perimeter fence of my field and the adjoining areas for a glimpse of amber. Nothing showed so we continued to walk across the front of the hill and towards my field. I was not a happy camper, but John had said I definitely hit the fox as he heard the thump clearly.

 

I headed down the field to the green area I had shot at the fox, looking for a blood trail. What I found was completely unexpected. A little fox, cleanly shot in two! John took a look, "Well, that's the smallest fox you'll ever shoot!".

 

He went on to find a good bit of blood on some rushes on the little rise where we last saw the fox, I found another blood stained rush above that. Then, I saw a tail sticking out of the middle of a small bunch of rushes, there was out vixen, I guess she had run on about 70 yards from when she got him. Tough little animals, I hate gut shooting them.

 

Good readin John, thanks for that. I got one like that about a week ago, young small fox also and in the gut also so I know the feelin too well. Thing is I followed the lad i shot and he was nearly in half as i followed with the light for about 30 yds. He even tried to hop a high wall and a built in fence but didnt make it and instead tumbled down into a fur and nestled there for his last moments. Not a nice feelin when ya wonder about what they went through. Way I look at it though, he was in the close vicinity of the ewes so I had to do the best I could on my behalf but didnt expect him to go so far, or better yet to make an attempt at a 5 foot wall with a fence on top...

[langouroux 14]

good read mate, we all get runners now and again!

[dogsbollocks58 36]

hi john what gun you got and what bullets you are usesing thank mark

[JohnGalway 1,043]

The rifle is a Remington VL SS .223 and I'm shooting Hornady 40grain Vmax right now.

[the cheater 1]

Had them myself running on a bit with wounds you,d think would drop them on the spot,not pleasant but hey,we do try for the quickest most humane kill we can.

 

Only 156 yds,would of walked back aways your doing well on them again John,long may it continue for you

 

Got told i was going onto a project on dayshift for 8 month at work this week..so i whinged a bit as i got put onto the last one,and whey hey.I start on 4 on 4 off June 1st be able to start getting some serious shooting in again

[course 1 11]

little n that

[Treacle Trackpad 6]

The rifle is a Remington VL SS .223 and I'm shooting Hornady 40grain Vmax right now.

Strange...I thought you were a .22-250 man John. Must be someone else.

[JohnGalway 1,043]

so i whinged a bit

 

How could they tell that from normal you?

 

Well, it happens from time to time I guess. I was surprised to find the little fox on the grass, decided against taking that photo tbh. First thought was where did the fox get that dog pup? Until closer examination it was a fox.

 

The rifle is a Remington VL SS .223 and I'm shooting Hornady 40grain Vmax right now.

Strange...I thought you were a .22-250 man John. Must be someone else.

 

No TT, I'm on my 2nd .223, never had a .22-250.

[Treacle Trackpad 6]

so i whinged a bit

 

How could they tell that from normal you?

 

Well, it happens from time to time I guess. I was surprised to find the little fox on the grass, decided against taking that photo tbh. First thought was where did the fox get that dog pup? Until closer examination it was a fox.

 

The rifle is a Remington VL SS .223 and I'm shooting Hornady 40grain Vmax right now.

Strange...I thought you were a .22-250 man John. Must be someone else.

 

No TT, I'm on my 2nd .223, never had a .22-250.

 

Ah well, I won't hold it against you lol :thumbs-up:

[JohnGalway 1,043]

Ah well, I won't hold it against you lol :thumbs-up:

 

Very good of you

[the cheater 1]

Ah well, I won't hold it against you lol :thumbs-up:

 

Very good of you

 

I will,you puff too much gun for him to handle

[JohnGalway 1,043]

I will,you puff too much gun for him to handle

 

Sure I'm used to that with you .22-250 eh, you know my thoughts

 

side of broad hit the barn a Couldn't.

 

Rearrange the above for your own reference