calling in foxes

[Mark White 25]

Right here goes I have been shooting for 20 odd years now and shot my fare share of foxes when they turn up as most of my customers are happy with that or I have gone out looking for them over a largish amount of land but I have been asked recently to shoot some foxes that are turning up at some point in the night and taking chickens turkeys and a lamb to date on quite small patches of land about 20 acres these are hobby small holdings. I can not put out live cage traps as they all have feral cats on them, So I bought a fox caller from decoys uk the reviews are very good according to the web sites reviews I have had a bit of practices with it and can make a rabbit and hare distress sound so I have been out a few of times and not seen one fox and I know one of the earth's are only about 300 yards away. I have just come in from calling for the last 2 1/2 hours and managed to call a roe buck with in 25 yards a muntjac within 20 yards both were over a hundred yards away a hare from another field and 3 rabbits all within 10 yards that did not seem bothered I was sitting there with a gun and sat up every time I called for a fox O and not forgetting the 2 feral cats and the guinea foul. If some one can help please feel free I know there is a art to this but I think I have just about called every thing other then the fox what am I doing wrong.

[The Duncan 802]

There's some vids on youtube you can look at. I've just started to squeak them in myself- its all in the lips! Got a fox in range of my hummer last night as it goes:

 

[Mark White 25]

I have been on you tube which is were I got the rabbit and hare from I dont suppose you can give me a link to the ones that you have listened to as I was only able to find a few

[The Duncan 802]

 

tbh, the ones towards the end are better - you don't have to ponce about with your hands though as you're not playing to the camera!

Just draw air in over your teeth thru pursed lips til it sounds convincing.

 

Best of luck mate,

 

Duncan

[richmcgin 32]

it the wrong time of year for calling, i find it can very ofern send them in the other direction. the best caller i have is an original fox call its two bits of black plastic with a strip of thin metal between. but the hand is far better. if your going to call at this time of year its best in the early morning.

[kenny14 656]

As above, it's not the best time of year for calling, but at any time try not to overdo the calling, dont call too loudly, and try a variety of different sounds.

You'd probably be best just sitting out and waiting near to where the stock's been taken.

Because Cubs will be starting to need a lot of food now, the adult's will be hunting early, and a bit of detective work through the day should reveal where the Foxes are entering and leaving, then get yourself a good vantage point and go at least an hour before dusk, and wait till at least a couple of hours after dark.

Good luck

[scarecrow243 24]

Hi get an acme fox call and a sqeeker out of a kids toy use the acme for bringing them from a distance the the sqeeker for close range i have done this for years and it wont fail unless the fox is lamp shy in that case you will have to shoot it first light or as its just getting dark

[The one 8,477]

Stick with the traps mate if you catch a cat you can always release it

[gibbo1973 187]

ive heard cats make good fox bait ,if there feral they ll want cleaning up as they too can do alot of damage and will get to a very large size

[mal mason 7]

I have been using the u-call from A-1 decoy they are a 3" peice that goes in the mouth same as the home made one like MCGIN described they cost a tenner and are very good you can use loads of different tones with it just mess with it before you go out, i have found it very affective all year round and had plenty of dog fox and vixen, good luck pal

[Mark White 25]

thats what i have I found a clip on you tube of the seller using it and mine does not work like it at all I have to blow very hard and bite down hard too to get any sound out of it and it only makes about 3 different calls I think the reed is to long as it seems to stick to the plastic bar not allowing the air to pass over it. I have emailed them with my concerns but have heard nothing back yet I dout i will.

[PlasticJock 539]

Have to agree with Duncan - a call is fairly limited but learn to use your mouth and you can always adjust tone, pitch and frequency.

I practice on cats and dogs, when I see them make a kissing sound and they'll look right at you, see if you can bring them in. I also have a brass wham caller but I haven't given it much use, though they're supposed to be very good.

[mal mason 7]

I mabe you have a bad one, mine works fine it will make a sound without biting but as you slowly bite down the tone changes to a very high pitch sqeek and the harder you blow the louder it is, i have tried loads of calls from my hand this is affective but your jaw hurts, but if you want the best go onto A-1 DECOY site and just have a look at the-mini colibri call..master fox pro its around £160 or if you want to spend a bit more they do the same one in remote control at around £220, i have used these and they are very affective and it saves your mouth cramp, a-1 decoy are very good as well only a phone call away and they do help if something isnt to your liking, i sent a lamp back as one of the wires was damaged in transit and i had it back within 4 days, give it a look mate nothing to loose you might even find something else they sell all sorts, good luck pal

[Mark White 25]

I think I will have a look there it seems these calls may be the way to go

Edited April 27, 2012 by Mark White

[Bosun11 537]

Drop Macy off here a pm, he's called more foxes than anyone I know, i'm sure he'd help.