Corona foxes

[shovel leaner 7,650]

During this time when it is impossible for some to get out and shoot , I thought I would share my shooting with you all so that you may experience although vicariously an evening of fox control on a poultry unit , I hope this helps to while away a few moments of imprisonment .       
               Over the last week I’ve been attending a  free range egg producer with the aim of reducing the predation from foxes . Signs of kills were everywhere , and it was clear that there was more than one culprit . I hadn’t been to the farm for a while as I’ve been on an extended holiday . What a difference a month or so can make !!! 
           The  first  fox  I shot was from my favourite and most productive vantage point which is a pallet of celcon blocks , which overlooks a small sloping paddock at the back of the farm. There is a deep ditch with lots of bramble and cover at the bottom . This seems to be where a lot of foxes spend the day and at last light cross that paddock to access the chickens. As if on cue I switched my thermal on to have a scan as it had got too dark for the binoculars and there was the familiar white glow of a fox shape stood at the edge of the brambles sniffing the air and aware of something not quite right . He was right and I flicked the Digisight on and quickly lined up the shot and dropped him at about 60 meters . I spent time scanning with my thermal, I could see foxes all over the place , the farm is set at the bottom of a deep bank , which is dotted with patches of cover and a Christmas tree plantation . But no other shots presented themselves that night .
             The following night I sat in vigil but saw nothing around the chickens and packed up and was driving  towards the entrance but continuing to scan from my truck when I noticed a fox . I pulled up got the rifle on the bonnet gave a couple of squeaks to stop him and dropped a big dog fox , in fine condition. 
             The following night the farmer called me to say there was a fox in the run with the chickens. I came straight away and sure enough there it was , sat watching the birds without a care in the world . Shooting it would not be easy as it was behind a big galvanised fence . A bit of a think was called for and I asked the farmer if he had a step ladder . He ran off and fetched it and I set it up against this giant feed silo/ hopper . My creaking and clattering hadn’t disturbed it and I somehow managed to drop it off steps in broad daylight at 50 meters . 
             I’d been seeing foxes all over the place and decided that last night I was going to bring them to me . There is a flatbed tractor trailer parked in this one field which I shoot off , it offers a good vantage point with a safe backstop . I brought out the icotec  fox caller and walked out and set it up . I also scattered a tin of cat food in a large area around it . I went back to the trailer and turned on the caller and got the thermal out . Straight away a fox was coming in and I hadn’t even got my rifle loaded, fumbling around and cursing my stupidity under my breath I somehow managed not to put it off . I looked through the digisight and it was grazing on the cat food , oblivious to my clattering and the clunking of the bolt . It stopped to eat and presented itself perfectly for a broadside chest shot at 60 meters . I reloaded and scanned around , “bloody hell” there was another in the field and seemed to be intent on a cat food dinner , it was to be disappointed however as the 223 50 grain vmax homeload quenched its appetite. I felt sure that that would be it in that field and put on my latex gloves to go and pick them up . But before I went I picked up the thermal, the rabbit distress caller had been going the whole time and to my utter disbelief there was number three moving towards the caller and winding the cat food . This was like shelling peas . The third and final fox was brought to book at about 90 meters . 
           The noise had brought the farmer out to have a chat and I proudly gathered up the three foxes which he slung in the bucket of his tractor, otherwise I would have taken a photo. This is the fox I shot off the ladder . 

     Planning another trip out soon as there are more foxes on the bank making a problem . 

Edited April 2, 2020 by shovel leaner

[BenBhoy 4,706]

Good work mate & cracking write up.

 

One thing confuses me though; what is "holiday" thing you mentioned?? 

[shovel leaner 7,650]

1 minute ago, BenBhoy said:

Good work mate & cracking write up.

 

One thing confuses me though; what is "holiday" thing you mentioned?? 

I’ve been on the holiday of a lifetime. Florida, Caribbean cruise, back to Florida, Everglades and the keys . One of the highlights was visiting the Basspro shops  at Dania and Islamorada , absolutely unbelievable!!!

[BenBhoy 4,706]

1 minute ago, shovel leaner said:

I’ve been on the holiday of a lifetime. Florida, Caribbean cruise, back to Florida, Everglades and the keys . One of the highlights was visiting the Basspro shops  at Dania and Islamorada , absolutely unbelievable!!!

Ha I'm just messing mate, been that long since I had one forgotten what they are!! 

Sound quality mate. We spent honeymoon in US and went to a basspro down Tennessee way, like you say absolutely incredible! 

[shovel leaner 7,650]

3 minutes ago, BenBhoy said:

Ha I'm just messing mate, been that long since I had one forgotten what they are!! 

Sound quality mate. We spent honeymoon in US and went to a basspro down Tennessee way, like you say absolutely incredible! 

We haven’t had proper holiday for two years . So we went for it . I warned the  Mrs , I’m going to be in the basspro shop all day , and I was .

[Sausagedog 7,381]

Get them shot mate.

[paddyluke 795]

2 hours ago, shovel leaner said:

During this time when it is impossible for some to get out and shoot , I thought I would share my shooting with you all so that you may experience although vicariously an evening of fox control on a poultry unit , I hope this helps to while away a few moments of imprisonment .       
               Over the last week I’ve been attending a  free range egg producer with the aim of reducing the predation from foxes . Signs of kills were everywhere , and it was clear that there was more than one culprit . I hadn’t been to the farm for a while as I’ve been on an extended holiday . What a difference a month or so can make !!! 
           The  first  fox  I shot was from my favourite and most productive vantage point which is a pallet of celcon blocks , which overlooks a small sloping paddock at the back of the farm. There is a deep ditch with lots of bramble and cover at the bottom . This seems to be where a lot of foxes spend the day and at last light cross that paddock to access the chickens. As if on cue I switched my thermal on to have a scan as it had got too dark for the binoculars and there was the familiar white glow of a fox shape stood at the edge of the brambles sniffing the air and aware of something not quite right . He was right and I flicked the Digisight on and quickly lined up the shot and dropped him at about 60 meters . I spent time scanning with my thermal, I could see foxes all over the place , the farm is set at the bottom of a deep bank , which is dotted with patches of cover and a Christmas tree plantation . But no other shots presented themselves that night .
             The following night I sat in vigil but saw nothing around the chickens and packed up and was driving  towards the entrance but continuing to scan from my truck when I noticed a fox . I pulled up got the rifle on the bonnet gave a couple of squeaks to stop him and dropped a big dog fox , in fine condition. 
             The following night the farmer called me to say there was a fox in the run with the chickens. I came straight away and sure enough there it was , sat watching the birds without a care in the world . Shooting it would not be easy as it was behind a big galvanised fence . A bit of a think was called for and I asked the farmer if he had a step ladder . He ran off and fetched it and I set it up against this giant feed silo/ hopper . My creaking and clattering hadn’t disturbed it and I somehow managed to drop it off steps in broad daylight at 50 meters . 
             I’d been seeing foxes all over the place and decided that last night I was going to bring them to me . There is a flatbed tractor trailer parked in this one field which I shoot off , it offers a good vantage point with a safe backstop . I brought out the icotec  fox caller and walked out and set it up . I also scattered a tin of cat food in a large area around it . I went back to the trailer and turned on the caller and got the thermal out . Straight away a fox was coming in and I hadn’t even got my rifle loaded, fumbling around and cursing my stupidity under my breath I somehow managed not to put it off . I looked through the digisight and it was grazing on the cat food , oblivious to my clattering and the clunking of the bolt . It stopped to eat and presented itself perfectly for a broadside chest shot at 60 meters . I reloaded and scanned around , “bloody hell” there was another in the field and seemed to be intent on a cat food dinner , it was to be disappointed however as the 223 50 grain vmax homeload quenched its appetite. I felt sure that that would be it in that field and put on my latex gloves to go and pick them up . But before I went I picked up the thermal, the rabbit distress caller had been going the whole time and to my utter disbelief there was number three moving towards the caller and winding the cat food . This was like shelling peas . The third and final fox was brought to book at about 90 meters . 
           The noise had brought the farmer out to have a chat and I proudly gathered up the three foxes which he slung in the bucket of his tractor, otherwise I would have taken a photo. This is the fox I shot off the ladder . 

     Planning another trip out soon as there are more foxes on the bank making a problem . 

are you a BASC member?

[Sausagedog 7,381]

Can you join twice and why would you! 

[paddyluke 795]

24 minutes ago, Sausagedog said:

Can you join twice and why would you! 

??

[Sausagedog 7,381]

20 minutes ago, paddyluke said:

??

Don't matter, silly joke, there was a duplicate of your post.

[shovel leaner 7,650]

1 hour ago, paddyluke said:

are you a BASC member?

No , Bunch of C@@ts . NGO

[paddyluke 795]

1 minute ago, shovel leaner said:

No , Bunch of C@@ts . NGO

dont i know it,i asked because i'm pretty sure that they said(on pigeon watch) that members would not be covered by their insurance if out shooting during lockdown,

[shovel leaner 7,650]

24 minutes ago, paddyluke said:

dont i know it,i asked because i'm pretty sure that they said(on pigeon watch) that members would not be covered by their insurance if out shooting during lockdown,

The BASC are a joke . Their back up for members is bad . The infighting at their head office is embarrassing. The insurance isn’t as good as NGO or CPSA . They have failed in every way to represent shooting. The first lead ban over wetlands saw them roll over and capitulate quicker than  a Frenchman . They haven’t had a penny off me since . 

[3175darren 1,101]

BASC I could not agree more, why is anyone still supporting them is beyond belief, bring back wagbi 

[lllluke1 329]

1 hour ago, paddyluke said:

dont i know it,i asked because i'm pretty sure that they said(on pigeon watch) that members would not be covered by their insurance if out shooting during lockdown,