Tournage

Yes, the eternal wait from Thames Valley Police for my FAC is hopefully drawing to a close! Very satisfying using air though... I would post a pic of my setup but not sure how to upload pics being such a noob to the forum! Also, I just fill my feeder with whatever is cheapest - my garden centre often has an offer on and so last time, I bought 25kg of bird feed for 10 pound! They eat it all...

I had the same issue as you, SurreySquireler, but slightly different. I set-up my feeder in Autumn (different time of year to you) and nothing got eaten, not even the feed on the floor. I can tell you that there were an abundance of squirrels about but there was plenty of good food for them and as they weren't in the routine of feeding from the feeder, they were not interested in it. However, when winter came along, I refilled the feeder and like magic, once a week I have been shooting it and refilling it. My advice would be to wake up early (before sun-rise) and go and camp in the woods to check out the grey population and then start popping them off in the trees etc. and learn what they are feeding on and where they are feeding. Possibly you need to relocate the feeder and possibly there is just too much about for them as others have said... I am also shooting with a sub-12ftlb air rifle and have set up a hide with camo netting and holly about 20 yards away with roof on it as well. Think this is important as the squirrels will get used to it being there (often they are only 2 feet from me and stare at me but then just bumble along to the feeder as though I'm not there).

Yes, I agree with you actually - good things come to those who wait I suppose!

Really can't wait and also unclear why I didn't get one 10 years ago! No time like the present though... Thank you for the advice - I think I probably made a mistake here as I got louder not quieter - was freaked out they were going to bog off if I didn't keep the calling momentum high Too right - not going to stop me in the meantime trying to pull them closer though!

Went out on both Friday and Saturday night into the heart of the wind and rain that we had plentiful supply of in Bucks - love it! Plenty about (rabbits, muntjac etc.) but foxes were the focus, particularly as there is a bird farm close by. Both nights had a pair of foxes come in almost instantaneously to the call. However, even with a good 30 mintues of different calls, very disappointing outcome as they were just out of shotgun range both nights. Therefore, hoping and praying that my FAC arrives soon! Regardless, had two crows and two rabbits and so a good weekend on balance and just nice to be out.

+4 = 302

20 yards - a very good challenge then!

Thanks, foosa - got a 'special' situation in that I am almost 100% certain that I will get very close to this fox as it seems to be a regular close to my house. Therefore, going to be camping out in a location and call it in very close to where the rabbits are - suspect it might just go for it... It's simple though, if it's not close enough, I won't shoot it...

Hi All, I thought that this post might be most relevant here but if not, I can post elesewhere. I have a query on foxes and shotguns which I hope isn't too controversial! In short, I have always and probably will always shoot with a 20 bore. The heaviest load I have put through it is a gamebore 34 gram, 4.5 shot size. Anything bigger in terms of load and size worries me a little. Therefore, my question is, do you think that that load would suffice on a fox at say 30/40 yards? I have seen dozens of posts stating that BB's and 1's are the only way but just as many with people stating that 30 gram 6s are okay. Therefore, very keen to get your educated opinions. Thank you in advance and may the debate commence!

Thanks Bobba

Very helpful, thank you.

Thank you, Fenboy. Any idea where the large mesh nets (good quality) are sold? Many thanks, Tournage.

Hi all, I am looking to update my hide kit and was thinking of purchasing the A1 Decoy Pro Hide Kit (http://www.a1decoy.co.uk/pro-hide-kit-1301-p.asp). I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this kit or if there is another suggested option? Looking for poles & nets etc., therefore, kit seems best approach. All looks good on paper (price, contents of the kit) but would be great to get some of your learned thoughts! Many thanks, Tournage

Many thanks, Longspoon - would def be willing to drive 2-2.5hrs so hopefully I'll get lucky!

Thank you for the welcome. Sorry, should have done an intro - just updated my profile. 26 years of age, lived in Bucks my whole life, currently work in the big smoke (London) during the week but have decent enough flexibility to take the odd day off here and there! Would never for a second try to claim that I'm a very good shot but I am safe and usually hold my own on a driven day. Very VERY keen to learn more about fieldcraft - love pulling the trigger but find it exponentially more satisfying when I have put in some strategic work to get to that point and in particular when the birds are a real challenge. When not out and about with a gun (which is too frequent for my liking), I can be found in the woods or fields with my chainsaw keeping things tidy, felling trees and splitting wood. Also fanatical about all things mechanical... Hope that helps