fox shooting with shotgun

[Higgi]

I have never been fox shooting before but would like to start. Have shotgun and certificate. Any tips would be appreciated, e.g. what cartriges to use, how to track or call them, day or night or any thing else you can think of.

[Rizzini]

With shotgun its probably best at night, because you can get them in better ( call them closer).

 

A 12 Bore cartridge loaded with BB will do the job well at a max range of 40yds.

 

Practice using your mouth and hand by calling the fox's in. Simple wet you lips and suck on the middle part of your hand to create a squealing sound of a rabbit in distress. At this time of year its best to get a fox call of a vixen or a dog fox barking or calling because its breeding season and its sex thats on their minds not food.

 

Hope this helps buddy.

[Higgi]

cheers mate

[vole]

I started from scratch and with shotgun it is not easy at all,foxes are a bonus but I mainly concentrate on other quarry while having some 36gr BB in my belt. Rifle shooters I know tell me they have plenty of blank sessions and they can reach out 200 yards and more. I think you need to get to know your land and be prepared to put the hours in. Learn to be quiet and to stay down wind of your quarry. Learn where they go and at what time of day. Much of the time they will see you long before you see them so you have to be sharp. Try and tag along with an experienced shooter is my best advice.

[rad334]

Get yourself a WAM whistle to call them mine works really well. I've tried all sorts of cartridges for foxes, I normally use BB's but I've had good results with some 50g 4's I've got. I only use full choke for foxes. Best of luck.

[ollie]

I shoot them with the shotgun out to 40 yards with no.2 or 3 shot. I shoot them bolting from holes with the terrier or hunted from cover with the hounds.

[Frenchieboy]

I started from scratch and with shotgun it is not easy at all,foxes are a bonus but I mainly concentrate on other quarry while having some 36gr BB in my belt. Rifle shooters I know tell me they have plenty of blank sessions and they can reach out 200 yards and more. I think you need to get to know your land and be prepared to put the hours in. Learn to be quiet and to stay down wind of your quarry. Learn where they go and at what time of day. Much of the time they will see you long before you see them so you have to be sharp. Try and tag along with an experienced shooter is my best advice.

 

I think that this is the best advice so far - Study your quarry, it's habits and it's movements and of course get to know your permission like the back of your hand, your most successful foxing will be done after dark. Once you understand that you are well on your way to success!

 

Good luck mate!

[SSS]

If you can master foxing with a shotgun, you can say you are good at it.

Make sure you are always downwind from the fox and if he wont come to the call you are using, change it.

I use number 1's when I am foxing and never have a problem with them (until last week and it needed 3 shots, LINK).

I use a WAM caller, but sometimes they don't respond to it, and when that is the case, I use the palm of my hand. There are hundreds of different calls out there, but once you find a good one that works, stick to it. Frenchieboy posted

which is a simple call, polystyrene rubbed on glass or a mirror. I am yet to try it, but many people say it works a treat.

Also, I always use a filter on my lamp when lamping, normally amber, but sometimes green, just because they always seem more nervous of white light.

You can call them in in the day, but it is much harder, I have only ever had 1 in the daylight, and to say it was nervous about coming to me is an understatement.

I normally do it alone but it is easier if there is a couple of you there, 1 with the shotgun and one with the lamp and call.

Patience plays a big part with shotgun foxing, sometimes they stand just out of range trying to smell you and it can get frustrating, but if you are persistent they will come.

It also pays to not call for too long, and pausing for a few seconds between calling. Sometimes, changing the pitch or volume of the call helps too.

Wait until they get within about 30 yards and let rip, if they are keen and will come closer, keep squeaking.

When you see a fox approaching you, try to get as low as possible to avoid a big man shaped silhouette and avoid sudden movements.

However you do it, let us know how you get on and good luck

 

EDIT: Sorry about the essay

Edited February 12, 2010 by SSS

[al4x]

more foxes are shot with shotguns on organised fox drives so if you have a problem fox it might be worth getting some mates together for a few drives. Last one I shot with a shotgun was with a load of 7.5's and went down like a sack of spuds the next barrel had a bigger load in but wasn't needed, its all about how close you are, that was on a cock day where you'll find stopping hedges opposite the beaters can be quite good fun at times

[Dekers]

I started from scratch and with shotgun it is not easy at all,foxes are a bonus but I mainly concentrate on other quarry while having some 36gr BB in my belt. Rifle shooters I know tell me they have plenty of blank sessions and they can reach out 200 yards and more. I think you need to get to know your land and be prepared to put the hours in. Learn to be quiet and to stay down wind of your quarry. Learn where they go and at what time of day. Much of the time they will see you long before you see them so you have to be sharp. Try and tag along with an experienced shooter is my best advice.

 

 

Nothing wrong with that, but an important thing without doubt is walk your land in DAYLIGHT, find their routes, runs, quarry stashes etc in daylight, then you can get to do some business at night when you really know the land.

 

Daylight research saves and awful lot of twisted ankles, branches in the face, tree stump and barbed wire trip hazard etc etc, and it's much easier tracking the fox routes as well!!

 

ATB!!