steve_b_wales Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 This morning, I had a choice of staying in to watch the Royal Wedding or do a spot of Crow bashing. No contest! I arrived at my permission at 06.45, only to find that the gate I use to get to the area where the crows normally are, was locked, and a different lock had been used to the one that I have a key for. I was not impressed. I went further back down the farm road, and decided to try my luck on a field that's proved successful in the past. I lugged my gear across a large field, approx 180 yards, and set up against the fence line. After 45 minutes, nothing showed, and I was getting bored. Then, a solitary Jackdaw made an appearance, and I shot it. Another 35 minutes past, and then a solitary Crow came over to take a look at my decoys, and that was the last look he had! I was sitting in the hide, when I noticed a lot of Ewes/Lambs scattering down the bottom corner of the field, about 100 yards away. Then, to my surprise, a fox came running across the field, from my left to right.. It was about 70 yards away, and I wished that I had brought my .243 rifle with me. With that, the fox slowed down and started to make it's way towards my hide. I don't know if the Crow on the bouncer interested it or not. Anyway, it kept on trotting to my right, and I decided that if it came any closer, then I would shoot it. It came within 20 yards of the hide, still going slowly to my left, and I fired three very quick shots at the head/chest area. I was using Winchester Super Speed 36grm #5 shot, and these connected and dropped it on then spot. A few sheep gathered around it, and by the time I got to it, it was dead! I checked the fox out, which turned out to be a barren Vixen (the 4th on this farm in recent weeks) I dragged it bag to the hide, and placed it in front. A couple more crows/jackdaws came over the decoys/fox and were quickly dispatched. I stayed up the farm for a few hours more, and then called it a day. The farmer passed by on his quad bike and was very pleased with my shooting, but not as much as I was. The fox tail is now soaking in my tanning fluid. The photo's show (not in any particular order)my hide, some views from the hide, views down and up the field, the fox, and the final result. I ended with 6 Jackdaws (one shot to bit's and not added to the photo)4 Crows and a Fox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pykie Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 well done Steve, fantastic result!! Interesting using the fox to lure in the corvids, must give it a go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted April 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 well done Steve, fantastic result!! Interesting using the fox to lure in the corvids, must give it a go! I've actually got a fox skin that I've tanned, and I'm in the process of making a frame to put it over. This will then be used as a decoy for crows,jackdaws and magpie's. The Warrener did this years ago on one of his video's with good results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pykie Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 Let us know how you get on with it. I shoot hundreds of corvids a year and always good to try something new on them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon123 Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 (edited) Well done mate, Good shooting :good: Not a bad sized vixen you got there mate :good: I guess you were using the Hatsan, well if you were at least you had more shot's to give the fox if it did'nt drop ;) Edited April 29, 2011 by Simon123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 Nice one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted April 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 Well done mate, Good shooting :good: Not a bad sized vixen you got there mate :good: I guess you were using the Hatsan, well if you were at least you had more shot's to give the fox if it did'nt drop ;) Yes, I used my Escort FAC, and there was another five shots available if needed. To be honest though,I was confident that two shots would drop it, the third was for good measure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
browning123 Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 Well done Steve, strange there being four barren vixens in the same area! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted April 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 Well done Steve, strange there being four barren vixens in the same area! The farmer and I think that all the dog foxes are 'woofter's' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
left & right Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 Top stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 Well done Steve with the extra bonus Charlie as well as the Black Stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deputy dog Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 Looks like that fox pulled a few in for you after you phoned me mate. Nice little bag that fair play. :good: :good: DD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docholiday Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 Well done Steve, I am out to put some of your advice into practice on Sunday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 Good shooting steve. To be honest at 20 yards with 36g no. 5's, I think if the shot was in the right place I'd be pretty confident that the fox would have been stone dead after 1 shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Duncan Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 You've done a lot of good for conservation there - well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted April 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 Good shooting steve. To be honest at 20 yards with 36g no. 5's, I think if the shot was in the right place I'd be pretty confident that the fox would have been stone dead after 1 shot. I gave it three shots, because it was moving, albeit slowly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewj Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 Great shooting ,enjoyed reading thanx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the poacher Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 a good result steve that place looks familiar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grasshopper Posted May 1, 2011 Report Share Posted May 1, 2011 Looks like your decision to shoot rather than watch the weddin was the right 1 Did you get a key for the new lock? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandmartin Posted May 1, 2011 Report Share Posted May 1, 2011 Good bit of blackie bashing.Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted May 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2011 Looks like your decision to shoot rather than watch the weddin was the right 1 Did you get a key for the new lock? The farmer has now replaced the lock with a digital one, and has given me the number. He only locks the gate to stop the local yobbo's driving through his fields in the night, especially with all the young lambs about now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted May 1, 2011 Report Share Posted May 1, 2011 Well done steve BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crouch valley Posted May 1, 2011 Report Share Posted May 1, 2011 Well done mate top shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyboots Posted May 2, 2011 Report Share Posted May 2, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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