kent Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 got back in at just after 11pm after watching for a vixen and two cubs at thier den site. got the first cub after an hour or so but the other was back down before a could get it. Vixen came back at absoloute last knockings and also caught a round, too dark to recover but after going to bed i just cant sleep (too much strong coffee laid out waiting i supose) so sat here waiting for break of light hopefully the last cub will emerge and give me the chance i need without going for help. i know they have to go but i just don't feel good about doing the young anymore and leaving one alone to perish is just not on. have heard that a dog fox will often take over feeding a cub with the death of a vixen but never seen the evidence myself, has anyone else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creakindoor Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 Just got back in, Shot a vixen 180yds. I shot her 4 cubs a week back. No sign of the dog but I think I may have accounted for him early spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 well the dog fox won't be helping out he caught a bullet this morning as did his young son - job sorted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 Well done, sounds like you've done a proper job on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creakindoor Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 well the dog fox won't be helping out he caught a bullet this morning as did his young son - job sorted! Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 Excellent. Well done on clearing up the cubs. I too, don't like the idea of cubs starving to death if the vixen has been shot. It's true that the dog fox will feed the cub's. That's if he has'nt been shot as well. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 If you shoot a vixen and know where the cubs are, but cannot get at them with a terrier, then you can feed them yourself. Just drop off whatever outside the earth until you have an opportunity to deal with them with a rifle, we fed some for near enough a month before we cleaned them up (they were in a deep ex badger sett). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 got back in at just after 11pm after watching for a vixen and two cubs at thier den site. got the first cub after an hour or so but the other was back down before a could get it. Vixen came back at absoloute last knockings and also caught a round, too dark to recover but after going to bed i just cant sleep (too much strong coffee laid out waiting i supose) so sat here waiting for break of light hopefully the last cub will emerge and give me the chance i need without going for help. i know they have to go but i just don't feel good about doing the young anymore and leaving one alone to perish is just not on. have heard that a dog fox will often take over feeding a cub with the death of a vixen but never seen the evidence myself, has anyone else? Yes to dogs feeding cubs and also another vixen taking them on When in cub I always try to shoot the vixen first as if you shoot a cub near an earth she is likely to move and take whats left with her. If they are off milk they normaly split the brood into two or more earths and will go between them until they roam. Shot a vixen last year and went back next morning and shot the dog coming in with food......... have also seen another vixen helping to feed them as i ended up shooting two adult vixens feeding same litter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 the other thing to remember is you can still lamp them after last light and the cubs will appear as long as an adult isn't with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 Yes to dogs feeding cubs and also another vixen taking them on When in cub I always try to shoot the vixen first as if you shoot a cub near an earth she is likely to move and take whats left with her. If they are off milk they normaly split the brood into two or more earths and will go between them until they roam. Shot a vixen last year and went back next morning and shot the dog coming in with food......... have also seen another vixen helping to feed them as i ended up shooting two adult vixens feeding same litter i supect this litter has actually been split up, one big earth with piles of wings and bits of lambs etc all around were the cubs were shot and another they might be sharing with a few rabbits. think i will keep watch a while yet and be sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 the other thing to remember is you can still lamp them after last light and the cubs will appear as long as an adult isn't with them. yes but i am cautious of such an approach, i try very hard not to educate foxes to the lamp as its essential on this ground. night vision would be fantasic for this job but no way am i spending 1k on rubbish or 3k on anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 (edited) they're only educated if you miss them, I thought you could shoot a gnats ******** off at 500 yards with factory ammo from that other thread Edited June 7, 2011 by al4x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 they're only educated if you miss them, I thought you could shoot a gnats ******** off at 500 yards with factory ammo from that other thread i called in a good sized cub friday night and had to shout at it to stop for the shot that was under white light, if its dead it cant be lamp shy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 brings back memories of these, we caught the vixen in daylight then as soon as it got dark they popped out one by one. Young cubs aren't worried by a lamp on a dimmer just enough light to see them and you know where they are coming from Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camokid Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 nice pic al4x thats the way to do it. im haveing trouble with some at the min i just cant catch up with the dog or vixen they must have another hidden entrance i cant find i have put 4 evenings on it now with no joy i dont really want to mooch around the entrance to much in case i spook her :hmm: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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