hedd-wyn Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 (edited) Went out for the crows this morning, about five minutes after setting up the hide I light a fag an poured myself a coffee. Just as sun was coming out I could see something moving by the rubble pile. It took me a few seconds to realise it was a fox heading either for the lambs that the farmer had turned into the field that day before, or towards the buildings where the chickens were kept. I always carry some heave duty cartridges on my belt especially for this reason, question was could I empty the 30g size 6 out of the semi auto and loadd it with 46g BBs in time before it got out of range? I managed to load two into the gun, gave the old squeak with the back of my hand and got its attention. I stood up from the hide, it looked me straight in the face so I took the shots. The first shot straight on in the head and chest area, and the second as it turned to finish the job. To be honest, I had mixed feelings about this because this was my first fox, or vixen and they are such beautiful creatures and I kind of felt a little guilty But I knew if I hadn't taken the shot the farmer would be fuming and would probably not be returning to the permission. At the end of the day, I'm there to rid of pests. When I told the farmer he was happy as larry, and said that he'd lost four lambs to the fox this year. He even gave me a free firearms cabinet for my troubles!!!! :o PS managed to bag six corvids as well Edited April 22, 2012 by hedd-wyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
browning123 Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 Well done matey - you did the right thing. You are liking the Hatsan I see!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerSim Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 Well done matey - you did the right thing. You are liking the Hatsan I see!!! +1. Its a strange set of feelings, and I know what you mean about the guilt etc. BUT, they are a blinkin nuisance, and there are too many of them. You definitely did the right thing. ATB Sim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedd-wyn Posted April 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 Well done matey - you did the right thing. You are liking the Hatsan I see!!! Yes mate, hasn't let me down... even though there were some spectacular misses on the crows this morning, but I put that down to the Guinness last night, not the Hatsan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 I never get any pleasure when shooting a fox. I'm only happy that the shot taken is clean and humane. This time of year, when foxes are feeding their cubs, is a particular time when I feel 'sorry' if I shoot one. But, if the farmer is losing lambs/poultry,and I don't tackle the problem, there are many others who will take my place. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripey999 Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 I know how you feel. I felt bad for ages after shooting my first fox. It was so much like a dog that I didn't feel good about it at all. Nowadays I have different feelings towards it as I have seen the devastation they cause. Last week we found a lambs leg along the line of the wood adjacent to a field of sheep and lambs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedd-wyn Posted April 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 (edited) I never get any pleasure when shooting a fox. I'm only happy that the shot taken is clean and humane. This time of year, when foxes are feeding their cubs, is a particular time when I feel 'sorry' if I shoot one. But, if the farmer is losing lambs/poultry, then if I don't tackle the problem, there are many others who will take my place. Steve. I'm glad you agree Steve, it's strange how you feel uneasy shooting some creatures, and don't feel so bad shooting others At least I can rest assure that the kill was clean and quick, even though the photo shows blood on the abdomen area but I had to turn it around in order to get a forum friendly photo. Not been on the shotguns for long really, but today has put the sport in a whole new perspective. I know how you feel. I felt bad for ages after shooting my first fox. It was so much like a dog that I didn't feel good about it at all. Nowadays I have different feelings towards it as I have seen the devastation they cause. Last week we found a lambs leg along the line of the wood adjacent to a field of sheep and lambs. I agree bud, I used to work on that particular permission for years and have witnessed the damage they cause not nice. Edited April 22, 2012 by hedd-wyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 I'm glad you agree Steve, it's strange how you feel uneasy shooting some creatures, and don't feel so bad shooting others At least I can rest assure that the kill was clean and quick, even though the photo shows blood on the abdomen area but I had to turn it around in order to get a forum friendly photo. Not been on the shotguns for long really, but today has put the sport in a whole new perspective. I shot a vixen last year, in similar circumstances to you. I was in my hide, and she came trotting across my line of sight. Totally ignoring young lambs, she was heading, probably for her den. After shooting it,I did mentally ask myself if there was need for it. But when the farmer drove past a few minutes later, and saw the dead fox, he was jubilant. Now I have a total (almost obsessive) hatred for Crows, and it would'nt bother me if I shot 1000's per year. Even with my hatred for them, I,like most resposible shooters, try my hardest for clean kills everytime. When some are wounded, they usually get dispatched on the ground, either with a priest or a follow up shot. But some get too far away to reach, and you see them hopping down the field. I feel sorry for this, and hope that they die soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedd-wyn Posted April 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 I shot a vixen last year, in similar circumstances to you. I was in my hide, and she came trotting across my line of sight. Totally ignoring young lambs, she was heading, probably for her den. After shooting it,I did mentally ask myself if there was need for it. But when the farmer drove past a few minutes later, and saw the dead fox, he was jubilant. Now I have a total (almost obsessive) hatred for Crows, and it would'nt bother me if I shot 1000's per year. Even with my hatred for them, I,like most resposible shooters, try my hardest for clean kills everytime. When some are wounded, they usually get dispatched on the ground, either with a priest or a follow up shot. But some get too far away to reach, and you see them hopping down the field. I feel sorry for this, and hope that they die soon. I couldn't agree more. It might be a Welsh thing, crows are always on the top of my list and my favourite shooting. But at the same time I do admire them... if this makes sense? Part of the enjoyment is watching and studying their behaviour in order to be able to beat them IMO They're born survivors and that's probably why there's so many of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eccles Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 Well done Carwyn see you getting a few crows now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
browning123 Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 I couldn't agree more. It might be a Welsh thing, crows are always on the top of my list and my favourite shooting. But at the same time I do admire them... if this makes sense? Part of the enjoyment is watching and studying their behaviour in order to be able to beat them IMO They're born survivors and that's probably why there's so many of them. My Welsh thing is a hatred of magpies - the cruelty inflicted by them on young fledglings and the like is unbelieveable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 (edited) My Welsh thing is a hatred of magpies - the cruelty inflicted by them on young fledglings and the like is unbelieveable. I understand the sentiment and I agree that magpies cause damage and need to be controlled, but to suggest a magpie is "inflicting cruelty" is wrong. Cruelty is a human attribute, the magpie is doing what is instinctive and what its brain is hard-wired to do, it doesn't have a choice. We accuse the bunny huggers of anthropomorphism, to avoid hypocrisy we should avoid it ourselves I reckon Edit to say to the OP, in the situation you describe you did the right thing, and the farmer should be well chuffed I don't subscribe to the idea that some animals are intrinsically bad and some good. An animal isn't vermin because of what it is, but because of where it is. A fox amongst poultry, lambs or game birds is bad, but an arable farmer plagued by rabbits might take a different view. It's refreshing to see that some people actually think about why they do what they do, and occasionally show restraint if it's warranted Edited April 22, 2012 by Blunderbuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAVAGE HMR Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 I had a similar feeling early last night. I shot a vixen I'd squeeked out of the gorse bushes at the foot of the gully. After I'd taken the shot, started walking down to inspect my handy work. I noticed something else moving in the gorse so I dropped to the ground and got my rifle ready expecting another fox. Looking through the scope at the vixen I'd just shot, I saw two young cubs come out to see thier mum. I thought it was way to early to see the fox cubs out and about but I was wrong. Now I was stuck with three options. I could leave them to starve to death. I could try and catch them and give them to the local vets to be cared for by some local animal lover. Or, I could shoot them now before they turn in to foxes that'll do damage. I did what I thought the farmer would like me to do, and I did feel guilty. It's just one of those things though, they are a pest and have to be controled. It's not sporting, but a fox killing lambs isn't sporting either. You did the right thing mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
browning123 Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 I understand the sentiment and I agree that magpies cause damage need to be controlled, but to suggest a magpie is "inflicting cruelty" is wrong. Cruelty is a human attribute, the Magpie is doing what is instinctive and what its brain is hard-wired to do, it doesn't have a choice. We accuse the bunny huggers of anthropomorphism, to avoid hypocrisy we should avoid it ourselves I reckon Fair comment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshLamb Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 I saw a fox sunbathing in the long grass last week. I decided to leave it as if it had cubs, I didnt want them to starve to death Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedd-wyn Posted April 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 I saw a fox sunbathing in the long grass last week. I decided to leave it as if it had cubs, I didnt want them to starve to death :lol: Cheers Welshlamb! The guilt has returned! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 well in buddy,great shooting mate,,happy days :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 I don't think anyone "enjoys" killing foxes, it's out of necessity...it's the same with deer - for some reason I always feel worse shooting females as apposed to males! :blink: Regards, Gixer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshLamb Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 :lol: Cheers Welshlamb! The guilt has returned! :lol: sorry!! If I saw cubs, I'd shoot them without a second thought . Tho I always feel a bit gutted after shooting a fox, they are beautiful animals but what needs must! Farmer wouldnt be too happy if I let them ALL go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 I saw a fox sunbathing in the long grass last week. I decided to leave it as if it had cubs, I didnt want them to starve to death I will add that, over the years while out shooting, I have seen numerous foxes that I could have shot, but chose not too. These were usually when I was out Crow shooting etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ostrea Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 Well done, might be worth asking someone with terriers to walk around there with you as she may have had cubs in an earrth. I have been watching two earths for the last couple of weeks with dogs doing all the work back and fourth, not doing any harm at the moment on arable land. Just put my trail cam next to one of the earths today save me spending hours with the bi nos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 Well done Carwyn.You done the right thing mate.That Vixen could cost the Farmer and other Farmers in the vicinity a lot of money so it was the right thing to do! Also well done on the Crows! Overall a good day IMO! Keep up the good work mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchie the white hunter Posted April 24, 2012 Report Share Posted April 24, 2012 I donot have any problems shooting any fox any time of year male /female /cub at all they are vermin and cost shoots thousands over years so sorry do what has to be done and thats that !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy198712 Posted April 24, 2012 Report Share Posted April 24, 2012 just seen them as a huge rabbit!!! i mean whats better, 5+ dead baby lambs or a dead fox....? you did the humane thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ91 Posted April 25, 2012 Report Share Posted April 25, 2012 Only 1 good fox and that a dead one, I take no guilt at all in shooting fox's, in fact iv just got in from foxing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.