Pigeon Pieman Posted September 2, 2003 Report Share Posted September 2, 2003 Well, here's an odd one! I have some land overrun with foxes - literally 30+!! The landowner wants them shot but ONLY with a .22 :( Evidentally, he contacted the local Firearm Liason Officer (FLO) for the smallest calibre that will do the job humanely and that was the advice. I've spoken with the FLO and he has confirmed the conversation and, he feels that at up to 35 yards that a .22 will do the job First, thoughts please on head shot/heart shot etc and, second, how do I get that close to the *******?!! Negotiation on the calibre is NOT an option PP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob G Posted September 2, 2003 Report Share Posted September 2, 2003 I have shot foxes with .22,i always try to get a chest shot.Try baiting them with dead birds and have yourself in a position to shoot them when they come in to get it.It can be done just need to be a lot quieter because they are so close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.223 Posted September 2, 2003 Report Share Posted September 2, 2003 bait up close to any tractors that are out in the fields so you can sit and wait in these as you will be high up. or try calling them in on the lamp or in the morning or evening with that many foxes about there should be some competion to get to the squeak. i always try to go for a head shot with my .22 as when i have shot them in the heart area they always seem to run about 10yrds or so and if there near a thick hedge that can equal a lost fox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philapper Posted September 2, 2003 Report Share Posted September 2, 2003 I HAVE FOUND THAT A SEMI AUTOMATIC SHOT GUN WITH 3/4-FULL CHOKE WITH A 1 1/8 OZ OF SIZE 4/5 SHOT DOES THE TRICK UPTO 25-30YDS AND YOU GET 3 SHOTS IN FAST SUCCESSION IF REQUIRED. I PERSONNALLY WOULD NOT SUGGEST USING .22 RIMFIRE ON FOX, .223 CENTRE PREF. EXPANDING AMMO WOULD BE MINIMUM. GOOD LUCK!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brooktrout Posted September 2, 2003 Report Share Posted September 2, 2003 Get yourself into a hidden position well before dusk,upwind of their expected approach. If you can stay hidden without moving until last light, you will get them as close as 20 or 30 ft away. Squeak only when you see them upwind at long range, and then sight them in until close enough for a shot. The real trick is in sitting without movement for long periods {even when the gnats are eating you alive}. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammergun Posted September 2, 2003 Report Share Posted September 2, 2003 Contact your local hunt and invite them over to draw the land! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodeer Posted September 3, 2003 Report Share Posted September 3, 2003 22 rimfire is fine upto 40 yards as long as you are zeroed in ok, go for head or chest shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrapShot Posted September 3, 2003 Report Share Posted September 3, 2003 .22 rimfire, head shot will drop a fox like a stone at much further than 40 yards i have seen it done many times. Crapshot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red_stag88 Posted September 3, 2003 Report Share Posted September 3, 2003 Ive shot alot of foxes with a .22, lots out of a highseat, and a few walking. I reccomend that you bai up an area for a few days or just salk about the farm. When you see one call it in, i have called one in from 200 yds and shot him a 20, by a small call that fits in your mouth so you can shoot and call. Primos make a good one. I tend to hit them square in the front of the head or in the neck area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markadams Posted September 3, 2003 Report Share Posted September 3, 2003 A .22 rim-fire will kill foxed upto 50 yards even with sub-sonic ammo, I would suggest head shots but chest shots work equally well. Let me know if you need any help. Mark (Brighton, East Sussex) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted September 4, 2003 Report Share Posted September 4, 2003 Pieman: >22 cal will kill foxes dead. As others have said use a squeak call to bring them in, also a trick that I find works well is a couple of feathers, ( I like pheasant feathers as I add pheasant scent, which can be bought in a bottle for dog training) tied on a string so they hang about 24" off the ground and flutter around in the breeze. I normally place this at the 25 yard mark giving me a visuale marker of when they are in range, its just one less thing to think about for you and something for the fox to look at as he comes in. If you are worried about the .22 ammo try to get a couple of boxes of CCI's new Velocitor 22 Long Rifle Ammo, this is the first 40 grain hollow point controlled expansion ammunition on the market. It travels at 1,435 feet per second and has no problem handling head shot coyotes out to 60 yards. Good Luck, and have fun.......NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon Posted September 4, 2003 Report Share Posted September 4, 2003 I shoot foxes regularly with centrefires rimfires and shotguns and .22 will do fine out to 50 yards if you want extra range remington do a hyper velocity round that will do 1700 fps and kills them stone dead at 80 yards and nine times out of ten goes through at that distance but i would advise you to only use chest shots as these generally more reliable. Have fun! Leon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Columbus Polumbus Posted September 4, 2003 Report Share Posted September 4, 2003 PP Hi buddy A couple of options, firstly you could consider high velocity .22 which should extend your range a little. Secondly you could trap them and dispatch them thro the cage in the usual way if you have a real problem with the numbers. Thirdly: A legal point, I have a .223 that I use for fox control in these parts and have an "open" ticket thus I am legally entitled to use my firearms anywhere where I have permission form the land owner or from whom those rights are leased. Its a quirk of the system that if a firearm owner does not have an "open" ticket he is restricted to land cleared by the police but ifyou have an "open" ticket you make the decision as to safety, which means, you may not be able to use your firearms but I could. This is not a grovel for an invite friend just an example of how firearms law is innappropriately applied. Fourthly: You could decoy them into range, I have a decoy heart if you got the toy rabbit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterchapman Posted September 5, 2003 Report Share Posted September 5, 2003 Hi PP, If you take a piece of glass and a piece of polystyrean? foam (the stuff they use for packing parcels) and an old rabbit skin, (down wind is best but you don't know from which direction they will come, hence rabbit skin to cover your scent) squeik the foam on the glass and you can bring them almost up to you. Try it a bit before you go you will be suprised how much you can get it to sound like them. Good hunting. PC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJ Posted September 8, 2003 Report Share Posted September 8, 2003 If you can get round the land morning and evening, snares are a safe option. Just carry a 12 gauge with some No4 up the spout to finish the devils. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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