MagiKelly Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 A friend is having trouble with foxes taking his hens. It is an intermittent problem and for a few reasons a live trap is the best solution. They do not have a gun in the house and I don't fancy having to go over every time they get a fox. So as the thread title. What is the best way for them to dispatch the fox once it is trapped? And they have no worries about preserving the pelt in good condition if that is a factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 I cant think of a humane or legal way this could done without rescource to shooting. Could be gassed I suppose but how? Drowning might find you in court answering charges of cruelty. Blackpowder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parapilot Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 Ill get lynched saying this but a 12ft/lb rifle will dispatch a fox easly at this range. Point blank and you can guarantee where you hit it (you would have to show them where to shoot to kill instantly) They could get one and keep it in house. I totally disagree with shooting fox with air rifles in any other situation, but I can't think of a more humain way for your friends without a license. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 They should pay for a service or shoot ot themselves. There will be loads of local vermin companies. It's the same as rats or wasps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 why cant they apply for a cert, and get a hushpower 410, thats how i started, if they cant be bothered doing that, they should not be trapping in first place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockercas Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 They should have a way to dispatch before they set the trap. What was they planning on doing when they caught it. Altho gassing foxes is not illegal I do believe there is no gas for foxes, there is for rabbits but its illegal to use rabbit gas on foxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 why cant they apply for a cert, and get a hushpower 410, thats how i started, if they cant be bothered doing that, they should not be trapping in first place Doesn't need to be a hush power just a cheap BA .410 or 12 single will do the job £50 for cert, £4 for photo 45p to post application then £10-50 for a single and £8 for a box of carts can all be done...for under £100 or its call out a pestie to do the job. unless there is a reason they wont be granted a cert. i dont see it being a big issue if they dont like the thought of doing it themselves then pay a pro.... http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/BSA_Shotgun_Folding_For-Sale_120220122100001 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 Doesn't need to be a hush power depends on location, residential areas its far better to use a hushpower, none of my neighbours ever heard or noticed, and even when they were in their gardens, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 (edited) depends on location, residential areas its far better to use a hushpower, none of my neighbours ever heard or noticed, and even when they were in their gardens, Oh I agree round houses in built up areas they are great, but obviously if they don't have close neighbours and it isn't necessary (they do cost more) but subsonic carts are good idea I have a few in my random cart box for just such an occasion. Edited November 18, 2012 by HDAV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimmie Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 Ill get lynched saying this but a 12ft/lb rifle will dispatch a fox easly at this range. Point blank and you can guarantee where you hit it (you would have to show them where to shoot to kill instantly) They could get one and keep it in house. I totally disagree with shooting fox with air rifles in any other situation, but I can't think of a more humain way for your friends without a license. +1 iv done this many times, a .22 pellet in the head at point blank range will kill a fox stone dead no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewluke Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 +1 iv done this many times, a .22 pellet in the head at point blank range will kill a fox stone dead no problem. and if it doesn't kill it first time you can always have another couples of attempts as it's in a trap it's going nowhere andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 Don't trap them if you have no humane way of dispatching - some air rifles will be well under the 12ft-lb mark and will just injure the fox, get the job done right or don't do it. Well done for asking and not just steaming in though! Regards, Gixer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 Even under the air gun is the way forward, point blank it takes very little power to humanely destroy a fox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 we all know that a suitable air rifle may kill a fox, the downside is if anyone saw and complained, you may or may not find yourself in trouble, having the right tools for the job means the law is on your side Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 It's fine if someone sees you as it works, that is all that matters. The only law you have to think about is to do with causing unnecessary suffering and it's not an issue. One to the brain and job done anyone thinks a .22 can't penetrate a foxes skull at point blank range needs to try it with a dead fox first. There are no other laws that would be an issue, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbart Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 I tried this and put up pics and a write up,it is on here somewhere. Can not remember exact distance(about 10 yards) but .22 punched a hole through a foxes skull and would have certainly killed it using a sub 12ft lbs air rifle. It's fine if someone sees you as it works, that is all that matters. The only law you have to think about is to do with causing unnecessary suffering and it's not an issue. One to the brain and job done anyone thinks a .22 can't penetrate a foxes skull at point blank range needs to try it with a dead fox first. There are no other laws that would be an issue, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedwards1966 Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 Ill get lynched saying this but a 12ft/lb rifle will dispatch a fox easly at this range. Point blank and you can guarantee where you hit it (you would have to show them where to shoot to kill instantly) They could get one and keep it in house. I totally disagree with shooting fox with air rifles in any other situation, but I can't think of a more humain way for your friends without a license. I don't think a sub 12 air-gun is adequate. Perhaps if the gun is somewhere near full power (many don't come close to the limit), if you can get it right up to the fox, and if the fox is obliging enough to remain perfectly still and not move it could be humane, but I don't think it's a suitable method. They may be a pest, but it's not OK to risk the suffering that could be caused by an air-gun shot going wrong. I can't see any way other than shooting it, if it's that big a problem for you to go over and shoot them then perhaps getting them to apply for a SGC would be the easy way forward, as already said it can be done cheaply. Or perhaps someone nearer could be found who wouldn't mind popping along when needed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 Oh god I think but don't know is at it again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeds chimp Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 Oh god I think but don't know is at it again :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 I'm sure that a well-positioned .22 pellet, fired at close range, from a 10-11 ftlb air rifle will kill a fox instantly. In fact, I know someone who has killed a fox, in the open, at a range of about 3 yards using a sub-12 .22. The problems start if : he is seen, and if he is seen and the first shot fails to kill cleanly. Unnecessary suffering, WACA offences, would be possible. Is he that inundated with foxes that it's not possible for you to go round as and when they are caught, to dispatch them ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 (edited) Even under the air gun is the way forward, point blank it takes very little power to humanely destroy a fox Not really Alex, I have shot a fox point blank, top of the head with a 22LR and watched it move around again until it had another round put in it, and that was witnessed by another member On here so no story.... Regards, Gixer Just do what the RSPCA do - take it elsewhere in the car and let it go ... :yp: Edited November 18, 2012 by gixer1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 (edited) :lol: aint that the truth gixer Edited November 18, 2012 by la bala Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 Not really Alex, I have shot a fox point blank, top of the head with a 22LR and watched it move around again until it had another round put in it, and that was witnessed by another member On here so no story.... Regards, Gixer Just do what the RSPCA do - take it elsewhere in the car and let it go ... :yp: You ought to have done it right the first time then. Seriously though, we all know some quarry will sometimes writhe for a few seconds after being shot. I've seen foxes brain shot up close and personal with air rifles a couple of times - they just flopped down dead, mouth open, tongue out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 Doesn't sound like they should be trapping them if they are not going to be able to dispatch humanely - air rifle is not going to be reliable enough and also the fox is a pest it deserves more respect that a botched attempt with an unsuitable tool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts