Frenchieboy Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 I was planning on going out just before dawn this morning to deal with a "problem fox" on a new permission I have just picked up a couple of days back (through recommendation from another farmer). I went out yesterday morning with my .243 but my positioning when I saw the fox from about 150 yards away entering, crossing and leaving the field did not offer me a safe shot so I had to hold back on shooting it for another morning - hence the reason for wanting to get out after it this morning at dawn. This fox is regularly seen passing through this (Roughly 20 acre) field which is surrounded by dry stone walls on two sides and a wire fence on the other 2 sides every morning between 07:30 and 08:00 after crossing a busy main road about 150 yards lower down from this permission. However after careful thoughs and observation I was able to work out where I could sit in wait (In a bit of cover) to "ambush and shoot" this rogue so that I would be shooting in the opposite direction to (i.e. away from) the main road which runs below this land - This particular fox has taken quite a few chickens, ducks and even a turkey over the last couple of weeks which is why I was called out to deal with it - There is no question about it, this fox definitely has to go A.S.A.P.!!! The problem that I had this morning was that when I got up and out of bed there was thick fog outside my window with visibility down to about 50 yards (The fog is still just as thick 2 hours later) and as the permission is on much higher ground I believe that the fog would have been thicker there with even less visibility. With this in mind I phoned the landowner and explained that I would have to wait till I had a morning without fog because of the obvious safety issues involved - There are safe backstops from the position I was planning to wait in and shoot from but there are a couple very rarely used footpaths nearby (Which I know the exact locations of very well) so there is a "very slight" possibility of a "dog walker" or "Rambler" who might have strayed off the footpaths which I might not have been able to see through the fog. With this in mind what are other members views on shooting (In general) when there is fog about? I know my thoughts but I am interested in how others see things when faced with fog on a "shooting day". I have already made the call to cancell the shoot this morning with all safety issues in mind and I would not sway from that as (in my mind) there should never be any compromise on safety when shooting with any air rifle, shotgun or firearm is involved! Sensible debate/ discussions/thoughts please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 It all depends on the ground and how thick it is, I have areas I could sit in a high seat fine and areas I couldn't. Shotgun I'd have fewer issues fog can be a plus point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted March 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 It all depends on the ground and how thick it is, I have areas I could sit in a high seat fine and areas I couldn't. Shotgun I'd have fewer issues fog can be a plus point. A can see what you are saying and I agree with you. There would certainly be less of a risk with shotguns or air rifles. I would also agree with the high seat thing but on this permission setting up a high seat would just not be practical. However thanks for your thoughts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontbeck Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Fog and shooting don't go together. If visibility is impaired you can't shoot. I load and pick up on a couple of grouse moors and expensive days have been brought to an early finish much to everyone's disappointment because a clear day has suddenly become enshrouded with fog. I can't think of any situation where it would be an advantage to shoot in fog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 If I can't see safe I don't shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Fox, fog and footpath. The equation is a simple one. Don't risk it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 I can't think of any situation where it would be an advantage to shoot in fog roosting pigeons, intercepting rooks on their way back to a rookery so basically when you know flight lines and seeing them late means they are in range when they see you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted March 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Fox, fog and footpath. The equation is a simple one. Don't risk it. That was my exact thoughts and why I made the decision not to go out this morning - Even if there had not been a footpath coming into the equasion! As I said in my original post, in my opinion there should never be any compromise on safety. I would never (Knowingly) do anything while out shooting that could be classed as any form of a risk and would never let anyone else do so that I was mentoring or shooting with! I would still like to hear others take on the "debate"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimlet Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 If you can see the backstop clearly, you can shoot; if you can't, you can't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 No way, its not just the backstop I need to see its the surrounding area. Even with no footpaths people just turn up and I don't want a sheep to wander into an unsafe zone either. If in doubt don't imo. I don't mind fog wildfowling or shooting crows with shottie though as they fly lower so they might use ground reference points and often get lost, its also easier to stay hidden from those sharp eyes a bit of calling and they come in nicely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 I agree with the posts above but I have had the best pigeon shooting when roost shooting in a larch wood in fog with visibility down to 30/40 yds. Miles from anywhere of course. I wouldnt use a rifle for the point Kent makes - with very low visibility something or someone can easily come within a critical zone for shooting or ricochets (unlikely as those are with CF). However, I once went on a pheasant shoot and found it was cancelled as there was fog (visibility maybe 60 yds) The keeper said the birds would not find their way home in the fog ? Anyone else ever heard of this or keepers who have the same opinion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 they also don't fly properly Kes, so between that and safety most get cancelled if it is foggy enough. Pea souper obviously there are issues it all depends how far you can actually see, some of our high seats you can only shoot 100 yards and often you could see plenty to be safe. If you can't see that much then stay in bed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 (edited) I agree with the posts above but I have had the best pigeon shooting when roost shooting in a larch wood in fog with visibility down to 30/40 yds. Miles from anywhere of course. I wouldnt use a rifle for the point Kent makes - with very low visibility something or someone can easily come within a critical zone for shooting or ricochets (unlikely as those are with CF). However, I once went on a pheasant shoot and found it was cancelled as there was fog (visibility maybe 60 yds) The keeper said the birds would not find their way home in the fog ? Anyone else ever heard of this or keepers who have the same opinion? There would be no sport in blasting pheasants in the fog, it not like they are the canniest birds anyhow. Not sure what you are on about talking c/f and ricochet, they are a massive amount more scary than an humble .22 rf zinging off when they do occur that's for sure Edited March 6, 2013 by kent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 We get a lot of fog here up on the moors. If I only shot on non foggy I would reduce my foxing by a third. I don't go out if visibility is under 100 yards as its pointless but otherwise I'm out. As shots are taken only with safe backstops and when one can clearly identify the quarry and its immediate surrounding area, I can see no problem or safety issues taking safe shots in the fog. All you have to do is accept that distances and opportunities will be reduced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted March 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 No way, its not just the backstop I need to see its the surrounding area. Even with no footpaths people just turn up and I don't want a sheep to wander into an unsafe zone either. If in doubt don't imo. I don't mind fog wildfowling or shooting crows with shottie though as they fly lower so they might use ground reference points and often get lost, its also easier to stay hidden from those sharp eyes a bit of calling and they come in nicely This point is one of the main concerns to me in this "debate"! There is always a chance of some numpty strolling itno the firing line and you not spotting them through the fog until it's too late - Even if there are no recognised public footpaths in the area. Even with a "safe backstop" it is always possible to pull a shot from a rifle and if it goes high it could well be too late for anyone or anything (Livestock or property) that might be in the distance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 I can't see how you pull a shot that high, if you can do that you would be a hazard on a clear day. CharlieT has summed up my thoughts on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 fog can be great for shooting crows,we were hid in some pig arks years ago on my mates farm, and shooting the crows as they came in two eat the pig pellets, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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