walshie Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 One golf course i shoot at is riddled with foxes that dig up bunkers, foul the greens etc. I know some people's idea of riddled is different to others, but this one really is. Eyes everywhere, but not always in a safe place to shoot. Another golf course less than a mile away as the crow flies has also asked me to get rid of their "fox problem". I first went there in daylight and the greenkeeper showed me holes that had been dug on the edges of the bunkers. I've been there twice since, late at night. Once we drove the whole course a few times and - nothing. Next time we parked up and walked the course a couple of times and - nothing again. A total of 4 hours there and not one fox to be seen at all. Even taking my dog to the local park at night I see plenty of foxes, so where are they? Or are there any at all? Could something else be digging the edges of the bunkers? Any (sensible) suggestions would be great, Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essex Keeper Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Badgers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdsallpl Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Approximately how big are the holes or are they more like scrapes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 depends how far they are travelling to get to your plot if it is foxes may have to try real early morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted December 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Approximately how big are the holes or are they more like scrapes? Holes about 6" across. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Bad golfer with a very large 7 iron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie10 Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Badgers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdsallpl Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Holes about 6" across. Definitely not foxes at 6" even small for rabbits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted December 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Definitely not foxes at 6" even small for rabbits. No they aren't going in them. they are about 6" deep too like something has been digging worms or grubs out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdsallpl Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 OK I would call them scrapes. Probably rabbits then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted December 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Aha! The plot thickens then. There are no rabbits on either golf course. Never have been. Big cats? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Man o kent Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Badgers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Having seen the damage that badgers can cause I wouldn't be at all surprised if they were found to be the culprits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HW682 Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 You would probably have mentioned it if there were... but I'll ask anyway... are there not any prints or marks in the bunker sand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 (edited) What you describe is exactly what there was where I am earlier in the year. Sorry to say it was Brock. Edit: PS If you have a look around, you might just find a latrine then you'll know for sure. Edited December 16, 2014 by wymberley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdsallpl Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Another culprit that will dig holes and you won't see them doing it at night are crows. 6" May be a bit big granted but they will dig substantial holes searching for grubs etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus1988 Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 (edited) The golf course I shoot has a serious badger problem at the moment, the damage they can do is quite astounding. The manger has stated that no foxes are to be shot as they keep the rabbits down, so loads of foxes but not many rabbits. Rooks can also do damage but it's not as deep as badgers, more scraping about just on the surface compared to ripping up a good couple of inches. Edited December 16, 2014 by Cyrus1988 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin lad Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Badgers colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Good shot? Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 (edited) In my mind it is definitely Badgers, they (trail cam) are making a real mess on one of my permissions just as you have described and we can't do anything about it. You should be able to find their foot prints somewhere near and easily recognised by the deep and long claw marks. Edited December 16, 2014 by Good shot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Have you noticed if they are usually in pairs and about 18 inches to 24 inches apart? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted December 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 (edited) You would probably have mentioned it if there were... but I'll ask anyway... are there not any prints or marks in the bunker sand? Nope. No prints. They must be doing it from outside the bunker. I haven't noticed a latrine, but I wasn't really looking either. I think it's time to deploy the trail cam. Edited December 16, 2014 by walshie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Another possibility is squirrels - though it's probably a bit late for them to be stashing food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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