Fox club

[oowee]

Good work RS. I can only imagine how cold it was at the top of the hill. Pics are great. How far can you pick them up with the thermal and how far can you positively identify them?

 

Out with Bumpy last night and rocked up at a house in the middle of nowhere to shoot in the back garden. Hill top location and fantastic views of Weston in the back ground. Caller set and 12g at the ready. Called for 15 mins or so and one was spotted briefly in the undergrowth but no joy. Off to a nearby pig farm and spotted one at about 150m. called it in as no shot to the edge of the field but we needed some more back stop. A bit further and it was under the horizon and bumpy had it with his girly gun (HMR). One in the bib high shoulders and it dropped on the spot. We seriously have to look at the quality of our pictures more than a little shown up by pictures from the western border country

 

Looked at a couple of other places too and saw eyes but nothing we could get a shot off at. Glad to be done by 2300 to get back and nurse my serious man flu. Should be a lot better by friday when we are out on the deer.

 

 

 

[racing snake]

Thanks owe, and good work again!

 

Thermal's good for identifying a fox-sized heat signature out to about 800 yards on a nice cold night. As you rightly say though you can't positively identify it as a fox at that range but you start to get the hang of watching its behaviour and you end up being pretty sure. The heat sig size will make it either Charlie or Bunty, and they tend to behave quite differently, bearing in mind neither will know you're there as there's nothing to give you away so they'll act quite naturally. Fox tends to work the field a bit quicker, and covers ground a bit more efficiently than a bumbling Bunty. If there's no stock in the field it will 'generally' be one or the other (discounting a cat), and if there's sheep in the field (we get a lot of them round here!) you can see how they react, they'll generally bolt from a fox, they've got pretty good eyesight at night. At about 400 yards you can just flick the scope on and you can confirm 100%. That's kind of why I've never been a fan of shooting with a thermal. Yes you can identify it as a fox 'in all probability' but I've seen a smallish collie through a thermal and you'd swear blind it was Charlie. So, for me at least th combination of the thermal spotter and the Drone work really well and I'm a lot happier being able to confirm 100% that the heat signature I'm seeing through the thermal is a fox.

Edited January 26, 2017 by racing snake

[Dougy]

Good going lads,

 

I will again tell you my failing.

I knew there was a fox going into what we call the bean field, due to the undulating ground it's rather difficult to get a shot if your at ground level.

So I need to get as high as possible, and as luck would have it, there's a handy load of silage bales along the edge.

Well I got there at 19.30, lights out in the truck and loaded up rifle all ready because I scan the fields on the way up the track, you never know.

Anyway got to the bales,put the caller out around 100yds,and sprayed a load of my horse hoof foxy aftershave, climbed up 2 of them to my shooting position. Flask of coffee out quick slurp, thermal on, caller on and wait.

1/2 hour and spot mr fox coming in from the right, blimey early night for me, scope caps off IR on NV on safety (I have a cover for my IR lazer too as they all fog up this weather). Fox is wary, somethings not quite right, criss hair on its chest as it's crossing, a quick squeak to stop him . A gentle squeeze of the trigger and click, poo, lift bolt and again click !!!

Fox has gone, down into a dip and into the wood.

 

Why did I put a spent round in the chamber. Plonker.

[WelshMike]

Well done boys..apart from Dougy who deserves some grief..... We have all done similar but the sensible ones keep it to ourselves

 

Headed out last night. I would like to point out that I didnt have fancy thermal such a RS and no girly rifle or tame foxes sat waiting outside the house like Oowee

 

I did have a an issue but not as bad as Dougy....headed out and spotted some nice eye shine under a hedge about 70 yards away. Sticks out, NV on, fox sat there, round away fox ran off but obviously hit....didnt present a second shot...

 

I headed out after him and found him a couple of fields over. Another shot away....missed...*** is going on. Checked the mod and it was loose.....idiot. Tightened this up and round number 3 put an end to it all. I absolutely detest causing any sort of suffering so felt a bit **** but at least I caught up with the fox and pretty swiftly as well. Nice size dog fox. No pic as round 3 was between the eyes so very messy. Happens to us all at some point....just not nice when it does.

[oowee]

Oooops Dougy ........ still you were on him and he will be back . Strange but i heard the same noise a few nights back

 

Mike you did well to track him and find him over a couple of fields well done. Lucky you didn't take a girly rifle with you, you might still be looking.

Bumpy always amazes me that he knows where to find anything that runs on, not easy in the dark.

 

RS that thermal sounds just what I need . I like the idea of being able to see stuff out at distance and watching it work the field. Must get that lottery ticket I have seen a number of small thermal systems the size of a mobile phone and one that goes onto a phone. Not sure they would be upto much but will take a look at the game fair.

Being new to all of this I still have lots of other stuff get I want to get, rifle, scope and mod in Feb, caller, quad sticks etc etc

[bumpy22]

Oooops Dougy ........ still you were on him and he will be back . Strange but i heard the same noise a few nights back

 

Mike you did well to track him and find him over a couple of fields well done. Lucky you didn't take a girly rifle with you, you might still be looking.

Bumpy always amazes me that he knows where to find anything that runs on, not easy in the dark.

 

RS that thermal sounds just what I need . I like the idea of being able to see stuff out at distance and watching it work the field. Must get that lottery ticket I have seen a number of small thermal systems the size of a mobile phone and one that goes onto a phone. Not sure they would be upto much but will take a look at the game fair.

Being new to all of this I still have lots of other stuff get I want to get, rifle, scope and mod in Feb, caller, quad sticks etc etc

ferrets, traps, high seats, night vision, chiller, etc etc the list is endless you might need to start working

[racing snake]

Delays because of this and that meant I had to shelve my original plans for tonight as the drive was too long. Instead I dashed up up a small permission I've got 10 minutes away from the house. Things didn't start well - pulled up at the courtyard, scanned with the thermal and saw a fox disappearing through the hedge in the first field. It's only a small 36 acre permission so it's not one you can walk round for hours. Kind of thought that was my chance gone. As I was there though I got setup and ran the vixen caller for half an hour. Saw a fox (possibly the same one) come down the big field behind the one I was in, and come through the hedge about 120 yards away. Easy engine room shot put her straight down. A mint vixen. Home an hour after setting off.

 

Edited January 26, 2017 by racing snake

[WelshMike]

Delays because of this and that meant I had to shelve my original plans for tonight as the drive was too long. Instead I dashed up up a small permission I've got 10 minutes away from the house. Things didn't start well - pulled up at the courtyard, scanned with the thermal and saw a fox disappearing through the hedge in the first field. It's only a small 36 acre permission so it's not one you can walk round for hours. Kind of thought that was my chance gone. As I was there though I got setup and ran the vixen caller for half an hour. Saw a fox (possibly the same one) come down the big field behind the one I was in, and come through the hedge about 120 yards away. Easy engine room shot put her straight down. A mint vixen. Home an hour after setting off.

 

Nice job there buddy, beautiful looking fox. I had to stay in last night as I have man flu.....fortunately my wife understands what a horrendous illness it is so gives me plenty of sympathy

Oooops Dougy ........ still you were on him and he will be back . Strange but i heard the same noise a few nights back

 

Mike you did well to track him and find him over a couple of fields well done. Lucky you didn't take a girly rifle with you, you might still be looking.

Bumpy always amazes me that he knows where to find anything that runs on, not easy in the dark.

 

RS that thermal sounds just what I need . I like the idea of being able to see stuff out at distance and watching it work the field. Must get that lottery ticket I have seen a number of small thermal systems the size of a mobile phone and one that goes onto a phone. Not sure they would be upto much but will take a look at the game fair.

Being new to all of this I still have lots of other stuff get I want to get, rifle, scope and mod in Feb, caller, quad sticks etc etc

Cheers buddy. I had an idea where the fox would go so glad I caught up with him, just annoyed I didnt drop him on the spot. I hate to see what happens to your bank balance when you get your ticket back

[WelshMike]

Racing Snake- Given your fancy pants kit what are your thoughts of the Drone Pro 15x?

 

What kind of range would you be happy to take a shot at, how do you cope with situations where the little blighters come charging in and are only 40 yards away, is it user friendly, whats it like without external IR?

 

Interested and jealous in equal measures Big birthday coming up for me so lets see...unfortunately not for 2 years though

[oowee]

Racing Snake- Given your fancy pants kit what are your thoughts of the Drone Pro 15x?

 

What kind of range would you be happy to take a shot at, how do you cope with situations where the little blighters come charging in and are only 40 yards away, is it user friendly, whats it like without external IR?

 

Interested and jealous in equal measures Big birthday coming up for me so lets see...unfortunately not for 2 years though

Do you have to retake your test?

[WelshMike]

Do you have to retake your test?

How rude...it is my 40th not my 70th so no tests to retake... If I ever get the pleasure of meeting you face to face remind me to give you a good hard slap

[racing snake]

Racing Snake- Given your fancy pants kit what are your thoughts of the Drone Pro 15x?

 

What kind of range would you be happy to take a shot at, how do you cope with situations where the little blighters come charging in and are only 40 yards away, is it user friendly, whats it like without external IR?

 

Interested and jealous in equal measures Big birthday coming up for me so lets see...unfortunately not for 2 years though

Hi Mike,

 

I think they're an amazing piece of kit! It's hard to describe the quality of the image, certainly the videos you see on the tube don't do it justice, I think there's some quality loss during the process of converting to video as the clips I see never do the scope justice in the flesh. As a reference point I've got a 6.5 x 50 Photon on the air rifle and there's simply no comparison. The Photon is harsh in contrast, lethargic in getting the correct exposure values, the Drone is instant and far superior in what you see through the eyepiece. I'd be happy to take a shot out over 200 yards with the Drone, with that kind of mag, and providing you've got a pretty good idea of bullet drop on the round you're using you can easily make out the target and its orientation (not purely eye-shine) and calculate a drop if you want to go beyond that. The scope is more than capable of seeing the target. Personally I don't go further than around 250 even though there's enough energy in the round as you're starting to get into the territory where bullet drop will start to increase a bit more dramatically. I zero at 1" high at 100 so I'm on the money for 200. If they come charging in it's generally no big deal as they're pretty big in the scope when you get onto them - good awareness of where you're looking and where you're pointing the gun and its relatively straightforward. That said in some situations undoubtedly the x10 would make life easier, but at extended ranges the x15 comes into its own.

 

I've found the Armasight IR more than capable with my Drone Mike. It's variable in power and virtually silent to operate - it feels a quality bit of kit. I'm sure the Dragonfly would give even further range but for me personally I don't need to shoot past 250 and I can still see a fox way beyond that. Also . .£250 for the Dragonfly . . that's a lot of wedge for something you don't 'really' need, plus I hear to get the best from the DF you need to remove the eye-safe filter and I really wouldn't want to be pointing that around knowing it could damage the eyesight of livestock, or my own! They used to supply the IR with the Drone but I think it's an extra now. Also the $-£ rate is starting to push prices up. A good indicator of how good they are - you rarely see one for sale secondhand.

 

There are some negatives though. It's a bit of a battery whore and it won't work with fully charged CR123 rechargeable. The voltage protection kicks in around 7.8v but fully charged CR123 can output over 8v. There's a few things you can do to get round this though. You 'could' buy one of the hideously expensive Armasight battery packs, or you can get someone who'll knock you one up to run on rechargeable AAs. I've got a couple of those knocking about somewhere that I don't use anymore and they do the job. I've had a voltage regulator made for mine so I can plug in a Pulsar EPS3 pack in. Both the reg and the battery fit in the butt pouch so there's no cables everywhere. You get get these regs made up for buttons, with a couple of jack plugs either end. Can run the scope all week without needing to charge the EPS3. Or another thing you can do is buy a brick of cheapo CR123a (non-rechargeable) from Amazon or eBay and just use them if you want. Duracell lithium Ion CR123 are £7 a pair, so stay away from them unless you're desperate! Also the scope won't get on with small rifles. I've tried it on my HMR and it's just too top heavy. Got it on a Tikka T3X at the moment and it drives tacks consistently.

Edited January 27, 2017 by racing snake

[oowee]

How rude...it is my 40th not my 70th so no tests to retake... If I ever get the pleasure of meeting you face to face remind me to give you a good hard slap

Oy this isn't a land rover rebuilding thread I am somewhere over your way to Cardiff and then the King Arthur in Reynoldston in May.

 

 

Out today on the deer. Saw 10 but came home without firing a shot Good learning and spotted a Muntjac

Out on the foxes tonight and I have a banker here. Expecting the RSPCA drop off later.

[Dougy]

Well guys. You'll be proud of me tonight, I actually managed to load a loaded round tonight and bagged me the one that got away the other night.

[racing snake]

Well guys. You'll be proud of me tonight, I actually managed to load a loaded round tonight and bagged me the one that got away the other night.

 

Nice one Dougy. He who laughs last...and all that

 

Rain stopped play for me tonight

[Dougy]

Nice one Dougy. He who laughs last...and all that

 

Rain stopped play for me tonight

It did for me at around 20.50 but thankfully this was job done by 20.15. Was only there 1/2 an hour.

[clumber]

I managed to get these 2 back in April last year. I'd seen the big one several times over the course of 18 months but was never able to get a safe shot.

Both were residing in a small quarry hole that had been cut into a sloping bank for the farms wall stone many moons ago.

I'd seen him the day before as we were feeding the ewes, most with lambs at foot, so I'd a good idea of where he'd be as the weather was set to be warm again.

Stalking round the wall side with the wind in my favour I crept up behind a thorn bush, he was asleep in the sun on the other, side. He didn't wake up.

As I slowly made my way down to the gate I spotted the other,smaller one, making its way down the opposite bank, he must have been sleeping and the noise woke him up.

Letting him get to the bottom where I'd a clear view, he didn't go any further.

I use a pre 1940 T.Wild 3" 3/4 choke both barrels with Gamebore Mammoth 42gms of 3s.

Hopefully the picture will resize.

[WelshMike]

Hi Mike,

 

I think they're an amazing piece of kit! It's hard to describe the quality of the image, certainly the videos you see on the tube don't do it justice, I think there's some quality loss during the process of converting to video as the clips I see never do the scope justice in the flesh. As a reference point I've got a 6.5 x 50 Photon on the air rifle and there's simply no comparison. The Photon is harsh in contrast, lethargic in getting the correct exposure values, the Drone is instant and far superior in what you see through the eyepiece. I'd be happy to take a shot out over 200 yards with the Drone, with that kind of mag, and providing you've got a pretty good idea of bullet drop on the round you're using you can easily make out the target and its orientation (not purely eye-shine) and calculate a drop if you want to go beyond that. The scope is more than capable of seeing the target. Personally I don't go further than around 250 even though there's enough energy in the round as you're starting to get into the territory where bullet drop will start to increase a bit more dramatically. I zero at 1" high at 100 so I'm on the money for 200. If they come charging in it's generally no big deal as they're pretty big in the scope when you get onto them - good awareness of where you're looking and where you're pointing the gun and its relatively straightforward. That said in some situations undoubtedly the x10 would make life easier, but at extended ranges the x15 comes into its own.

 

I've found the Armasight IR more than capable with my Drone Mike. It's variable in power and virtually silent to operate - it feels a quality bit of kit. I'm sure the Dragonfly would give even further range but for me personally I don't need to shoot past 250 and I can still see a fox way beyond that. Also . .£250 for the Dragonfly . . that's a lot of wedge for something you don't 'really' need, plus I hear to get the best from the DF you need to remove the eye-safe filter and I really wouldn't want to be pointing that around knowing it could damage the eyesight of livestock, or my own! They used to supply the IR with the Drone but I think it's an extra now. Also the $-£ rate is starting to push prices up. A good indicator of how good they are - you rarely see one for sale secondhand.

 

There are some negatives though. It's a bit of a battery whore and it won't work with fully charged CR123 rechargeable. The voltage protection kicks in around 7.8v but fully charged CR123 can output over 8v. There's a few things you can do to get round this though. You 'could' buy one of the hideously expensive Armasight battery packs, or you can get someone who'll knock you one up to run on rechargeable AAs. I've got a couple of those knocking about somewhere that I don't use anymore and they do the job. I've had a voltage regulator made for mine so I can plug in a Pulsar EPS3 pack in. Both the reg and the battery fit in the butt pouch so there's no cables everywhere. You get get these regs made up for buttons, with a couple of jack plugs either end. Can run the scope all week without needing to charge the EPS3. Or another thing you can do is buy a brick of cheapo CR123a (non-rechargeable) from Amazon or eBay and just use them if you want. Duracell lithium Ion CR123 are £7 a pair, so stay away from them unless you're desperate! Also the scope won't get on with small rifles. I've tried it on my HMR and it's just too top heavy. Got it on a Tikka T3X at the moment and it drives tacks consistently.

Cheers mate. it is nice to get a proper review from somebody who knows what they are talking about. Obviously works very well for you mate ...one for the wish list...still.

Edited January 30, 2017 by WelshMike

[WelshMike]

Oy this isn't a land rover rebuilding thread I am somewhere over your way to Cardiff and then the King Arthur in Reynoldston in May.

 

 

Out today on the deer. Saw 10 but came home without firing a shot Good learning and spotted a Muntjac

Out on the foxes tonight and I have a banker here. Expecting the RSPCA drop off later.

I am a bit higher up so more towards Welshpool bud. I might be down the bottom side of Bristol in a couple of weeks so might get the chance to come and see some tame foxes sat outside your house

Well guys. You'll be proud of me tonight, I actually managed to load a loaded round tonight and bagged me the one that got away the other night.

Well done mate. Seems you are finally getting the hang of this shooting lark

[oowee]

Tame foxes are giving me the run around. Tree nicely bated and Sunday night nothing. Last night spot one in top field mooching about. Try my latest mouth caller and in he trots. At last I am a true fox hunter calling them in at will He gets to the gate to my field (its open) and turns right along the hedge line and disappears I cant see so far to my left as the window is in the way. 15 mins later my front house lights come on and he is in the front garden. I wait another 30 mins but no show. More of the bait missing this morning.

Try again tonight.

[WelshMike]

Tame foxes are giving me the run around. Tree nicely bated and Sunday night nothing. Last night spot one in top field mooching about. Try my latest mouth caller and in he trots. At last I am a true fox hunter calling them in at will He gets to the gate to my field (its open) and turns right along the hedge line and disappears I cant see so far to my left as the window is in the way. 15 mins later my front house lights come on and he is in the front garden. I wait another 30 mins but no show. More of the bait missing this morning.

Try again tonight.

True fox hunter Change your name to "The Fox Whisperer" We will let you call yourself a true fox hunter when you get a proper rifle and shoot foxes other then RSPCA released ones that you feed in the garden

 

Good luck tonight mate, dont tire yourself out with all the effort. Could I also suggest that you put the bait on the ground not up a tree?

[racing snake]

unlucky oowee. At least you're managing to get out. What with rain and one thing or another I've not been out since last week.

Edited January 31, 2017 by racing snake

[tonker]

unlucky oowee. At least you're managing to get out. What with rain and one thing or another I've not been out since last week.

What do you mean, getting out. I reckon he was laid back in his favourite chair, glass of malt and girly rifle on the window sill, looking at a roaring log fire, and only looking at his tame fox's tied to a tree in his garden when he woke up.

Edited January 31, 2017 by tonker

[oowee]

What do you mean, getting out. I reckon he was laid back in his favourite chair, glass of malt and girly rifle on the window sill, looking at a roaring log fire, and only looking at his tame fox's tied to a tree in his garden when he woke up.

I was sitting chatting on PW with the log burner on looking out every 20 mins or so. Too wet to go outside. Civilised fox shooting dont you know? I have a neat little set up with the bait tree at about 60m behind the kitchen window. The NV (now i know how to adjust it) gives me about 300m of vision. I cant shoot to the left as there is a house over the back and the window works as a barrier in case i get carried away. All sussed just need the RSPCA to be more regular with the drop offs.

 

Last fri was out in the rain looking over a few farms but it was not fun. Bagged a couple of rabbits but that was all. Out again Wednesday night weather looks better.

[WelshMike]

What do you mean, getting out. I reckon he was laid back in his favourite chair, glass of malt and girly rifle on the window sill, looking at a roaring log fire, and only looking at his tame fox's tied to a tree in his garden when he woke up.

Somebody of the same fine opinion as me. No place in fox club for lazy shooters

 

I was sitting chatting on PW with the log burner on looking out every 20 mins or so. Too wet to go outside. Civilised fox shooting dont you know? I have a neat little set up with the bait tree at about 60m behind the kitchen window. The NV (now i know how to adjust it) gives me about 300m of vision. I cant shoot to the left as there is a house over the back and the window works as a barrier in case i get carried away. All sussed just need the RSPCA to be more regular with the drop offs.

 

Last fri was out in the rain looking over a few farms but it was not fun. Bagged a couple of rabbits but that was all. Out again Wednesday night weather looks better.

300m of vision and a girly rifle...how frustrating At least you have the ability to shoot at 60m, the training is going well then mate