WelshMike Posted February 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2017 After a few days and nights of being confined to my sofa/bed due to a major bad throat/cold I finally felt well enough to get off my bum and go for a walk with my 22.250 and relatively new NV kit. NV kit comprised of a Yukon Photon x11 and Black Sun B502 IR illuminator (supplied by Clive Ward) and a NV pistol grip spotter (supplied by Dave G aka 'somebloke'). As we're in full swing with the lambs at the moment it's so important to keep the foxes in check, I actuallly watched a 'stand off' between a fox and a ewe protecting her lamb in broad daylight yesterday afternoon. Left the house at around 22:00 and walked into a head wind the first few fields, stopping every so often to scan them. With the almost full moon breaking cover of the clouds every so often minimal ir was needed, could see 400yrds easily. Could hear a few lambs calling for they're mothers over a brow so proceeded slowly to the top of the hill and had another scan with the spotter, spotted one very small lamb laying on its own about 100yrds away and another in the hedgerow, I presume trying to keep concealed, at around the same distance. They're mothers, unusually, another 200yrds or so away from them to my right. As I carried on scanning I caught the unmistakable glinting eye shine of a fox working its way up the hill towards the lambs, about 300yrds from my position. Slowly I crouched down, dropping the legs of my Harris as I did so, then into the prone position. Another quick check through the spotter to confirm position of Charlie, and then swapping to view her through the Photon. A slight adjustment on the Photons focus ring had her pictured beautifully, she seemed absolutely oblivious to me as I tracked her through the scope. Watching her getting closer to the lambs (and myself) until at around 150yrds from myself, well within range now, I release the safety catch and give a little 'squeak'. She stops dead in her tracks at looks in my direction side on. Crosshairs pointed at her 'boiler room' I squeeze the trigger and send the 55grn BT on its way, I see the impact and hear the 'thwack' as the bullet hits home and drops her in her tracks. I've no doubt in my mind, one, if not both lambs would have been killed by this vixen, just so happens I was in the right place at the right time tonight. This vixen was the first fox I've taken using this NV combo and have to say, both worked brilliantly. Still getting used to the kit but on tonight's performance I'm sure to have many more foxes over the next few weeks. Wish I could post the pic of the Vixen and my set up, but keeps telling me the picture file size is too large:-( If anyone would be able to help I'd appreciate it. Finally a big thank you to Clive Ward for supplying the x11 mag Photon and IR torch, and to Dave G for supplying his home built spotter, both quality bits of kit at very good prices-cheers guys. Hope that didn't drag on to much? looks like an essay!:-) Well done mate. I set up a Photobucket account and put the pics in there (set it up as Private rather then public). Once you save your pics into it they are of a size that you can copy the image and paste it into your post. Keep up the good work. That's magic thanks foxbuster, I usually skip through the list of topics and can honestly say I hadn't noticed this foxclub thread. I'll be watching it in future - I enjoy reading stories about how a result is got - regardless of the mention. I think Clive is doing very well with those Doubler Photon's he sorts out - he keeps running out. EDIT: Well I've read the whole thread now and like the banter and studied art work that will take some beating. Looks like Mike is being greedy and must be spending most of his life in fields and I dunno what to make of a bloke who makes all that effort to get in front of someone's house then dress up and hide his beard to entice some bird with a white skirt and yellow blouse over for a frolic. I'd like to think I could join your club as the weather eases off enough to allow me out in some fields. Last time I went out in some frost with a member off here I wasn't far off needing an air ambulance with chest issues.... after about only 3 minutes out the car looking for the rabbits I'd shot. So I'm only going to be a fair weather shooter these days and need to replace the scope for my 17REM that I sold off to see me through a bit of a short term fund crisis. Things will get better when her indoors gets her deferred pension back pay and regular monthly cheque so I should be good to go out again in a few weeks. That then leaves the issue that most of my local patch is already spread very thin of fox with a few guys taking care of them. I'll hopefully do better further afield and have just today swapped my 05 Galaxy cab for an 03 X-Trail that I found with underseal... but that's for another thread. You are more then welcome to join the club buddy. We are a friendly bunch...well unless you object to fox shooting, banter, have feelings, expect sympathy at any point etc etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daieye Posted February 11, 2017 Report Share Posted February 11, 2017 Couple of Vixens from last night,the lighter fox came into cottontail rabbit call and she scented me before I had chance of a shot, I shouted whistled and screamed at her but she kept on running I had the scope on her thinking of a shot on the run but unlucky for her she hesitated before going under the fence and the 50 gr vmax stopped her at 180 yds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racing snake Posted February 11, 2017 Report Share Posted February 11, 2017 Nice work Diaeye. My chosen permission tonight is bleak, windswept and 1,000 ft above sea level. I'd best get some 'man-up' tablets in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted February 11, 2017 Report Share Posted February 11, 2017 Nice result Daieye. need to work on the photo's )) Rs I guess it's a good test of your thermal tonight. I am staying in ready for the game fair in the morning and looking at the weather made the right choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbuster Posted February 12, 2017 Report Share Posted February 12, 2017 (edited) Removed link:-) Edited February 12, 2017 by foxbuster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted February 12, 2017 Report Share Posted February 12, 2017 I think you have to select a picture then click the link on the right that says img and paste it in your post rather than give a link to your account Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbuster Posted February 12, 2017 Report Share Posted February 12, 2017 (edited) Trying to get pics uploaded onto here, but not being too computer savy, I'm struggling:-) Anyway, lost two lambs last night to Charlie, so went out around 20:00 to try and catch up with the culprit/culprits. Was my first night out using my new Icotec GC500 (having to take rucksack with me due to the amount of kit I'm now taking). Wind was picking up and plenty of cloud cover. Set up the caller approx 80yrds out and waited 10mins before calling with the distressed rabbit call, scanning with the spotter i picked up a fox running into the call-this was literally a few minutes from me starting to call. Managed to stop the caller before she got too close to it and sussed out something didn't add up. Switching to the Photon I picked her up in the scope. She was sat no more than 20yrds from the caller trying to work out what had been making the noise. An easy shot to the chest dropped her on the spot. Called for another ten minutes or so but to no avail, so decided to move to another favourite spot of mine only a couple of small fields away on top of a load of round bails. Again, set the caller up about the same distance as before and decided this was a good time for a quick cuppa from my flask:-) Coffee consumed, I started calling using a vixen call, 5 minutes later spotted a fox in the hedgerow. Now this one was quite apprehensive, but after some more calls he started to stroll slowly closer. At around the 100yrd mark he too decided sit down and have a think about it. He was facing straight onto me, cross hairs on chest and squeezed the trigger. Dropped on the spot again. Called for a bit longer but nothing else spotted. On retrieving the dog fox I found the round had gone through his lower jaw and then gone into his chest, can only presume he had dropped his head slightly as I took the shot, none the less though, clean kill. Two more foxes taken care of, hopefully all the lambs will still be alive and well in the morning. Never used to be a fan of traipsing around with a lot of kit, but getting used to it, and results seem to speak for them self. Edited February 12, 2017 by foxbuster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbuster Posted February 12, 2017 Report Share Posted February 12, 2017 I think you have to select a picture then click the link on the right that says img and paste it in your post rather than give a link to your account Ha, yeah, probably not a good idea:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racing snake Posted February 13, 2017 Report Share Posted February 13, 2017 (edited) Good work foxbuster, a succesful night's work. Saturday night wasn't very productive for me. Started off at the high altitude permission but after an hour of sitting tight with occasional running of the caller the cold wind was really starting to cut through me. Left the hillside and dropped down onto a couple of farms on the valley floor. Walked all the way up and back down, nothing seen. 45 minute drive to my next couple of permissions for the night (after a brief pit-stop at the golden arches for a refuel ) - rounds three and four didn't bring any success either, finally called it a night at 4:30 am without seeing a fox all night. Back out tonight and after getting an electric shock in the knackers off an electric fence that had been out of commission for months, I kinda thought it was going to be another one of those nights. Stuck to one large permission tonight, but it's kind of broken into two sections. There's about 70 acres of pasture surrounded by woodland, and another exposed section above the treeline on one side. Spent a couple of hours in the pasture, ran the caller occasionally but no sign of charlie. I've had over 20 foxes from this area since September so they're starting to wear a bit thin. Contemplated calling it a night, with a biting Easterly I didn't really fancy a spell on the hill but thought, as I was there I might as well get up there and run the caller for a while. Climbed up the slope, through the woodland and over the fence that takes you onto the top section. It's about another ten minutes walk to where I usually run the caller from here but thought I'd have a quick scan with the thermal before moving on. A few rabbits dotted about, and as I scanned further away there was the unmistakable heat signature of a fox sat looking straight at me, about 100 yards away. Got the gun straight on the sticks and switch the scope on hoping he'll sit tight. Picked him up straight away in the scope, still sat watching me - eyes like headlamps in the Drone. Squeezed one off into the engine room and down he goes. Tidy little dog fox. Edited February 13, 2017 by racing snake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted February 13, 2017 Report Share Posted February 13, 2017 I'm a bit too dyslexic to explain file sharing myself but there are several guides about photo sharing from 'photobucket' for example. Some guides went round the houses a bit but this one seemed quite easy to follow: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted February 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2017 Well done boys. My tooth extraction appears to have got infected so I have been on pain killers and rum all weekend so no shooting for me...off to the dentist now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbuster Posted February 13, 2017 Report Share Posted February 13, 2017 Thanks for the 'idiots guide' Dave G:-) Bet the local fox population are glad you've not been out Mike! Hope it gets sorted for you quickly mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted February 13, 2017 Report Share Posted February 13, 2017 I personally don't like photo host sites, you can't open them on some PCs with restrictions. I find it easier to resize to less than 300kb and add as an attachment. Using a simple resizing app is the thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOXHUNTER1 Posted February 13, 2017 Report Share Posted February 13, 2017 Good work foxbuster, a succesful night's work. Saturday night wasn't very productive for me. Started off at the high altitude permission but after an hour of sitting tight with occasional running of the caller the cold wind was really starting to cut through me. Left the hillside and dropped down onto a couple of farms on the valley floor. Walked all the way up and back down, nothing seen. 45 minute drive to my next couple of permissions for the night (after a brief pit-stop at the golden arches for a refuel ) - rounds three and four didn't bring any success either, finally called it a night at 4:30 am without seeing a fox all night. Back out tonight and after getting an electric shock in the knackers off an electric fence that had been out of commission for months, I kinda thought it was going to be another one of those nights. Stuck to one large permission tonight, but it's kind of broken into two sections. There's about 70 acres of pasture surrounded by woodland, and another exposed section above the treeline on one side. Spent a couple of hours in the pasture, ran the caller occasionally but no sign of charlie. I've had over 20 foxes from this area since September so they're starting to wear a bit thin. Contemplated calling it a night, with a biting Easterly I didn't really fancy a spell on the hill but thought, as I was there I might as well get up there and run the caller for a while. Climbed up the slope, through the woodland and over the fence that takes you onto the top section. It's about another ten minutes walk to where I usually run the caller from here but thought I'd have a quick scan with the thermal before moving on. A few rabbits dotted about, and as I scanned further away there was the unmistakable heat signature of a fox sat looking straight at me, about 100 yards away. Got the gun straight on the sticks and switch the scope on hoping he'll sit tight. Picked him up straight away in the scope, still sat watching me - eyes like headlamps in the Drone. Squeezed one off into the engine room and down he goes. Tidy little dog fox. Nice result RS.......at least the pic quality is getting better in the club Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted February 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2017 Thanks for the 'idiots guide' Dave G:-) Bet the local fox population are glad you've not been out Mike! Hope it gets sorted for you quickly mate. Cheers buddy Nice result RS.......at least the pic quality is getting better in the club Who is that comment aimed at Mark? If its me your invite to come down and see some proper foxes in an area where you can understand what people say is revoked.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foosa Posted February 14, 2017 Report Share Posted February 14, 2017 No drama's last night, turned up at a place I've not been to for a while, spotted this good sized dog and dispatched him with the .204 off the sticks about the 100 yard mark, another 4 hours wondering about in the icy cold wind and I didn't see any thing else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted February 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2017 No drama's last night, turned up at a place I've not been to for a while, spotted this good sized dog and dispatched him with the .204 off the sticks about the 100 yard mark, another 4 hours wondering about in the icy cold wind and I didn't see any thing else. Nicely done mate..apart from the cold 4 hours of course. I am going stir crazy at the moment as I cant get out...its pathetic how much pain having an infected gum can cause....hopefully off after Sika again this weekend, just making sure the weather is ok and my mate isnt working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted February 14, 2017 Report Share Posted February 14, 2017 Nice one Foosa and well done for the extra hours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOXHUNTER1 Posted February 14, 2017 Report Share Posted February 14, 2017 Cheers buddy Who is that comment aimed at Mark? If its me your invite to come down and see some proper foxes in an area where you can understand what people say is revoked.... Of course not Mike , there's much worse than yours Can you not understand Geordie like ........haway man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted February 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2017 Of course not Mike , there's much worse than yours Can you not understand Geordie like ........haway man Thanks....I guess...... Of course I can understand you bud...I have an app on my phone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racing snake Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Nice work again foosa. A couple of new permissions in this week from farms who want the foxes boxed off before the lambs are out. First one's cutting it a bit fine, went up today to get paperwork signed and found out lambs are going out on Saturday! Thought I'd best crack on tonight. Pulled up 8pm, climbed the first gate and had a quick scan with the thermal and there's a fox working its way towards me about 150 yards away! Straight on the Primos and picked her up in the scope and dropped her at about 130 yards. Walked over to pick her up, went back to the gun at the gate, topped off the mag, a quick scan and there's another at the exact same spot, I assumed it was the dog following her up as he was sniffing where I'd just dropped the vixen. Gave him the same medicine at the same distance. Didn't see any others but as the area's not been sorted early enough it's a pretty fair bet some are ready to move it. More work to be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Very nice RS new perm and early result. I was keeping an eye out of the window for a tame one but nothing doing. We have some Welsh bloke over next week with his posh truck so plan is to organise some of the tame ones and make sure all of the sheep are indoors Hopefully he will bring translating phone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foosa Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Nice one RS, always nice to pick a couple up early on a new permission, that will be a few less cubs come the spring as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbuster Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Nice work RS, what rifle/calibre you using, that a drone on top? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted February 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Nice work again foosa. A couple of new permissions in this week from farms who want the foxes boxed off before the lambs are out. First one's cutting it a bit fine, went up today to get paperwork signed and found out lambs are going out on Saturday! Thought I'd best crack on tonight. Pulled up 8pm, climbed the first gate and had a quick scan with the thermal and there's a fox working its way towards me about 150 yards away! Straight on the Primos and picked her up in the scope and dropped her at about 130 yards. Walked over to pick her up, went back to the gun at the gate, topped off the mag, a quick scan and there's another at the exact same spot, I assumed it was the dog following her up as he was sniffing where I'd just dropped the vixen. Gave him the same medicine at the same distance. Didn't see any others but as the area's not been sorted early enough it's a pretty fair bet some are ready to move it. More work to be done. Nicely done as usual bud Very nice RS new perm and early result. I was keeping an eye out of the window for a tame one but nothing doing. We have some Welsh bloke over next week with his posh truck so plan is to organise some of the tame ones and make sure all of the sheep are indoors Hopefully he will bring translating phone Cheeky devil...I will leave my velcro suit and tick blanket at home if the sheep are going to be hidden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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