Fox club

[oowee]

yes mate will have go but whenyour ****** wet through at 12 30 at night been looking for fox for 15 mins in cold and wet conditions an 50 mins drive home up for work at 7 picture are the last thing on my mind lol but will try next time

I know that feeling.

I sometimes wonder why I do it. That is until the next night and I spot a pair of eyes

[racing snake]

Yey! A fox at last! Pretty jammy one too. Got to my first permission and parked up, then I have to climb the nosiest gate on the planet; had a quick scan before getting over, nothing in the field, I climb over (with all the clattering and banging), walk about 10 yards, have another quick scan with the thermal and there's a fox about 40 yards away from me just trotting off. I reckon it must have been in a slight dip in the field when I got over the gate. Quickly got on the Primos, reckoned she had about another 100 yards to go before she got to the hedge, powered up the scope expecting to see her bolting off into the distance but she's stopped again about 70 yards away and was having a bit of a nosy about. Bear in mind I'm stood in the field with a three quarter moon blaring down. Reckon RSPCA might have been for a visit . Put one in the engine room and down she goes. Tidy little vixen but didn't look like she was carrying cubs. Stayed out for another couple of hours but nothing else seen.

 

Edited March 9, 2017 by racing snake

[WelshMike]

Yey! A fox at last! Pretty jammy one too. Got to my first permission and parked up, then I have to climb the nosiest gate on the planet; had a quick scan before getting over, nothing in the field, I climb over (with all the clattering and banging), walk about 10 yards, have another quick scan with the thermal and there's a fox about 40 yards away from me just trotting off. I reckon it must have been in a slight dip in the field when I got over the gate. Quickly got on the Primos, reckoned she had about another 100 yards to go before she got to the hedge, powered up the scope expecting to see her bolting off into the distance but she's stopped again about 70 yards away and was having a bit of a nosy about. Bear in mind I'm stood in the field with a three quarter moon blaring down. Reckon RSPCA might have been for a visit . Put one in the engine room and down she goes. Tidy little vixen but didn't look like she was carrying cubs. Stayed out for another couple of hours but nothing else seen.

 

Well done mate

[WelshMike]

Ok boys, there seem to be some members on here who are getting a little unruly...not naming names but Foxhunter 1 is a good example. As the founder of Fox Club I would like a little bit more respect please

 

Back out last night. Virtually daylight and 2 farms that are normally quiet. Stopped and hand squeaked in one spot to be met by the brightest eye shine I have seen. Over to the NV, couldnt see the culprit. Flicked the torch and there was another set of eyes about 400 yards away...another fox? Checked through the scope and it was indeed the same fox attempting to break the land speed record across the neighbors fields. Must have spotted me ....

 

Over to the second farm which is only about 40 acres. Up to the top of one of the banks and spotted some nice eye shine across the valley. Saw the fox curled up under a tree. No amount of calling would move him so shot him where he was having a rest at about 130 yards. Small dog fox and a happy farmer. Sorry about the pic, I needed to turn him for a suitable photo as the shot made a mess of his head.

 

[Hendrix's rifle]

Ok boys, there seem to be some members on here who are getting a little unruly...not naming names but Foxhunter 1 is a good example. As the founder of Fox Club I would like a little bit more respect please

 

Back out last night. Virtually daylight and 2 farms that are normally quiet. Stopped and hand squeaked in one spot to be met by the brightest eye shine I have seen. Over to the NV, couldnt see the culprit. Flicked the torch and there was another set of eyes about 400 yards away...another fox? Checked through the scope and it was indeed the same fox attempting to break the land speed record across the neighbors fields. Must have spotted me ....

 

Over to the second farm which is only about 40 acres. Up to the top of one of the banks and spotted some nice eye shine across the valley. Saw the fox curled up under a tree. No amount of calling would move him so shot him where he was having a rest at about 130 yards. Small dog fox and a happy farmer. Sorry about the pic, I needed to turn him for a suitable photo as the shot made a mess of his head.

 

Are they tyre marks across its back?

[Dougy]

I've just seen babbs's photo, it's not good at all. Very disappointed in the overall effort there. The lighting is, well, erm,,, Mmmm.

 

Lol

 

A very good effort with regard to the rifle shooting though babbs, no doubt you slept well. ;-)

 

And racing snake, that bag of your has truly got to pen and ink by now surley, or is the same fox all the time ?

[WelshMike]

Are they tyre marks across its back?

Damn...I was hoping nobody would notice

[racing snake]

I've just seen babbs's photo, it's not good at all. Very disappointed in the overall effort there. The lighting is, well, erm,,, Mmmm.

Lol

A very good effort with regard to the rifle shooting though babbs, no doubt you slept well. ;-)

And racing snake, that bag of your has truly got to pen and ink by now surley, or is the same fox all the time ?

Hehe, yeah it's due its annual wash Dougy, but not until summer. Need to get the composition right for the photos though or I'll get a whole heap of ridicule. Edited March 10, 2017 by racing snake

[WelshMike]

I've just seen babbs's photo, it's not good at all. Very disappointed in the overall effort there. The lighting is, well, erm,,, Mmmm.

 

Lol

 

A very good effort with regard to the rifle shooting though babbs, no doubt you slept well. ;-)

 

And racing snake, that bag of your has truly got to pen and ink by now surley, or is the same fox all the time ?

Ever the critic

[FOXHUNTER1]

Dear Chairman of the Fox Club I promise to be on my best behaviour in future.

 

It may become a bit boring though without the banter .......

 

Well done on the foxes I am having no luck at all .....saw 2 again last night but no opportunity for a shot.

[WelshMike]

Dear Chairman of the Fox Club I promise to be on my best behaviour in future.

 

It may become a bit boring though without the banter .......

 

Well done on the foxes I am having no luck at all .....saw 2 again last night but no opportunity for a shot.

Apology accepted. Your invite to come and shoot some Tame, RSPCA foxes is reinstated.

 

You may continue your abuse as I cant cope with you being any more boring then you already are. At least when you write it down I can understand what you mean..unlike when you phone me...fog on the Tyne...what?

[tonker]

At last, after what seems an age I connected again, not that I've missed any, but for about 2 weeks I haven't seen any when out or there was no shot on when I did.

Weds farmer told me there was a fox amid his ewes and lambs, I went over and was fogged off, Thurs went back, and was bright moonlight but settled into a hedge and watched. Saw a pair mousing at the end of the field, hoping they would move closer as they were over 200 away, and I'm not that good .

As soon as I moved in that moon they were off,so I thought I'd take the chance while I had it, and walk the side of the wood and make plenty of noise while I was doing it. Couldn't miss the area they were in as it reeked for about 40yds.

Last night I came straight home from work, and after scaling the field on earth decided where I'd secrete myself. (near a tree at about 140ish) from where I thought they would be, I arrived before dark and got set, couldn't sit because of a new stock fence, blackthorn all around so couldn't move much. Made the most of it by using a straining post and struts for cover, and there I waited only using the photon with no ir at all, I could see enough and thought I'd flick the mn800 on if and when the time arose.

I stood there for about 2 1/2 hrs and then eventually from a different direction than I thought this one came trotting down the field ( best laid plans and all that). Still more there but I think I'll see if we can get a bait station going with some Rabbits. Oh it was in bib out sternum, but had to show like this for obvious reasons.

Edited March 11, 2017 by tonker

[racing snake]

Nice one tonker, and well done on the 2 and half hour wait! It's really rewarding when you put that much effort in and it comes out as planned (though agree, they never come from the direction you think they will )

 

Friday nights are never a possibility for me but I'm out tonight.

Edited March 11, 2017 by racing snake

[oowee]

Seems like we have all been out well done all. Hendrix I think you are right there is definitely a tyre like pattern on that fox.

 

We were out yesterday and had something of a red letter day. Off to look for deer in the afternoon. Surprisingly not much about at 1600 until eagle eye (That was me yesterday ) spot a couple of bucks laying up in the field over. Hoping there might be a doe a quick stalk down see's the only doe making a quick exit to the boundary. Walked much of the farm to see not a lot so get in the motor to try the other side.

 

On the way out we spot two at the back of the wood. Opening the car doors before turning of the engine, we get out to watch them run into the wood. We decide to go across the upwind side and circle the wood. Far side see's the original group running over the field and then three come out right in front. One stops perfectly at about 150m and drops on the spot. Another runs down into cover and with little in sight Edd takes her with a neat shot to the back of the head.

 

I leave Bumpy to gather the harvest and set off after a group of four trotting to a far field but they are quickly out of sight. Then I spot another grazing at about 100m and take her from the quad sticks. Shot is good but she runs into the wood just behind and after waiting a few minutes I cant find it. A frantic search in last light drew a blank and we went home with the two. (I went back today and found her just 20m from where she was shot)

 

Then out after the foxes we started at a favorite farm and whilst we were looking up the field the first fox came out to the right and was sat maybe 40m watching us from the track. I turned to set up and off it went up the hill. Stopping maybe two or three times but not quite long enough to get off a shot. Gasp!! Now its way up the hill and white light is on and i pass the gun to Bumpy to have a go. Sure enough it stops for a moment and its down.

 

Off to the other side of the farm and we call one from maybe 400m but its close to the skyline. I am on the sticks it stops bang in the sights at about 50m and i here wait till i stop it. Thinking its not a safe shot at this point i lift my head to see it is and off it goes into the hedge. At which point another is coming up from behind. I turn to face it and its hesitating at 150m and with the ground we need it closer. Then the original fox is coming back from behind so i turn to face that but its back in the hedge then turn back to the last one and there are two there. Wait ages for one then they all come together. At last one comes into a shootable spot and an easy shot see's it n the ground.

 

Two down and the end of a memorable day.

Now pictures I have the flash working on the moby but its not improved the quality. Promise to try harder.

[FOXHUNTER1]

Good session there mate. Pity you never picked the doe on last light , I wouldn't be eating that one mate , use as fox bait.

[racing snake]

Nice work Grant, Ed.

 

Currently sat at home, twiddling my thumbs - raining AGAIN!

[oowee]

Good session there mate. Pity you never picked the doe on last light , I wouldn't be eating that one mate , use as fox bait.

Took the legs cooked them for the dog. Bumpy suggested the carcass for fox bait. I was on my own and with the legs in a bag it was too hard to drag across the fields to the truck to take to my sacrifice tree so I had to park it in the scrub. Interesting for me it was still warm at 0900. Even so it made some deflating noises when i opened her up.

 

Shot was placed just behind shoulder. I was a bit annoyed at myself for taking the shot so late in the day close to a wood and then not to find it even though it did not run in. Still learning and find that i loose the sight picture when I take the shot so not seeing what happens properly. Lesson learnt, next time i will go for a higher shot.

[FOXHUNTER1]

Yep you need to follow through with the shot to witness the shot reaction, I have shot a few deer where there is no reaction at all to the shot also , always best to check even if you think you missed.

 

The only way to learn is to experience these things and hopefully learn from them.

 

I once shot a buck that didn't react to the shot at all , it just stood there as if nothing had happened, My mate was taking the **** and I couldn't undertand how it was still standing as the shot felt good. Then after around 20 seconds the said buck started wobbling and duly collapsed.

 

On gralloching the deer I discovered that the shot was a perfect lung shot ......but the deer just never knew it was dead.

[bumpy22]

Yep you need to follow through with the shot to witness the shot reaction, I have shot a few deer where there is no reaction at all to the shot also , always best to check even if you think you missed.

 

The only way to learn is to experience these things and hopefully learn from them.

 

I once shot a buck that didn't react to the shot at all , it just stood there as if nothing had happened, My mate was taking the **** and I couldn't undertand how it was still standing as the shot felt good. Then after around 20 seconds the said buck started wobbling and duly collapsed.

 

On gralloching the deer I discovered that the shot was a perfect lung shot ......but the deer just never knew it was dead.

He is doing well part of the learning. He did well to follow up the morning after. He now understands why its better to get up for dawn rather than dusk. He takes everything in. But if he shoots enough he will have to deal with losing one

[WelshMike]

Seems like we have all been out well done all. Hendrix I think you are right there is definitely a tyre like pattern on that fox.

 

We were out yesterday and had something of a red letter day. Off to look for deer in the afternoon. Surprisingly not much about at 1600 until eagle eye (That was me yesterday ) spot a couple of bucks laying up in the field over. Hoping there might be a doe a quick stalk down see's the only doe making a quick exit to the boundary. Walked much of the farm to see not a lot so get in the motor to try the other side.

 

On the way out we spot two at the back of the wood. Opening the car doors before turning of the engine, we get out to watch them run into the wood. We decide to go across the upwind side and circle the wood. Far side see's the original group running over the field and then three come out right in front. One stops perfectly at about 150m and drops on the spot. Another runs down into cover and with little in sight Edd takes her with a neat shot to the back of the head.

 

I leave Bumpy to gather the harvest and set off after a group of four trotting to a far field but they are quickly out of sight. Then I spot another grazing at about 100m and take her from the quad sticks. Shot is good but she runs into the wood just behind and after waiting a few minutes I cant find it. A frantic search in last light drew a blank and we went home with the two. (I went back today and found her just 20m from where she was shot)

 

Then out after the foxes we started at a favorite farm and whilst we were looking up the field the first fox came out to the right and was sat maybe 40m watching us from the track. I turned to set up and off it went up the hill. Stopping maybe two or three times but not quite long enough to get off a shot. Gasp!! Now its way up the hill and white light is on and i pass the gun to Bumpy to have a go. Sure enough it stops for a moment and its down.

 

Off to the other side of the farm and we call one from maybe 400m but its close to the skyline. I am on the sticks it stops bang in the sights at about 50m and i here wait till i stop it. Thinking its not a safe shot at this point i lift my head to see it is and off it goes into the hedge. At which point another is coming up from behind. I turn to face it and its hesitating at 150m and with the ground we need it closer. Then the original fox is coming back from behind so i turn to face that but its back in the hedge then turn back to the last one and there are two there. Wait ages for one then they all come together. At last one comes into a shootable spot and an easy shot see's it n the ground.

 

Two down and the end of a memorable day.

Now pictures I have the flash working on the moby but its not improved the quality. Promise to try harder.

Lovely job gents, well done

[WelshMike]

He is doing well part of the learning. He did well to follow up the morning after. He now understands why its better to get up for dawn rather than dusk. He takes everything in. But if he shoots enough he will have to deal with losing one

Good teacher and good student (though it pains me to say so).

 

Lets be honest, the more you shoot the more you learn and unfortunately the more likely something is to go wrong or not as intended. As Ed says it is much easier to go out first thing and find them in the light then the other way round but there will always be the one that gets away.

 

Taking shots that drop the animal on the spot are likely to carry other risks and may not be a popular choice for many shooters (head and neck shots). All the Sika I get a chance to shoot have to be taken with such shots due to the nature of the site (you cant have them running off any distance).

 

Keep up the good work boys ...apart from the pics which are rubbish

[WelshMike]

Headed out round a few farms last night despite it being bright with the moon and rather calm. Pitched up at the first piece of ground and called for a bit. No luck. The ground is new to me and I havent had much of an explore so I decided to head up to the top of the ground.....up a very steep bank....Some time and some huffing and puffing later I got to the top and caught my breath....and there was a vixen calling away. She wouldnt present a safe shot so I set the caller going with the vixen call, dog call and gekkering...about 5 minutes later she started calling again and skirted round the bottom side of where I was waiting to try and get downwind of me. I got set up and picked her up in a wood halfway down the bank somewhere near 120 yards away. Waited for her to clear the fence, round away, fox jumped and off she went.....bad start to proceedings....put the shot just underneath her. She headed out of the wood and stopped for a little while in the neighbors field so no shot again....Headed off down the bank in a foul mood as I get more an more annoyed when I miss shots that there is no cause to miss....but thats how it goes.

 

Off to farm 2, nothing, farm 3 nothing so tired and a bit grumpy I decide to head home. I decided to call in on one part of a farm for a very quick look. Stopped the truck, flicked the torch over the ground, fox in the one field. Rifle out and get set up on the bonnet of the truck. Quick 2 minutes of hand squeaking and the fox is about 70 yards away behind a fence but I can clearly see the wire so aim just under its chin and bang, fox down. Nice dog fox (one of last years cubs looking at his small size).

 

Felt slightly better after getting him but still wound up about missing the vixen....better luck next time...numpty

 

[Grandalf]

Did better than me last night.

With that big full moon I saw nothing but shadows.

Unbelievably bright night.

[WelshMike]

Did better than me last night.

With that big full moon I saw nothing but shadows.

Unbelievably bright night.

I have had some good results on nights where there is a full moon but very much dependent on the range at which you first spot the fox. Under 100 and it tends to be the back of the fox legging it across the field never to be seen again (as happened last week ).

[racing snake]

Nice work on the dog Mike, but shame about the miss. Know what you mean about being grumpy after a miss, it drives me mental when it happens. Never my fault though....always the gun's . Managed to get out after the rain for a couple of hours on Saturday night but nothing seen. Moon was a bit too much Sunday and Monday but some cloud tonight convinced me it might be worth a couple of hours out. Decided to head up over the high hill to stretch my legs a bit. Got over pretty quickly and set the caller up and took my spot in the gorse bank. Ran it intermittently for 30 mins or so and spotted a fox far off (about 500 yards) heading left. It was semi-interested in the caller but I think it was trying to get around the wind on me. Once it disappeared from view I put the caller on mute, trying to force its hand to come back to where it was and work down towards me. Waited half an hour but no sign of it so went down a nd picked the caller up and started to trek back up the slope. Just got to the top and had a quick scan around and there was a fox back near where I'd been running the caller! Dropped back down the slope as quick as I could and took position in the gorse, got the gun on the sticks and waited. He was still a touch too far, as he was heading in my general direction I just let him be and watched him in the scope. Once he got to where I thought I could have him I gave him a quick squeak to bring him to a stop and then sent him the bad news. Nice clean shot straight the shoulder and he dropped without a twitch. Moon broke through not long after so called it a night after that.

 

Edited March 15, 2017 by racing snake