I manage a small permission near me with rabbits top of the list of pests to manage, then pigeons and finally foxes. Rabbits are a constant problem as they burrow in the middle of fields which hazards cause lameness in the herd animals. Most years the farmer is happy with the lowish fox numbers, but this year numbers jumped and he has seen a couple hunting his chickens by day, and different ones roaming near his stables. I keep on top of the rabbit numbers pretty well with my .17HMR and the farmer is happy with that.
At his behest, I took just two foxes last year, both with the .223. To get them I used an ambush technique based on a week's crittur cam data which gave me the local foxes routes and times of movement. Seemples. This year's foxes seemed more random in where they presented on the property also popping up at different times of day. My strategy of the previous year was drawing a blank. So I decided to try and call them in instead. Using guidelines on YT re how to fashion a Tenterfield/Tumbarumba whistle, I fashioned a piece of stainless steel sheet metal into the object you see below. It takes a bit of practice to create the distressed rabbit sound, but once you master it, it is definitely repeatable. But could I make a sound that fooled a fox?
The second dilemma I had was that I usually carry the .17HMR as most of my shooting is for rabbits. I have never used that calibre on foxes and was apprehensive. After lots of web research I realised that most professional fox managers agree that the .17HMR is sufficient for foxes at ranges below 100m. So I decided to go out this evening with both rabbit and fox on the card using that one small calibre.
It could not have gone better. I collected 4 rabbits in fairly quick succession, the furthest being at 77m. All head shot off sticks, so clearly both rifle and myself firing on all cylinders. I then moved slowly and quietly through the sheep paddocks to the woods at the far side. [I know I am moving well when the sheep don't scatter as I pass] I took pains to open the gate to the woods quietly and, once inside, to step back into the shade of a large tree with my back to its sizeable trunk. Wind was not in my favour as it seemed to be blowing toward the denser growth ahead which was my natural arc of fire. Hey ho. I readied rifle and sticks and started my distressed rabbit routine. In less than 10 minutes a dog fox trotted into view about 50m ahead of me and turned side on. A gift! Any lingering doubts I held regarding .17HMR effectiveness on foxes evaporated as the dog crumpled on the spot as the little rifle's report resounded through the forest.
I waited motionless for an age. Slowly I heard the resumption of birdsong and an air of normacly return. Thrilled that my first call on my homemade whistle had worked, I started up a second round of distressed rabbit calling, pretty much just to relive and remember what I had just done. Well I was blowed if a second fox didn't trot into the top of the woods! This time a young vixen. A few more rasps and she drew near to the 50m mark and stopped sat upright. Chest forward. A second gift! And once again the fox dropped cleanly on the spot.
Look, I don't think I am Croc Dundee or anything, but I am pretty chuffed that fieldcraft, range work and DYI have all come together so sweetly. Happy days.
At his behest, I took just two foxes last year, both with the .223. To get them I used an ambush technique based on a week's crittur cam data which gave me the local foxes routes and times of movement. Seemples. This year's foxes seemed more random in where they presented on the property also popping up at different times of day. My strategy of the previous year was drawing a blank. So I decided to try and call them in instead. Using guidelines on YT re how to fashion a Tenterfield/Tumbarumba whistle, I fashioned a piece of stainless steel sheet metal into the object you see below. It takes a bit of practice to create the distressed rabbit sound, but once you master it, it is definitely repeatable. But could I make a sound that fooled a fox?
The second dilemma I had was that I usually carry the .17HMR as most of my shooting is for rabbits. I have never used that calibre on foxes and was apprehensive. After lots of web research I realised that most professional fox managers agree that the .17HMR is sufficient for foxes at ranges below 100m. So I decided to go out this evening with both rabbit and fox on the card using that one small calibre.
It could not have gone better. I collected 4 rabbits in fairly quick succession, the furthest being at 77m. All head shot off sticks, so clearly both rifle and myself firing on all cylinders. I then moved slowly and quietly through the sheep paddocks to the woods at the far side. [I know I am moving well when the sheep don't scatter as I pass] I took pains to open the gate to the woods quietly and, once inside, to step back into the shade of a large tree with my back to its sizeable trunk. Wind was not in my favour as it seemed to be blowing toward the denser growth ahead which was my natural arc of fire. Hey ho. I readied rifle and sticks and started my distressed rabbit routine. In less than 10 minutes a dog fox trotted into view about 50m ahead of me and turned side on. A gift! Any lingering doubts I held regarding .17HMR effectiveness on foxes evaporated as the dog crumpled on the spot as the little rifle's report resounded through the forest.
I waited motionless for an age. Slowly I heard the resumption of birdsong and an air of normacly return. Thrilled that my first call on my homemade whistle had worked, I started up a second round of distressed rabbit calling, pretty much just to relive and remember what I had just done. Well I was blowed if a second fox didn't trot into the top of the woods! This time a young vixen. A few more rasps and she drew near to the 50m mark and stopped sat upright. Chest forward. A second gift! And once again the fox dropped cleanly on the spot.
Look, I don't think I am Croc Dundee or anything, but I am pretty chuffed that fieldcraft, range work and DYI have all come together so sweetly. Happy days.
Great result Zambezi,way to go.john
