Fox amongst lambs - help please a beginner

[20-250]

I was just about to post the exact opposite to the above statement.

Yep, I agree wholeheartedly. Red's just useless to me. Unless very close. Green works far better.

 

[old keeper]

I've never used anything other than white light for the last seventy years. I find that being able to be totally covert when waiting (by spotting with thermal) when you finally switch on the lamp because it is totally unexpected the fox nine times out of ten will stand long enough for a shot to be taken.

This is very different from being on the move or lamping to find the fox as they will be aware there is something afoot!

 

[20-250]

No doubt there's no real need for you to change now, old keeper, but I bet you'd find they stand longer in a green light.
I'm a bit behind you, only been killing them for 39 years, but I've picked a thing or two up!

 

[W1LL]

Find the earth. This time of year is great for it, wait til early evening get the wind right approach quietly and you’ll probably find them sunning themselves outside the earth

 

[old keeper]

No doubt there's no real need for you to change now, old keeper, but I bet you'd find they stand longer in a green light.
I'm a bit behind you, only been killing them for 39 years, but I've picked a thing or two up!

I've tried green, amber, red and white over the years and have a feeling blue was there at one stage too. I had limited success with some of them, but I always returned to white in the end.

 

[BenBhoy]

hobby sheep farmer

First problem!!

 

[VSS]

First problem!!

There's some very good small-scale sheep keepers, just like there's some very bad large-scale sheep farmers.
At least with the hobby flock owners they are generally willing to learn when you point out that they're doing something wrong, which is often more than can be said for the large scale boys.

(btw, Ben, I sent you a pm a day or two back. Did you see it?)

 

[Nickb]

Yep, I agree wholeheartedly. Red's just useless to me. Unless very close. Green works far better.

Red or Amber are the best , I found green and blue useless.

 

[BenBhoy]

There's some very good small-scale sheep keepers, just like there's some very bad large-scale sheep farmers.
At least with the hobby flock owners they are generally willing to learn when you point out that they're doing something wrong, which is often more than can be said for the large scale boys.

(btw, Ben, I sent you a pm a day or two back. Did you see it?)

Yeah I'm only (half) joking. I've been asked help couple of hobby flock once or twice & was gobsmacked. Mind you like you say, worst sheep I've ever seen was an arable neighbour who bought few hundred stores one autumn & then just sat back!!

Just replied mate, missed it.

 

[BenBhoy]

I've tried green, amber, red and white over the years and have a feeling blue was there at one stage too. I had limited success with some of them, but I always returned to white in the end.

I always thought blue was made for blood tracking??

 

[Smellydog]

I always thought blue was made for blood tracking??

No Ben, its been part of the spectrum before anyone wanted to track anything

 

[Cheviot]

Use a red light, green is pants for the user.

Red for foxes / cats , green for deer , Anber for rabbits, blue for when it's snowing look here

Striker 170mm Halogen Handheld Kit

Bonus value Kit including both Cig and Ali power options plus a red and green filter. The Striker Halogen delivers high performance and impressive light intensity in a smaller light with a 170mm reflector. For distance, power and value for money, the Striker Halogen is a great choice. Features...

au.lightforce.com

 

[long_range_rob]

Patience is your primary weapon. I use thermal to spot and NV to shoot as NV shows up all the undergrowth that thermal doesn’t.

I’m not far if you want or need a hand.

 

[gr cz527]

just to emphasise what w1ll says above. do a recce and find the earth. sit close on a run line out of sight and make sure you wont get winded. dog and vixen 1st then cubs. cubs can be a nightmare if not dealt with as can tend to go on killing sprees.

let us know how you go.

 

[Craigsaun]

Morning all
I’ve been asked by a hobby sheep farmer at the end of his tether to try and sort out a fox that’s taken a couple of lambs. I’ve shot foxes here and there but I’m not a foxer.

What’s the best way to go about this? Bait and wait out from early evening?

And if it is a vixen with young is this going to make matters worse / be unethical etc etc?

Thanks for any help.
ES

Don’t go worrying to much about night vision. There was a time when we all had just a lamp and a car battery, you have the main tool (a rifle ) and a bonus having a thermal, so sit tight and be patient

 

[Cyres]

This is what I would do.
Reccy area and note all the ranges. Find a spot with the best view and in a downwind position with some form of background.
You will need a chair and sticks or tripod to shot from.
A bog standard tight beamed LED torch with a beam out to 150 yds is ideal. Mount on scope.
Arrive about 45 mins before dusk and wait till 1 hr after sunset.
Wear gloves and sit still. Just watch with thermal and if you see the fox watch it. Move slowly and don't rush the shot.
Mount rifle on sticks line up using thermal. When ready flick on torch. Often fox will just look at you. You will have 3 secs to shoot it!
Aim at the biggest bit that will kill if so middle of shoulder.
Alternatively to all above reach out to a local foxer who will probably come and assist you.
D

 

[Smellydog]

Wear gloves and sit still.

Or PJ's

 

[Cyres]

Any update on your progress?
D

 

[Essexsussex]

Any update on your progress?
D

Hi - it was a misunderstanding between him and his wife who spoke with me! No lambs taken recently but the fox man didn’t show up at lambing time when they did loose a few, so next year. But there are deer to shoot in the meantime.
Thanks for everyone’s help I’ll be foxing nearby on a shoot for a while by the sounds of it too.

All new all good to learn.

Thanks again.

 

[John Gryphon]

Ask these blokes. 129 foxes. Two men x two days.
Scalped for the Vic fox bounty of $10.