Out last night.
- Thread starter finnbear270
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Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
Nipped out early again tonite as so cold the thermal spotter will shine, so to speak. Down to the shore where a pair have been about the last few outings but oblivious to anything I put their way. Had hardly started hand squeak when I spotted a definite fox two fields away - maybe 500 and through hedges - up shot it’s head and swivelled in my direction then it set off at a canter towards me but I quickly lost it in the thick gorse hedges - definitely coming my way though. Rifle was already on the quads and I only had to take the Zulus off doze and I knew the record function would start again (I had recorded a cat as I approached my stand).
Important learning tip chaps - if you put the Zulus on doze whilst recording then wake it up it automatically starts recording afresh - or at least mine does….
Meanwhile …. as they have a habit of so doing, the fox appeared through my nearest hedge and going at some lick; a quick swivel of the sticks and I had it in the Zulus frame - still incoming at speed. As is customary, the by now legendarydementiaed demented duck brought it to a perfect standstill at what was later measured at 49 yds so it was only a matter of releasing the 50gns Vmax and down she, as it later proved to be, went.
Number one of 2025 - happy farmer and happy FB.
Important learning tip chaps - if you put the Zulus on doze whilst recording then wake it up it automatically starts recording afresh - or at least mine does….
Meanwhile …. as they have a habit of so doing, the fox appeared through my nearest hedge and going at some lick; a quick swivel of the sticks and I had it in the Zulus frame - still incoming at speed. As is customary, the by now legendary
Number one of 2025 - happy farmer and happy FB.
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
Forsooth and have at you my liege - there is a whole thread (or ten) on IRs…I know this is in the wrong place but this is where all the knight shooters hang out. So my question is, what ir do I need for the Alpex 4k
ColinBr
Well-Known Member
I use the Dark sun Blade on mine and it's brilliant, but I cannot recommend due to the latest debacle on the makers situation.I know this is in the wrong place but this is where all the knight shooters hang out
I know @Blackwood Outdoors do a good 1 with good reviews too from others
Rob22
Well-Known Member
I have the Blackwood outdoors on mine and it works fine for me up to 170m - I’m sure the more expensive ones are better but for £50 it does the jobI know this is in the wrong place but this is where all the knight shooters hang out
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
Sir Smelly of the round table checking in.
My big dog has buggered off. I could hear him about a mile off me. I think he has realized that in the interest of his health he should stay away for a while, we will see!
So I went to another farm and it keeps yielding.
Vixen came in to the hare squeal and then her sweetheart turned up not long after.
The vixen runs after a not ideal shot for the 222 but it didn't last long, the claret gushed!
My big dog has buggered off. I could hear him about a mile off me. I think he has realized that in the interest of his health he should stay away for a while, we will see!
So I went to another farm and it keeps yielding.
Vixen came in to the hare squeal and then her sweetheart turned up not long after.
The vixen runs after a not ideal shot for the 222 but it didn't last long, the claret gushed!
I started off this evening with a bit of disappointment. Clocked a fox approaching at 1810. Something, not me, caused it to change its journey and head into a ditch. A rapid, but quiet, relocation let me see it in a stubble field chewing something. Maybe it had heard a starter in the ditch. The long and the short of it was eventually it rose and presented a target. I bloody missed ! 
This brought my mind back to 2 nights ago when in a windy night I had 3 misses. That sent me home in a foul humour.
A zero check yesterday showed it was the wind or pilot error ,or both. I dealt with 2 of those foxes last night. Both approached from the same directions at virtually the same time.
So having missed one I took up position and the wait began. It was cold, it got colder. I was well wrapped up topside but the lower shanks were starting to feel it.
Then a fox slunk out of a hedge. Had a mosey, went back in and repeated this down the hedge. It kept on advancing towards the stubble field I was overlooking but seemed reluctant to approach closer. It took off out of sight and I was able to spot it some 5-600 yards away. By 9pm I was about ready to throw the towel in. Of course the fox appeared again in that ditch. Again it disappeared, I was now thoroughly frozen and made my way back to my Hilux.
The last glance, how often has that last glance been the downfall of a fox ? There it was a couple of hundred yards away up that hedge. I quickly got into position and waited as it mooched in and out of the hedge approaching me..
Happy ending, a big dog fox.
This brought my mind back to 2 nights ago when in a windy night I had 3 misses. That sent me home in a foul humour.
A zero check yesterday showed it was the wind or pilot error ,or both. I dealt with 2 of those foxes last night. Both approached from the same directions at virtually the same time.
So having missed one I took up position and the wait began. It was cold, it got colder. I was well wrapped up topside but the lower shanks were starting to feel it.
Then a fox slunk out of a hedge. Had a mosey, went back in and repeated this down the hedge. It kept on advancing towards the stubble field I was overlooking but seemed reluctant to approach closer. It took off out of sight and I was able to spot it some 5-600 yards away. By 9pm I was about ready to throw the towel in. Of course the fox appeared again in that ditch. Again it disappeared, I was now thoroughly frozen and made my way back to my Hilux.
The last glance, how often has that last glance been the downfall of a fox ? There it was a couple of hundred yards away up that hedge. I quickly got into position and waited as it mooched in and out of the hedge approaching me..
Happy ending, a big dog fox.
Out again this evening very cold and still. Like walking on cornflakes. Had a look around a new bit. Was blank till I was nearly back at the truck.Fox in last field sat down looking at me. Would have been a simple shot unfortunately back stop was the big French windows of a rather nice house about 50 yds behind it. Foxy lucky night. Went down to another perm saw 3 all at long range and moving v quickly. Must say thermal was excellent in this cold dry air.
Came home early and now sat infront of log burner sipping a wee dram.
Contemplating more timber splitting tomorrow prior to possible snow.
D
Came home early and now sat infront of log burner sipping a wee dram.
Contemplating more timber splitting tomorrow prior to possible snow.
D
Craigsaun
Well-Known Member
(NIGHT)!!!!!!!I know this is in the wrong place but this is where all the knight shooters hang out
Sorry
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
(NIGHT)!!!!!!!
This thread has no exclusions, equipment or otherwise, other than being at night, including the setting up at sunset, or packing it in at first light, obviously my original intent was for the control of predators, but hey ho here we go!.(NIGHT)!!!!!!!
I have ordered a click counter, the same as the shearer's use, I am going to sit through 200+ pages & try to collate the Fox count if possible, from post one.
Len the dog
Well-Known Member
Fisrt of all, a belated Happy New Year to all of my fellow fox worriers, and first outing of 2025.
I usually like to get to the start of my route just prior to darkness as there are often early customers out and about but yesterday I was helping my son with a University project, so didn't arrive until shortly after proper dark.
Kitted up and set off for my usual start point only to get to within about 50 yds and a fox came trotting along the edge of the field across me, no time to get up on the sticks before it disappeared into the rough. Gave a couple of squeaks but no sign, until a cock pheasant loudly burst from the hedge that I was alongside. Bugger, thought the fox was heading up on the other side to me where it would have winded me.
Moved to my usual spot a little closer to the belt of trees and got the rifle up, one squeak and out it came from the rough, trotting straight towards me. A tricky shot through long grass as time was definitely of the essence but I could just make it out through the glare of the IR on the grass. Not a clean kill, but the second finished it instantly. #1.
Carried on along my usual route and disturbed one just before my stand point, it stopped in front of the trees but on the brow of a small rise, gave a squeak to try to turn it but it instantly legged it, closely followed by a second one that I hadn't been aware of. Nothing else seen after that and as it was a bit parky out, decided to call it an early night at 19:30, but thermal battery was just about to die anyway.
I usually like to get to the start of my route just prior to darkness as there are often early customers out and about but yesterday I was helping my son with a University project, so didn't arrive until shortly after proper dark.
Kitted up and set off for my usual start point only to get to within about 50 yds and a fox came trotting along the edge of the field across me, no time to get up on the sticks before it disappeared into the rough. Gave a couple of squeaks but no sign, until a cock pheasant loudly burst from the hedge that I was alongside. Bugger, thought the fox was heading up on the other side to me where it would have winded me.
Moved to my usual spot a little closer to the belt of trees and got the rifle up, one squeak and out it came from the rough, trotting straight towards me. A tricky shot through long grass as time was definitely of the essence but I could just make it out through the glare of the IR on the grass. Not a clean kill, but the second finished it instantly. #1.
Carried on along my usual route and disturbed one just before my stand point, it stopped in front of the trees but on the brow of a small rise, gave a squeak to try to turn it but it instantly legged it, closely followed by a second one that I hadn't been aware of. Nothing else seen after that and as it was a bit parky out, decided to call it an early night at 19:30, but thermal battery was just about to die anyway.
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Len the dog
Well-Known Member
See you in 2026 then.I have ordered a click counter, the same as the shearer's use, I am going to sit through 200+ pages & try to collate the Fox count if possible, from post one.
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