Charlie, will I see you again?

[Maran14]

I’ll start this by saying, inexperience got the better of me.

I was asked by one of my permissions to remove a fox that had been making a nuisance of himself.
“He comes into the field every night at 20:30 and watches for a while before coming into the sheds”

Excellent - how often do we get a watch wearing fox that presents himself to us before causing mischief.

Sure enough, 20:31, Charlie appears and sits down nicely within range.
Down he goes.
It almost felt like cheating…

Back to the thermal before I go and collect and there’s another a field over!

I set up the caller and get everything perfect. I’ve even got a flask of coffee. What a night this is set to be.

Charlie Deux stops and has a listen and then starts coming over. Great stuff. On to a winner here.
I’m following him across the fields and occasionally scanning around me for any surprises, just like I should, right?

Well F**k me. As I come off Charlie Deux for a scan, there’s Trois. BUT he’s already at the caller!
I’ve clearly not been scanning enough.
Sensing something isn’t right, Trois turns and runs but is intrigued enough to keep stopping and looking back.
He stops and sits, broadside to me, so I settle myself and pull the trigger… just as he turns!

Trois escapes with a haircut and Deux hears the shot and bolts.

My question; has anybody had a similar experience and how do they tackle the now wiser fox?

 

[Brad93]

I missed one last week, similar thing. He came back last night, I made sure not to miss this time.

 

[Tf223]

Next time, I would venture out and avoid the use of the caller unless you find nothing on the ground by scanning.
Stick to thermal scanning, and only put the IR (if using NV) on it you really need and only for a speedy shot.
Either that or just try a different call, the same may spook him away if he’s clued up enough to put two and two together.

 

[Ajax]

Set everything up as you previously mentioned, but don't put the caller on until the the usual time has elapsed say 30- 40mins. Place some bait very evenly spread BUT not to much and Continually scan.
They will return

 

[Smellydog]

What was in the sheds?

 

[Cyres]

Always always scan around. Do not get fixated on the first one you see.
Also if walking out when you stop look behind you. Often an unseen fox will watch you pass and then continue on its way when it thinks the coast is clear.
D

 

[Dave_45]

Head on a swivel, they are fly things , I enjoy controlling them but I also have a strange admiration for them.

 

[VSS]

Head on a swivel, they are fly things , I enjoy controlling them but I also have a strange admiration for them.

You would not be a true hunter if you did not have admiration for your quarry.

 

[Maran14]

Next time, I would venture out and avoid the use of the caller unless you find nothing on the ground by scanning.
Stick to thermal scanning, and only put the IR (if using NV) on it you really need and only for a speedy shot.
Either that or just try a different call, the same may spook him away if he’s clued up enough to put two and two together.

Great advice, thank you!

 

[Maran14]

Set everything up as you previously mentioned, but don't put the caller on until the the usual time has elapsed say 30- 40mins. Place some bait very evenly spread BUT not to much and Continually scan.
They will return

Thank you. Unlike any of my other permissions, there’s plenty of rabbit at this one. I think I’ll head out a bit earlier and make sure I’ve got some rabbit to spread about.
Fingers crossed!

 

[Maran14]

What was in the sheds?

It’s a bit of a mix. One side of the yard has open sheds with sheep and lambs and the other side is gated with cattle and a smattering of bullocks.
No real preference I’m told, they seem to spend just as much time on either side according to the farmer!

 

[Maran14]

Always always scan around. Do not get fixated on the first one you see.
Also if walking out when you stop look behind you. Often an unseen fox will watch you pass and then continue on its way when it thinks the coast is clear.
D

Good advice and if I’m honest, I think this was part of my problem. I spent far too much time watching the 2nd in

 

[Maran14]

Head on a swivel, they are fly things , I enjoy controlling them but I also have a strange admiration for them.

Very accurate. They’re fascinating animals!

 

[landkeeper]

Simple , foxes are creatures of habit , if you see one in one spot at a certain time then the next day they will be there again give or take 10 mins or so
Just adjust your position accordingly and you'll get your shot
I've shot more foxes over the years using that approach than by any other method sit watch and wait if you don't get your shot that night you will the next if you watch the foxes route and adjust accordingly

 

[Maran14]

Simple , foxes are creatures of habit , if you see one in one spot at a certain time then the next day they will be there again give or take 10 mins or so
Just adjust your position accordingly and you'll get your shot
I've shot more foxes over the years using that approach than by any other method sit watch and wait if you don't get your shot that night you will the next if you watch the foxes route and adjust accordingly

Thank you.
In your experience, will a missed shot and locating the caller put the fox off?

 

[landkeeper]

Thank you.
In your experience, will a missed shot and locating the caller put the fox off?

Possibly they are clever creatures and learn quickly I've seen foxes quietly working a hedgerow turn and run at the sound of a lip squeek obviously had a bad experiece there lol ,but I'd forget the caller ! set yourself up so you can cover the area where you saw the fox last

 

[Smellydog]

You would not be a true hunter if you did not have admiration for your quarry.

It’s a bit of a mix. One side of the yard has open sheds with sheep and lambs and the other side is gated with cattle and a smattering of bullocks.
No real preference I’m told, they seem to spend just as much time on either side according to the farmer!

 

[Dazb1967]

Thank you.
In your experience, will a missed shot and locating the caller put the fox off?

I find they’re not put off by gun shot, They don’t know what a gun is and all they hear is a bang, Unless you have clipped and injured it and then it maybe a different story.

 

[Maran14]

I find they’re not put off by gun shot, They don’t know what a gun is and all they hear is a bang, Unless you have clipped and injured it and then it maybe a different story.

I hadn’t thought of it like that… I suppose in hindsight that makes total sense!

 

[Foxyboy43]

I’ll start this by saying, inexperience got the better of me.

I was asked by one of my permissions to remove a fox that had been making a nuisance of himself.
“He comes into the field every night at 20:30 and watches for a while before coming into the sheds”

Excellent - how often do we get a watch wearing fox that presents himself to us before causing mischief.

Sure enough, 20:31, Charlie appears and sits down nicely within range.
Down he goes.
It almost felt like cheating…

Back to the thermal before I go and collect and there’s another a field over!

I set up the caller and get everything perfect. I’ve even got a flask of coffee. What a night this is set to be.

Charlie Deux stops and has a listen and then starts coming over. Great stuff. On to a winner here.
I’m following him across the fields and occasionally scanning around me for any surprises, just like I should, right?

Well F**k me. As I come off Charlie Deux for a scan, there’s Trois. BUT he’s already at the caller!
I’ve clearly not been scanning enough.
Sensing something isn’t right, Trois turns and runs but is intrigued enough to keep stopping and looking back.
He stops and sits, broadside to me, so I settle myself and pull the trigger… just as he turns!

Trois escapes with a haircut and Deux hears the shot and bolts.

My question; has anybody had a similar experience and how do they tackle the now wiser fox?

Mais c’est la meme tout le monde - est naturellement la menage a trois est un grande problem - avec reynards aussi….