Fox amongst lambs - help please a beginner

[Essexsussex]

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

 

[VSS]

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

Bait and wait.
But also get the farmer to consider why the lambs were vulnerable to predation in the first place, so he can take steps to prevent it in future seasons through better management.

 

[finnbear270]

Try to get above the scent line if you are not sure of it's approach direction, keep quiet!, be ready with a round up safety on, Lamp, or Thermal / NV?

 

[Essexsussex]

Bait and wait.
But also get the farmer to consider why the lambs were vulnerable to predation in the first place, so he can take steps to prevent it in future seasons through better management.

Thank you

 

[Essexsussex]

Try to get above the scent line if you are not sure of it's approach direction, keep quiet!, be ready with a round up safety on, Lamp, or Thermal / NV?

I need to sort an NV add on unless it turns up before dark. As I don’t have one yet, I’ll try until dark this eve.

 

[finnbear270]

I need to sort an NV add on unless it turns up before dark. As I don’t have one yet, I’ll try until dark this eve.

What range do you expect to shoot at?, If fairly close you could employ a dimmed torch.
Your farmer could help out.

 

[Essexsussex]

What range do you expect to shoot at?, If fairly close you could employ a dimmed torch.
Your farmer could help out.

I need to scope it all out this pm - thank you for quick response, maybe a green torch could work (have one I can borrow).

 

[Essexsussex]

What range do you expect to shoot at?, If fairly close you could employ a dimmed torch.
Your farmer could help out.

Actually i could use my thermal spotter then light up with a torch if I see it. I have a led lenser that would work well I think. Thanks again

 

[VSS]

Incidentally, when did these losses occur? It's now midsummer, not lambing time, so unless those lambs were born particularly late they should be well past the age at which predation might be considered a potential risk. Unless they were sick, or died of something else and were then predated. Which brings me back to my earlier comment re: management.

 

[GlennUK]

Actually i could use my thermal spotter then light up with a torch if I see it. I have a led lenser that would work well I think. Thanks again

You could also try calling it in, i have shot foxes at close range having called them in with a caller, this is what i used Best Fox Call Original – Best Fox Call quite effective even for a novice.

I sat still dressed in drab clothing with my back against a thick hedge, used this and the fox came straight towards me

 

[Essexsussex]

Incidentally, when did these losses occur? It's now midsummer, not lambing time, so unless those lambs were born particularly late they should be well past the age at which predation might be considered a potential risk. Unless they were sick, or died of something else and were then predated. Which brings me back to my earlier comment re: management.

Thanks vss - I need to find out more it’s a bit he said she said at the moment but I want to go with an idea so all this background is really helpful.

 

[old keeper]

I'd be inclined not to call as you want the regular visitor to be dealt with not just some passer-by!

By all means, put out some bait, but if it's been taking stock recently it will almost certainly turn up again.

Using a thermal spotter in conjunction with a decent scope-mounted torch works perfectly well, as you will let the fox get into a shootable position and then switch on the torch. Don't use the torch until you're ready to shoot. Almost always the fox will stand when the lamp comes on long enough for a shot. I've shot a lot of foxes this way and it works. Good luck.

 

[old keeper]

By the way, you may need patience as this process can take a considerable time, but almost always the fox will return in due course. At this time of year, I'd set up about 7.30 pm and wait till midnight at the latest. most will turn up either early or if not, around 10:30. But if you put enough time into it you should get the one you're after.

 

[Essexsussex]

Thank you everyone for your input. I feel I have enough info to work out a plan.

 

[Smellydog]

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

 

[Smellydog]

If there's a chance it's a semi urban fox bait it with your scraps under a tin or something. If you have no trail camera tie some fine line to the bait and the other end loop it around a little clock battery. Fix the clock down. You'll know what time he is turning up then.

 

[VSS]

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

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

 

[Buchan]

Thanks vss - I need to find out more it’s a bit he said she said at the moment but I want to go with an idea so all this background is really helpful.

I concur with VSS view on mortality/predation/scavenging. Hobby farmers can be quite poor in their understanding of sheep diseases. If they've died from pulpy kidney because the vaccine schedule is not correct then the fox may just be clearing up dead bodies.

 

[Smellydog]

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

You bloody would

 

[finnbear270]

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

Whatever colour, keep it dimmed down just enough to see without spooking it.