Fox, was it a hit or a miss?

[Ttocs]

A question for all you fox shooters out there.
I’ve shot foxes for many years but a fox I shot at, a couple of nights ago, has left me a little puzzled. I was shooting from a high seat, not my preferred shooting position, I’d waited for a fox that frequently visits the rearing field. The fox turned up and I shot at it at around 220yards (204 Ruger); I didn’t hear an impact, but the fox span round a couple of times with its tail in the air before making off into the field next door where I couldn’t follow it nor see with the thermal due to the hedges and very long grass.
Now I’ve shot many foxes; I’ve always noticed spinning with tail up in runners, weather it be 10’ or 20 yards. I’ve not seen this behaviour with a miss but that could just be me not seeing it. My question is, in your experience, do foxes spin with their tail up with a close miss or is this indicative of a poor hit. I think I’d probably rather hear I’d missed it rather than it ran off wounded
Thanks
N

 

[DVS1]

I only have limited experience with this kinda reaction but when I've seen it the fox has been hit further back and it's trying to bite the b'stard that bit it lol fortunately I've found mine approx 30-50m away dead so you may well find him in the field.

 

[B&W FOX]

I would say you tagged that on the rear quarter.

 

[Border]

Sounds like a hit.

 

[reloader54]

I you did miss completely its possible he was hit by debris from the close impact, and this would cause great panic but no other evidence of a hit, ie blood. a thorough search in daylight with a decent dog if you have one should put your mind at ease. I would check the rifle is zeroed before its next outing too.

 

[Matt.]

Could well of just skimmed it, had something very similar out of a high seat myself a month ago (also like yourself not my usual fox shooting position) about 190 yds, it bounced up in the air, span round twice and bolted off! Never found any blood or nothing. I kept going out almost every night to the same place as I was determined to get it. Eventually shot it at about 100 yds a week later, whilst it was mousing a freshly cut field, dropped it on the spot, went over to collect it and there was a clear bullet skim mark on its front shoulder.

So to help answer your question I’d say you most likely clipped it, or as Riddick has said maybe clipped the ground in front and hit it with some soil or slight bullet shrapnel!

 

[finnbear270]

All the ones I have had with similar reaction to shot have been found / picked-up after doing a circular search, many found behind the shooting position.

 

[Andyquadra]

I had one many years ago, it just ran, like it hadn't been hit. I looked at my brother in disbelief and shot a clod if earth next to where it was, direct hit!
I went to the shot site and found blood splatter, tracked it 60 odd yards and and found a coke can size exit wound.
Just put it down to shot placement and a fox full of adrenaline

 

[User00025]

Wife shot one once, complete abdomen contents left behind. Got terrier on it within 5 mins, it went 300 yds. 22/250 with 50gr ballistic.

 

[foxerklw]

I've stopped trying to guess why a fox does what..!! No matter how many times you've seen or experienced something, the little sods will always surprise you.

I had a fox that would run of first sight of a lamp, so I set up with the intention of taking a running head shot, I'd either hit or miss, nothing spoiled either way

I spotted the fox with the thermal, and knew where it would run, so got myself ready. Flicked the lamp on, and off it went. I tracked the fox and took the shot and it hit the deck like a sack of spuds. Quite chuffed with myself I knocked the lamp out and wondered down observing with the thermal.

I got about 50y away and the little fecker got up on all fours and ran like lassie lol. A few nights later I finally caught up with him and upon inspection my initial shot had clipped his skull, what this did I dont know or why it layed like it did for so long but it just goes to show you never can tell..!!

 

[Bramble]

Deffenatly sounds like a hit to me, tale up is a sure sign.

 

[Andyquadra]

I've stopped trying to guess why a fox does what..!! No matter how many times you've seen or experienced something, the little sods will always surprise you.

I had a fox that would run of first sight of a lamp, so I set up with the intention of taking a running head shot, I'd either hit or miss, nothing spoiled either way

I spotted the fox with the thermal, and knew where it would run, so got myself ready. Flicked the lamp on, and off it went. I tracked the fox and took the shot and it hit the deck like a sack of spuds. Quite chuffed with myself I knocked the lamp out and wondered down observing with the thermal.

I got about 50y away and the little fecker got up on all fours and ran like lassie lol. A few nights later I finally caught up with him and upon inspection my initial shot had clipped his skull, what this did I dont know or why it layed like it did for so long but it just goes to show you never can tell..!!View attachment 134682

I'd have thought you'd be on the floor, thinking, that f###ing hurts! Lol

 

[Ttocs]

Thanks for the replies. From my own experience and from the replies I’ve had, sounds like it’s down in the next field. Unfortunately, that field belongs to a different farm and I don’t want to ask if I can have a look. I haven’t seen that fox since so perhaps it’s gone for good.
N

 

[finnbear270]

I have shot live quarry for quite a long time, shots on running live quarry I reserve for daylight, I expect the people with respect for deer / no respect for vermin may be along soon. Just sayi'n.

 

[foxhunter]

I think it will be dead in the next field. Shot a few where there was no reaction to the shot and ran on anywhere up to 100 yds.

 

[User00003]

Once shot head shot one, ran off, got on a bus to Edinburgh and was later found in Whighams wine cellar in Charlotte square having a grand old time

 

[reloader54]

Once shot head shot one, ran off, got on a bus to Edinburgh and was later found in Whighams wine cellar in Charlotte square having a grand old time

really ,but enough of your adventures,, what happened to the fox?

 

[Tim.243]

I have shot live quarry for quite a long time, shots on running live quarry I reserve for daylight, I expect the people with respect for deer / no respect for vermin may be along soon. Just sayi'n.

Had this been a shot and lost deer post then the flood gates would have opened up with all sorts of advice/offers for a tracking dog etc. As it was not a deer then the tracking part would not come into it.

It does happen with all quarry, minimising the risk is key...

Tim.243

 

[reloader54]

Had this been a shot and lost deer post then the flood gates would have opened up with all sorts of advice/offers for a tracking dog etc. As it was not a deer then the tracking part would not come into it.

It does happen with all quarry, minimising the risk is key...

Tim.243

I did suggest tracking with a dog in my post #5 [Its what I personally would have done]
I do however take your point that no one volunteered as would probably be the case with a deer.

 

[hendrix's rifle]

I had one many years ago, it just ran, like it hadn't been hit. I looked at my brother in disbelief and shot a clod if earth next to where it was, direct hit!
I went to the shot site and found blood splatter, tracked it 60 odd yards and and found a coke can size exit wound.
Just put it down to shot placement and a fox full of adrenaline

Had one similar, 300 odd yard shot, 53g vmax at 3200fps blew a huge hole in the side of it, took its leg off at the shoulder and left a lot of blood. I could clearly see atleast a fist sized hole in it but no opportunity for a second shot. Never found it but it didn't get back to its den, the ground across the wall you could loose a herd of cows in it's that rough. Amazing how hardy they can be with adrenaline running through them