Fox, was it a hit or a miss?

[Ttocs]

Unfortunately the fox left the ground over which I have permission to shoot and ran into the next field and possibly beyond. Unfortunately, this ground is extremely rough pasture and full of cows with young calves and an abundance of hares; I’d probably have been there all night looking for it if it was indeed dead. I have two spaniels that would probably have helped me search the field if it wasn’t for the beast and hares.
N

 

[Cyres]

I would think it was a very superficial hit might have been on the spine. I had similar things happen with a .22 lr but the fox was found dead. In the .22 lr cases they were chest shot. What bullet were you using in your .204? I had a couple of very superficial hits with 39 gn Blitz King but in theses cases the fox as died on the spot.

D

 

[Ttocs]

Hi Cyrus, 32gr Blitzkings @ 3800. I swapped to Sierra after too many splash hits with V-max. The Sierras have been very good so far, this has been my first less than desirable result.
N

 

[Cyres]

Mine is running at 3550 with 39's and its just wonderful. Mostly no exit hole and internals reduced to jelly with central/ chest shot. Head shots are a bit messy. I have had a couple of high spinal strikes but still instant death. Another possibility is that the bullet may have hit something between you and the fox and the fox got caught in some shrapnel as the BK are quite frangible. All it would take would be a nettle stem or alike a few feet in front of the fox. I have seen a fox chest shot at about 100yds with a 6mm target bullet, the fox ran with its tail held vertically and it just went 60 yds at full speed and cartwheeled anmd fell stone dead. Bullet had penciled through the chest.


D

 

[VSS]

I reckon you hit it in the back end, but nowhere near the spine or any other major body part that would result in a knockdown. Possibly grazed or pencilled through the thigh muscle.

 

[finnbear270]

All in, just navel gazing really, a friend on here has a by line .... if it’s missed it’s a mystery ... if it’s hit it’s history.

 

[David N]

It's not always a hit as I have found out . This has happened on two occasions on the same fox. I know it's still fit and well because i have seen it on my trail camera. How do I know it's the same fox very distinctive markings n the rear.

 

[jb1]

1st thing i would have done is check POI from the same shooting position.
I recon its either a back end hit or complete miss, by checking your zero you would at least know were you should of hit your target. I get rather Pd off when i dont pick up, but if you shoot enough it happens, i was out Sat night and had a clear miss on one at just under 300 yards, under normal conditions it would have been OK but the wind coming from behind me and the fox ready to bolt i took the shot.

 

[hedge hunter]

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

Charlie's are tough little beggars in barnsley

 

[foxerklw]

Haha aren't they just lol

 

[landkeeper]

Tail up =hit fox