Foxes running, too early surely?

[2Ll’s]

I was out stalking this evening and it was getting last light 8.00pm ish, when I picked up 2 foxes in my thermal spotter.

They were walking at a steady pace, in a straight line with one definitely following the other with great focus. I managed to stop them and shot the lead one, the other ran off. Turns out it was a vixen.

I didn’t think too much of it until I went into the very next field to see exactly the same thing happening with 2 more foxes, one following the others every step. I couldn’t shoot either of these as dark had come and I didn’t have my thermal scope on.

Any opinions from the more experienced to the fact that they could be running this early would be appreciated, no comments on the amount of foxes in two fields , not long had the permission, that will change this winter.

Thanks Neill

 

[jall55]

Bit early - but wouldnt normally be too long

 

[Cyres]

Saw similar last week. Dog foxs seem to be on a mission at present.
D

 

[Bo Diddley]

A pal shot three cubs on the 10th March, they were independent and grubbing about on a lifted beet field, you can do the math.

 

[hairlesshunter]

Bit early - but wouldnt normally be too long

That’s what my Mrs says

 

[Neddle]

A pal shot three cubs on the 10th March, they were independent and grubbing about on a lifted beet field, you can do the math.

We once shot a vixen heavy in cub in November!

 

[Greenmist]

I was out last night, all I saw were hares and badgers

 

[Nickb]

Too early I would say.

 

[kenbro]

We once shot a vixen heavy in cub in November!

Novembers usually the time the dogs get frisky in our area.
KB.

 

[Smellydog]

Yep, I shot a few a couple years back in early October. One pair were oblivious of everything and anything! She was ripe and the dog was hanging around me with his now dead lover just 30 yards away. He paid dearly for it also....

 

[2Ll’s]

Well they are running here, went out to the same land last night, saw one that was on a mission and shot it, a vixen, then 5 mins later another came into the same field and very purposefully followed the same line the vixen had. Got that one too which was a lovely dog. Saw another couple just like the other night, one following the other, got one of them, another dog. Maybe global warming is affecting them , I have plenty more to get so will see what the next couple of weeks brings.

 

[old keeper]

It's extreme;y rare to see signs of mating this time of year, as neither the dogs nor the vixens have started to come into season. It's more likely that the pairs of foxes seen running together are the cubs of the year still hunting with their parents or siblings.

 

[2Ll’s]

It's extreme;y rare to see signs of mating this time of year, as neither the dogs nor the vixens have started to come into season. It's more likely that the pairs of foxes seen running together are the cubs of the year still hunting with their parents or siblings.

I thought that, but the four I have shot are all fully grown mature foxes, I tried to upload a pic but it is too large to attach (have that a lot, I guess due to the quality of phone cameras now).

 

[JTO]

A few years ago, a hunt follower told me he had seen cubs above ground between Christmas and New year, 2 years ago, I shot a vixen with a dog on her back in February!

 

[Bo Diddley]

A pal shot three cubs on the 10th March, they were independent and grubbing about on a lifted beet field, you can do the math.

Here's a picture of two of the cubs my pal shot. If you say the gestation period is about 9 weeks, and the cublets are 9 weeks, that would put the mating mid-November.
That's still early.

 

[Dazb1967]

A few years ago, a hunt follower told me he had seen cubs above ground between Christmas and New year, 2 years ago, I shot a vixen with a dog on her back in February!

The old keepers I shoot with told me it was common many years ago to shoot pregnant vixens around Christmas time

 

[Nickb]

Here's a picture of two of the cubs my pal shot. If you say the gestation period is about 9 weeks, and the cublets are 9 weeks, that would put the mating mid-November.
That's still early.
View attachment 437580

Gestation period for foxes is 51-53 days not 9 weeks .

Up here they dont start pairing up until December usually.

 

[Bo Diddley]

Gestation period for foxes is 51-53 days not 9 weeks .

Up here they dont start pairing up until December usually.

Should have Googled it ... my bad.

 

[Nickb]

Should have Googled it ... my bad.

Google is your friend

 

[Smellydog]

Last year I saw cubs in February. I missed one of them otherwise I'd of produced a photo back then.
The vixen I shot in October with her dog was very much in season!
I think milder winters are causing it. A big freeze should fix it...if we have one.