Foxing tips

[BenBhoy]

Decide what sort of rifle support you are going to use and practice getting the rifle up & ready, whether it's a tripod with a yolk or clamp, a set of quadsticks or even just a single stick. Get it down to being an easy slick movement, stop, deploy, rifle up, on target. If you aren't practised then you'll end up clattering about, cursing under your breath or dropping something, sometimes Charlie doesn't want to play ball and you may not have much time before he's away through that hedge. Basically, get familiar with your equipment so that it becomes second nature.

Best advice so far

 

[Nickb]

having taken people out that smell like a tarts armpit

Yes you dont want to smell like that but washing your clothes makes no difference.
If you've got the wind wrong it makes no difference anyway what you smell like , game over. Having said that you never know ?

I've had foxes come in even when the wind is totally wrong and blowing straight to it , no rule book in the foxing game.

Shot these with washed clothes

 

[Pellet Pinger]

Yes you dont want to smell like that but washing your clothes makes no difference.
If you've got the wind wrong it makes no difference anyway what you smell like , game over. Having said that you never know ?

I've had foxes come in even when the wind is totally wrong and blowing straight to it , no rule book in the foxing game.

Shot these with washed clothes View attachment 362722

With a fag in your gob too?

 

[Nickb]

With a fag in your gob too?

Nah , no smoking that's disgusting

 

[Polar Lynx]

A saying:
Deer trust their eyes foremost
Boar trust their nose foremost
Fox trust their ears foremost

 

[Longstrider]

There is absolutely no point trying to 'mask' your scent unless you're able to hold your breath for an hour ! The average man expels about 6 litres of breath per minute and no matter how good your dental hygene Charlie will smell it if he's downwind and alert. Far better to work out where the fox is likely to come from and make sure you're not upwind of it when it comes.

 

[Smellydog]

There is absolutely no point trying to 'mask' your scent unless you're able to hold your breath for an hour ! The average man expels about 6 litres of breath per minute and no matter how good your dental hygene Charlie will smell it if he's downwind and alert. Far better to work out where the fox is likely to come from and make sure you're not upwind of it when it comes.

Its my arse that usually gives me away....and I thought they like rotting flesh kind of whiffs....

 

[Nickb]

Anyone with bad breath is knackered then

 

[Tugmanade]

Its my arse that usually gives me away....and I thought they like rotting flesh kind of whiffs....

I find the eggey ones the worst

 

[Tom C]

Have not read all the comments but if using thermal and have a foxing charging into the caller, kill the caller off when the fox is circa 50 yards off of it. I’ve seen them spook loads of times when what they have come in for is not there.

Also don’t beat yourself up when you miss a few, they’re small and twitchy, you get a second or two to shoot if they’re on the move.

Sometimes you get lucky and they will just sit down and stare at you if they’re not sure whats going on.

Few things i’ve seen / learnt over there years.

 

[Foxyboy43]

“Foxing Tips”? Huh! I’ll give you the best ever.
If someone gives you a Tenterfield “Whiffle” set it aside - preferably out of reach of everyone and nailed down secured in a lead-lined box; perhaps save it as a Christmas Pressie for a fellow stalker - obviously someone whose friendship doesn’t really matter to you. At least he/she (apparently there are some on SD who fit this descriptor - “they” know who they are) might at least find a use for the fekn lead-lined box.
Your lips, tongue, teeth, lungs, eyes, windscreen and anyone within 10 feet will thank you.
Do not ask me how I know - like ever….

 

[Len the dog]

“Foxing Tips”? Huh! I’ll give you the best ever.
If someone gives you a Tenterfield “Whiffle” set it aside - preferably out of reach of everyone and nailed down secured in a lead-lined box; perhaps save it as a Christmas Pressie for a fellow stalker - obviously someone whose friendship doesn’t really matter to you. At least he/she (apparently there are some on SD who fit this descriptor - “they” know who they are) might at least find a use for the fekn lead-lined box.
Your lips, tongue, teeth, lungs, eyes, windscreen and anyone within 10 feet will thank you.
Do not ask me how I know - like ever….

On the bright side, after a week of practising you will have absolutely no trouble pronouncing Welsh place names.

 

[Foxyboy43]

On the bright side, after a week of practising you will have absolutely no trouble pronouncing Welsh place names.

Ohh, there’s lovely….

 

[BenBhoy]

If using thermal spotter, check with it 360° every time you're about to move on.Checked, then for whatever reason you end up not moving on for another 60 seconds... check again, before EVERY relocation. They just ghost in out of seemingly nowhere.

 

[Phil fox man]

bit of a reality check! tips on the basics will help you get started but there is no substitute to real time experience and learning from your mistakes.
their are that many scenarios to give a cure all answer.
expect the unexpected!
I've been doing it 30 years plus and still am learning.
phil.

 

[Len the dog]

Indeed, when I started foxing I drew a complete blank for the first 8 outings, I made different mistakes on all of them but I learnt from what I was doing wrong, then it started to work and I rarely drew a blank after that until I had made good inroads into the local population.
You’ve been given a wealth of great advice so just get out there and learn from your own mistakes and above all, enjoy it.

 

[BenBhoy]

I've been doing it 30 years plus and still am learning.

I've been at it 5yr so hope for me yet!!

 

[Phil fox man]

eventually it all clicks into place,but the better you get when you **** up it hurts more
phil

 

[old 30-06]

Lots and lots of really good advice in this post, especially from foxerklw. Experience is the key. There is only one way to gain experience. The more you get out and try, the more experience you will have. It might not always work in your favour, but get out there.

 

[Nickb]

Yes just get out and gain as much experience as possible, no rule book !!
Some foxes are really dumb and some very clever.
A lot depends on which part of the country you live also , I find Northern foxes harder to shoot.
Every time I've been down South they have been much easier in my experience.