How soon after harvest?

[Tony Morgan]

When foxing, I try to get to cut fields on the evening of the day they're cut, but wonder if that's the optimum time and what other people do.
Does leaving it a day give foxes time to find it, and so a better chance? The uncovered and possibly minced-up mice etc will by then perhaps be scavenged by birds.
Or is the morning following harvest best?
Crop still lying or cleared stubble?
When cut, what crop do you find the best draw for foxes?
SD words of wisdom awaited.....

 

[Goingback]

If they are very local to the field, then the evening of being cut, they are usually out; although sometimes quite spooked by the cutting. The following few nights will draw others in from afar that may have come across it later during their travels. If there is good food to be had, they will show up there when first out. It is however, easier to catch up with them when the field is bare….. amazing how they can disappear in the middle of a rowed up field

 

[jall55]

Never a wrong time to be out on the field
They are active all the time and very opportunistic

 

[bobby18]

Found it best when fields are cleared.

 

[Smellydog]

Just got to keep looking. We can't book them for an appointment.

 

[Tony Morgan]

Just got to keep looking

No opinions then?

 

[Apthorpe]

I've found the next morning often good, and I assume the evening and overnight would be busy too. I usually abstain the same evening to give our keeper precedence, if he can be bothered.

 

[Fursty Ferret]

asap after its cut

 

[gixer1]

I don’t think the cut makes any difference other than the fact you can now see them - they may hunt the straw piles for mice after a cut but I would bet they have been there the whole time.

 

[jall55]

One thing is for sure - more chance of getting one sat in the field than sat at home
Im still out most nights even though the cover is 6 ft high - just in case
Not got one now for about 2 weeks but tonight could be the night !

 

[sir-lamp-alot]

Personally for me i like to be out the same night especially crops other than grass as the foxes will have been living in them in a lot of cases and they will be a little disoriented by the crop being gone or atleast thats my theroy and to be honest a 99% will just be peoples theories and what has worked for them.

 

[Apthorpe]

I don’t think the cut makes any difference other than the fact you can now see them - they may hunt the straw piles for mice after a cut but I would bet they have been there the whole time.

I think that the piled straw acts to concentrate the prey. The mice and othe prey will be in the straw and not in the stubble. Also that the straw is likely to contain the remains of the numerous animals which the harvester chopped up.

 

[BLUEROLL]

asap after its cut

This.

 

[gixer1]

I think that the piled straw acts to concentrate the prey. The mice and othe prey will be in the straw and not in the stubble. Also that the straw is likely to contain the remains of the numerous animals which the harvester chopped up.

Agreed,- when I’ve sat and watched straw piles you can see the wee beasties scurrying about in them…

 

[Andyquadra]

I found a night or 2 works well this year

 

[Taff]

Have shot them with combine in the field.

 

[Moray]

When foxing, I try to get to cut fields on the evening of the day they're cut, but wonder if that's the optimum time and what other people do.
Does leaving it a day give foxes time to find it, and so a better chance? The uncovered and possibly minced-up mice etc will by then perhaps be scavenged by birds.
Or is the morning following harvest best?
Crop still lying or cleared stubble?
When cut, what crop do you find the best draw for foxes?
SD words of wisdom awaited.....

Get in as soon as there cut . Especially the cubs

 

[StephenToast]

asap after its cut

Have shot them with combine in the field.

I have shotgunned foxes sat on the harvester.

I was sat on the harvester, not the fox.

Usually I like to be out as soon as I can after cutting it if I can find time and If I can keep my eyes open/not fall asleep over the rifle. Certainly the sweet spot is probably the first two days/nights.

 

[old keeper]

Get out the same night. I've often seen foxes hanging around when the field has been in the process of being topped.

The buzzards certainly arrive soon after cutting and I've often wondered if the foxes see them, a bit like some predators see vultures hovering over carrion in Africa.

 

[User00032]

When foxing, I try to get to cut fields on the evening of the day they're cut, but wonder if that's the optimum time and what other people do.
Does leaving it a day give foxes time to find it, and so a better chance? The uncovered and possibly minced-up mice etc will by then perhaps be scavenged by birds.
Or is the morning following harvest best?
Crop still lying or cleared stubble?
When cut, what crop do you find the best draw for foxes?
SD words of wisdom awaited.....

I go out on the first day if I can. I have seen a few on the headlands scoping out the new look to the field. Could be wrong here but my experience is that if I drive round the fields in a tractor ole basil brush doesn’t seem to take off so much. Wonder if they associate the noise/shape of a landrover or pick up with gettin the good news? On the original question then as far as I think anytime is the optimum time to be out there doing the job. Good luck mate.