Livestock Protection

[deeangeo]

Does anyone shoot fox with .22LR?
I have a friend in France keeping chickens, & reynard keeps dropping by & killing them despite his precautions.
He shoots pistols & can obtain a .22LR without trouble, but has concerns over a humane kill with such a small bullet.
Anyone care to comment please.
I’ve only ever shot fox with centrefire.

 

[Sonicdmb73]

At sensible ranges it is quite capable of a humane kill. It has probably been responsible for far more foxes than you would think.

 

[shakey jake]

head or bib shots work fine, bait station to hold it close enough, if cage traps and snares are legal this could work too

 

[Blobby159]

At sensible ranges it is quite capable of a humane kill. It has probably been responsible for far more foxes than you would think.

I have taken the occasional fox with my .22LR Anschutz rifle by baiting, sitting close in a 4x4 and surgically executing the pest with a bullet in the head as it tries to pick up and/or chew the freshly shot rabbit I had pinned to the ground with large construction nails. I adopted this method after having consecutive cheeky foxes trying to pinch the rabbits I had JUST shot but left out in the newly plowed field whilst I was yet sitting in my jeep waiting for other rabbits to show from that particular warren... As the fox bent forward to pick up the second rabbit I simply placed my illuminated scope reticle on the beast's forehead and squeezed off the easy shot, distance about 70 yards. Fox just dropped without further movement and I saw this as a great way to rid a few close in foxes the next visits to that spot, and I still use that method occasionally when circumstances permit. Easy, quick and completely silent with Winchester subbies from my moderated rifle.....

ATB ....... and shoot safely.

 

[Dunwaters]

It's no great trick to kill a fox with a .22, finding it afterwards might not be so easy.

 

[LuckyEddie]

Yep can be done. Just takes a bit of practice, especially at slightly longer ranges.

 

[enfieldspares]

You kill your fox and it creates a vacancy for one to occupy that now vacant territory. He will get a very short relief only.

Your neighbour would be better securing his livestock 100% that buying a rifle IMHO and securing them only 95%.

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

I've done it with a rifle sub 100 meters in the head but I prefer my .223 if I'm honest. If he's using a pistol though I don't know if it'd be accurate enough for a headshot at that range or have enough energy for a chest shot. In my opinion I wouldn't chance it with the pistol - each to their own I suppose

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

I have taken the occasional fox with my .22LR Anschutz rifle by baiting, sitting close in a 4x4 and surgically executing the pest with a bullet in the head as it tries to pick up and/or chew the freshly shot rabbit I had pinned to the ground with large construction nails. I adopted this method after having consecutive cheeky foxes trying to pinch the rabbits I had JUST shot but left out in the newly plowed field whilst I was yet sitting in my jeep waiting for other rabbits to show from that particular warren... As the fox bent forward to pick up the second rabbit I simply placed my illuminated scope reticle on the beast's forehead and squeezed off the easy shot, distance about 70 yards. Fox just dropped without further movement and I saw this as a great way to rid a few close in foxes the next visits to that spot, and I still use that method occasionally when circumstances permit. Easy, quick and completely silent with Winchester subbies from my moderated rifle.....

ATB ....... and shoot safely.

Do you use those 42 grain winchesters? I always found those to group terrible in my CZ455. Gunk up the chamber too after a handful of rounds. I stick to CCI subsonic HPs. They don't group as well as Eleys but definitely "minute of fox brain"

 

[arron]

He would need to check on the law in France to , I would imagine its different to ours , ours being pretty much more relaxed from what I gather ??

 

[The Singing Stalker]

If he can headshot or chest shoot then yes, i don’t recommend side on shots. I would also get him to keep his range close. Ideally under 50 yards.
can it kill farther? Yes
Is it the ideal calibration? No

 

[ashray]

tell him to contact his local control group and for a bottle of wine per fox they will deal with it legally and efficiently

 

[FrenchieBoy]

If he can headshot or chest shoot then yes, i don’t recommend side on shots. I would also get him to keep his range close. Ideally under 50 yards.
can it kill farther? Yes
Is it the ideal calibration? No

As the above post says the .22LR will kill a fox quite cleanly IF you keep the range sensible. Personally I would prefer to keep it within 50 yards (A .22lr should be capable out to further ranges but the 50 yards max range would be my personal choice) and if the shooter is competent then a head shot would (IMHO) be preferable to an "engine room shot". Having said that it is up to what the shooter feels confident with.
It might pay to check on the laws in France regarding "suitable calibres" for shooting foxes with but personally I would not want to attempt it with a pistol.

 

[deeangeo]

Thanks lads, I’m sure he’ll now feel happier about resolving this issue.
Cheers.

 

[Pedro]

Go back a few decades and you would have found a workman-like .22LR just inside the door of many farm houses, alongside a shotgun for general vermin work or humane despatch. In those days, I don't think there were as many "recreational" fox controllers and the amount of foxes despatched with one of those .22s would have been high.

But the ideal tool is a small centrefire calibre. It will have a longer range, be (arguably) more accurate in that holdover issues at reasonable ranges isn't a problem and, more than anything in my view, is more efficient and therefore more humane.

 

[steve54]

There's an interesting article by Mark Ripley in the latest edition of Rifle Shooter (Jan edition)
discussing the case for rimfire rifles as a foxing round..

 

[foxdropper]

More down to the man on the gun rather than the calibre .Seen too many run off scowling and enough dead on the spot to form that opinion .The .22 sub is one of those rounds that requires constant practice to realise the rise and fall at different ranges no matter the measured zero .
Mate of mine is an absolute master head shooting rabbits well out beyond 100 and as close as 5 metres all from a 50 yard zero .
The main benefit of the .22 is its quiet sound when moderated ,a bonus around buildings .

 

[Cyres]

Yes easy keep range sensible and suitable hollow point sub sonic. Easier over bait point.

D

 

[Blobby159]

Do you use those 42 grain winchesters? I always found those to group terrible in my CZ455. Gunk up the chamber too after a handful of rounds. I stick to CCI subsonic HPs. They don't group as well as Eleys but definitely "minute of fox brain"

No 'Hook'N'Bullet' For many years I have used the old style 40gr Winchester Truncated Cone Hollow Point sub sonics. They have always proved the most accurate and potent .22 LR subbies from my rifle, and I have tried most others out there. Never had anything but praise for those consistent wee things! No wax lubing that I have ever noticed so no "gunking" as you put it, around the chamber entrance...

ATB ...... and shoot safely

 

[Blobby159]

If he can headshot or chest shoot then yes, i don’t recommend side on shots. I would also get him to keep his range close. Ideally under 50 yards.
can it kill farther? Yes
Is it the ideal calibration? No

Wouldn't even go for the bib shots either to be honest, though easy enough to hit. It's where I zero my rifle (65yds) or closer, SURE brain shots ONLY for my part. Not worth stretching it either in range OR position of aim/impact point imho.. Keep it real and avoid both disappointments and, more importantly, avoid dealing out pain and suffering. Nothing, Pest or otherwise, deserves that!!

ATB ....... and shoot safely