Foxing from the balcony....................

[martin 332]

I was asked by a mate that doesn't usually shoot foxes to help a farmer out that had some very brazened foxes in his lambing field that would just sit down and watch him,even with the lamp on them.So,I turned up at about 1900hrs which was when he said they usually turned up,I had a very nice shooting spot right on his balcony and I was sat on a picnic seat with the bipod rested on the wall,so,I was truly being spoiled.We were even offered constant tea/coffee......certainly not what I am used to,but,it certainly made a nice change.The problem fox was however conspicuous by his absence,an hour passed without any eyes in the lamp even with on/off calling,I was starting to believe that it was going to be a no show,but,up in the very far corner of the valley I spotted a glimpse of a pair of eyes,it was walking along the hedgeline(actually inside the hedge)which is right beside the road although it is so out of the way there are very few vehicles at night.I gave a few quiet squeeks and he came clear of the hedge and stopped,he just sat there for about 3-4mins(seemed like an age)and all of a sudden he leapt forward like a whippet out of the traps,and,he came down the valley at a hell of a pace.He had been around 250yds off originally,and,very quickly he was near 50yds,but,as I readied for the shot my mate that wasn't used to lamping(first time)couldn't keep the lamp in the right place,and,Charlie sussed something was wrong and started to skirt across the field in an arc and away from me,he was now running through the middle of the sheep that were going in all directions which further spooked him.I gave out an 'OI'but he wasn't having any of that and just kept going,so,I gave out an almighty squeek,and,he stopped immediately,and,he gave me a perfect broadside shot which hit him straight off his feet,with that I grabbed the lamp and flicked round the field to look for his mates,but,nothing else there,with that the farmer that was stood behind me put his lamp on the fox and he said he's still alive,I said he's dead,but he was doing the bicycle with his rear legs(just nerves)but,the farmer wanted it shot again,so,I felt obliged and hit him once more,and,he then led there still,a nice big dog fox..........

We stayed on for a good while waiting for another in the lambing field but to no avail,although on the way back to the truck I spotted another set of eyes down in a small paddock that was used as a bit of a store/dump,but this one was certainly cute to the lamp,and he never even slowed down to see what was going on,so,I took my mate back home(under the thumb)and went on to another farm where they had just lost 2 hens and 14 chicks to what I think is an old fox that has taken top doing his dirty work right next to the farmhouse and the kennels where the sheepdogs are overnighted.I have only shot over this farm for a year now,and I took over from a chap that had controlled the foxes(thats a laugh)for years,well,the first 12 months the farmer never lost a single lamb,and,as I said to him 'That is fox control' for you,and,not what the other guy was doing....waiting for the farmer to tell him that he had lost some lambs and then going down and shooting a fox,I don't know how they get away with it.Anyway,I walked the whole farm twice,but,no sign at all,so,I made my way back to my bed.I had a phone call from the farmer today saying that there was a Lurcher in the area that has been living wild and to keep an eye out for it,but,without a description I am just looking for a dog??? He told me he would get some more information for me,but,as I said,I have never seen it,and,I think I would of as I am around at night in the area a lot.Still,one happy farmer down one to go.........no peace for the wicked eh?

[dave1372 83]

Good stuff

[wint 3]

Well done Mart,sounds like you had it tough with all those brews,a nice seat & a balcony lol

Andy

[Yokel Matt 918]

A welcome change of pace for you mate... I'll bet you had you boots off and feet in a foot spa as well didn't you Top shooting and like you say - prevention is better than cure when it comes to Reynard

Edited March 19, 2010 by Local

[country-kid 2]

nice big fox

[martin 332]

Well done Mart,sounds like you had it tough with all those brews,a nice seat & a balcony lol

Andy

 

Alright Andy,it's a shame it aint always that cosy....lol

 

A welcome change of pace for you mate... I'll bet you had you boots off and feet in a foot spa as well didn't you Top shooting and like you say - prevention is better than cure when it comes to Reynard

 

I could of done with a foot spa Local mate,cos look at my toe.......

 

OUCH!!!

[Yokel Matt 918]

:sick: feck Martin that looks massively painful - I couldn't stand people touching my feet let alone ripping the whole bloody nail off. Looks like Riverdance is going to have to do without you for a little while. All the best

[Squirrel_Basher 17,102]

Michael Flatlys understudy is our Martin .I toe-d you it would be sore but well done on nail-ing that fox,lol.

[martin 332]

BOOM BOOM!