Foxing on bonfire night
Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2020 12:30 am
I've always regarded bonfire night as a great chance to get into the spots where it's sensitive to shoot, as the tree huggers don't know you're there and can't tell shots from fireworks . Over the past 3 months I've been tasked to get rid of some town foxes released by the RSPCA near a friends smallholding. This is a regular occurrence and they know what to do, feeding every night in spots where it is safe to shoot and phoning me when the foxes are turning up regularly. Fox number one was easy, food in the middle of the horse ménage, me parked up on the terrace above and as he strolled in the shotgun with 50 gram BB's did the job. Number 2 was tempted in to a feeding spot in front of the dung heap, (to give me a good backstop), 30 yards away from the hidden Land Rover and he dropped to the 17HMR in this noise sensitive area. Number 3 took a while, about 12 visits before he and I were there at the same time for long enough to get a shot, the 22.250 sorted him when I got the chance when he couldn't resist some tuna and dog biscuits. I thought I'd got em all but 4 was eating the food the same night that 3 had bought the farm. Several more frustrating sightings over the last week, convinced me to play the joker, (sausages). I saw him on November 4th, but not enough firework bangs to mask my movement and he scarpered. Tonight he crossed in front about 7.30 as the fireworks died down, not enough light for a shot. At 8.15 I got a glimpse as he dashed out from behind some hedge clippings and grabbed a sausage. I settled behind the rifle and sure enough 5 seconds later he popped out again and as he selected his second banger the 50grain V-max from the 22-250 did its job and he dropped on the spot. That was it, or so I thought, I've just had a text from the owners saying there's yet another snacking at the food late tonight. Thank you to the Regular Suppliers of Pete's Cullable Animals, and I'll have to go back to get number 5.