Shhh I’m hunting a fox!

[DaisyG2317]

I’ve seen the fox in day and night hours so it wouldn’t surprise me if he were to take one while free ranging
I’d rather be safe and take out the potential threat

I have found that "nocturnal" predators are pretty good at adjusting their clocks if there is something delicious nearby! For all the supposed "nocturnal" raccoons they must not have gotten the memo at my house, I see them frequently in the middle of the day.

But my rifles see them too

 

[schmedlap]

.22 rifle with a scope. practice until you can hit what yer shooting at. keep yer eyes open

 

[RRRescue]

So I knew I had a fox around. Just couldn’t find him. Anyways it’s 730/8pm and I look out my window to see how the birds are and if they’re starting to go in their coop.
I see them all flocked to one side of the run staring at something....
I look over and I spy a fox.
well I wasn’t gonna let him get any closer cause they’re my birds. I grab my .45 and fire one off at it.
I did not expect to hit as it was 50-60 feet away and I was standing at the back door of the house.
Well it ran off quicker than my sons snot rockets fly.
How likely is he to return tomorrow night around the same time?
what if I put a live rooster (I have 7 in my flock and one is a jerk I’ve been considering culling) inside a small wire dog cage (alive) and use it to bait the fox.
I have my rifle and my bow nearby now so he won’t escape again. I promise you that.
I just need to know what you experts might have to say on when I might expect him, will he try coming the same way again? Will live bait help?
Thoughts? Ideas?

If your run & coop are built correctly, you have nothing too worry about from a fox...no need to kill it for just approaching to snoop.....it shouldnt ne able to get in either the run or coop.......just wishing he had food...but unable to get to the chickens......unless you skimped out building either.......you shouldnt be killing every wanna be predator that isnt in the act of killing....

 

[chickencoop57]

I've only seen one fox walk up to my welded wire run, about 2 months ago and havent seen him since, so if they have a schedule, its news to me.

 

[mowin]

If your run & coop are built correctly, you have nothing too worry about from a fox...no need to kill it for just approaching to snoop.....it shouldnt ne able to get in either the run or coop.......just wishing he had food...but unable to get to the chickens......unless you skimped out building either.......you shouldnt be killing every wanna be predator that isnt in the act of killing....

I kinda agree with you. People free range. Predators need to be taken.
My coop and run is like fort Knox. I don't free range. MOST predators get a pass at my place, except a coyote.
If a coon or a fox is just passing through, takes a quick sniff, and continues on, no prob. If they start to dig, climb and freak my gals out, I kill them.

 

[RW1984]

To address all those that are wondering why I go after the foxes, I’ll sum it up for you.
One of my chickens has gone missing while free ranging, my neighbor has lost a couple of their chickens as well.
My place is not built like Fort Knox and there are improvements to be made. Same as my neighbors I’m sure. However in regards to my situation I don’t have the finances to spend a lot on my run especially in light of COVID and everything else. I have a family to provide for as well.
if a fox comes by and leaves, great.
If it comes by and I see it and it comes back or stays off in the wood line, I’m not going to risk losing another bird. I would very much like my birds to free range without fear.
These birds cost money, the food costs money and I’m not in the habit of letting money go freely.
if you are let me know and I’ll be happy to take cash check or money order.

 

[kimdk]

I live trapped 4 fox and gave 4 others lead poisoning since beginning of April. I am hoping there aren’t anymore coming my way. Yes, you can live trap, it just takes patience and an extra large trap.

 

[Lids]

So I knew I had a fox around. Just couldn’t find him. Anyways it’s 730/8pm and I look out my window to see how the birds are and if they’re starting to go in their coop.
I see them all flocked to one side of the run staring at something....
I look over and I spy a fox.
well I wasn’t gonna let him get any closer cause they’re my birds. I grab my .45 and fire one off at it.
I did not expect to hit as it was 50-60 feet away and I was standing at the back door of the house.
Well it ran off quicker than my sons snot rockets fly.
How likely is he to return tomorrow night around the same time?
what if I put a live rooster (I have 7 in my flock and one is a jerk I’ve been considering culling) inside a small wire dog cage (alive) and use it to bait the fox.
I have my rifle and my bow nearby now so he won’t escape again. I promise you that.
I just need to know what you experts might have to say on when I might expect him, will he try coming the same way again? Will live bait help?
Thoughts? Ideas?

Are foxes not protected as a species?

 

[centrarchid]

Are foxes not protected as a species?

Red Fox and Grey Fox are not protected when it comes to protecting livestock. Most protections otherwise geared to managed abundance for use as fur bearers.

 

[cmom]

I kinda agree with you. People free range. Predators need to be taken.
My coop and run is like fort Knox. I don't free range. MOST predators get a pass at my place, except a coyote.
If a coon or a fox is just passing through, takes a quick sniff, and continues on, no prob. If they start to dig, climb and freak my gals out, I kill them.

I agree.

Practice, practice, practice... The mark in the center is what I was aiming at. I got a new peep site for my .22. It's similar to this one.
https://www.amazon.com/Tasco-22-Rim...rds=red+dot+peep+sight&qid=1598642768&sr=8-50