Didn't see anything hunting, but I definitely heard a lot. It thinderstormed for about an hour, but cleared up nicely after. There were sticks breaking on the ground and I heard something walking in the tall grass close to the blind. I really want to say it could've been the fox, but it could've easily been anything else too. I left the blind before dark and heard something run off from the tall grass. Didn't get a glimpse of what it could've been. I'm back in the blind today.
The fox seems a bit smart for live traps. I have tried them with no luck so far. He's also only been spotted during the day. He keeps coming up around the same time, between 3-5pm and will get very close to our house. He was no more than 20 feet from our windows. I searched my property thoroughly and I don't think the den is on my property, but I believe it's really close. I might go to some of the neighbors with chickens and ask if the fox has been seen or has been giving them any problems. I would love to free range my chickens again, but I won't until I can get rid of this fox. I don't have a problem with really any other predator. We've shot around 50 coons and possums total, they're pretty much eradicated in my neck of the woods and there's too many trees in my yard for hawks to easily land.
I really wish I could try the snares but my 3 dogs are outside a lot, especially my lab and he likes to roam the property and investigate everything. He really isn't for the idea of staying inside for any extended period of time.
Luckily I have 2 hunting blinds on my property. One is a converted tree house on the east end and the other is a ground blind in the woods on the other end. It's only 4 acres but it works out really well. The tree house blind overlooks the neighbors driveway that the fox ran down yesterday. The ground blind in the woods is usually for bow hunting in the fall but I might sit out there with some kind of bait.
I figure if I keep baiting over and over the same way, for days, the fox is going to make a mistake and visit again, I'll be ready when he does though.
The baby moniter is really a good idea. I currently have my trail camera on my coop so I can check of anything visits at night, but it'd also be good to hear if the chickens start alarming for any reason. Luckily my reinforcing has held up *knock on wood* and the fox hasn't been able to get in the run.
I have some raw chicken meat that ended up being too bloody to eat, I might try that as bait and see how that pans out..
I have a really good feeling I'm getting close. I don't know if its my "hunters instinct" or if I'm just losing my mind over this fox! Lol