I often find myself frustrated at the lack of free time I have to do the things I enjoy most, primarily hunting predators. But it is an accepted trade off. The bills don't get paid magically and doing things for/with the family are always a priority above all else. So the other week my 11 year old nephew wanted to go call fox for the first time. I told him we could and we set a date. As the days went by, in the hustle and bustle of everyday life when that promised date finally came I had forgot...it was a call from my father that reminded me because he said the kid was sitting there waiting for me...I had a bunch of things I was tied up with that night but I knew in my mind I had better get my stuff together and come through for him..not to mention, I needed it too, hadn't made time for myself in several weeks. So, by the time I gathered the gear up and made it over there, we had time for 2-3 stands. We rushed out the door and headed to our first spot. My nephew was content just seeing the whole process and tagging along and being out at night for the first time. He had previously accompanied me on his first coyote hunt last year during daylight in which I called in and shot one within the first ten minutes. So, his expectations were high for a fox since according to him they were "easier than coyotes because they are everywhere"...the pressure was on! After an empty stand we headed out to a spot that I had been keeping on the back burner...I have to admit, he stayed well engaged and made out to be a handy partner. As we exited the truck and trekked toward our calling location I had caught a fox trotting down the dirt road in front of us. It was fitting since on the ride over I had been explaining to him the importance of remaing as silent as possible from the time we park the truck and until we reach the truck when we leave at the end of the hunt. We hastily set up shop and I lip squeaked to see if I could turn him back our way.. he would turn and look back but wasn't having it..he kept going on down the road..since our present location was less than ideal, I whispered to him we were going to quietly move to a better vantage point. He moved hastily yet quietly. I could still see the foxs eyes a good way out across a hard road in the next field over. Not wanting to waste any more time I started calling with my mouth call (thank you Bees) ...the fox was interested but not quite committing.. So I called a bit more excitedly..boom.. he was on the move..myself and my nephew were both feeling the adrenaline..the fox hit that dirt road again and made his way back and he wasn't messing around..the rest is just going through the motions..we ended up with a nice black bellied dog..as we drove back to the house, both recounting the events of the night, I was reminded that even though I can't hunt as often as I'd like, sometimes one short night is all that's needed to make it all worth it. Thanks for letting me share.
