Red Fox - On The Hunt Down (Looking For Advice)

[Fox Hunter]

FNG here and looking at learning all I can from you who have been there and done that in hunting down Red Fox.

Yesterday I picked up a FoxPro Wildfire along with the Fox Jack 2. I have never used a calling device like this in my life nor am I versed on hunting animals with a rifle. I have trapped Red Fox, Coons and Possums with cages and leg holds however.

I have spent 20-years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps and have used many different weapons and ammunition, but I am not versed in sight optics for rifles. I'm an iron sights kinda guy. Would be a learning curve for me to learn to use a scope.

I own a couple .45 ACPs and a Ruger 10/22 Takedown. I actually purchased the 10/22 after having to deal with the predators around our mini-farm.

We own a bit over 3 acres of land and have a flock of chickens and turkeys along with goats and rabbits. With almost each year, we let our guard down...mostly in the winter season...and let our flock out to free range...big mistake with food scarce for the varmints.

Last week, we lost 5 of our chickens and I'm on track to hunt down the Red Foxes, which are our biggest challenge.

I have some questions that I'd like to ask of you vets out there all with regards to the Red Fox....

- What electronic calls have worked best for you (from my readings, appears the Bay Bee Cottntl and the Vole Squeaks are two tops)?

- If using a decoy, what decoy has worked best for you?

- What times of the day seem to be the best for you for hunting?

- Hunting at night, how do you best deal with seeing your sights and target?

- If using a scope, what manufacturer and model would you recommend?

- If using a light system, what manufacturer and model would you recommend?

I'm sure more questions will arise as I continue my education on this....

I'm really excited to get started and taking these predators down. I do know a guy who can help me with getting the hides tanned as well...as I don't want these kills to go to full waste. My taking these Red Foxes out help the rest of my neighbors as well as we have other small farms in the community.

I also reside in the Central Virginia area and when I found out that the FoxPro was a US Made product....and it was made not all that far from me....that just gave me more reason to purchase the product. 

Thank you all for your time.

Mark

[uncle buck]

Mark....get yourself a bulb squeaker..Hunt with the wind in your face.. Do you have a 22 WMR rifle with a scope?  If not use a  12 gauge shotgun. Best to use bigger than # 4 shot now...But if you do use turkey loads...Using a bulb squeaker they will come right to you... I do best later on in the eve then right when it gets dark...Everything eats field mice.. You actually can kill coyotes with a bulb squeaker...In a pinch use a dog or a cat toy the squeaks.. Squeak constant for abut  5 min straight..If nothing shows then use your electronics... Baby Cottontails always work great.. they are mating now so throw in some of your red fox sounds on your electronics too. Be prepared for two fox to show up now too... They have paired up.. so if you shoot one just keep calling....If your electronics have a Gray Fox Sound on it... use it toward the end of your calling sequence.. See gray are mortal enemies of red fox and reds won't come in if you start off right with the Gray Fox Pup sounds...  after snow storms the first night or so you won't need a light.. However wear some kind of white camo..Remember the red light is your shield.. stay behind it with the wind in your face and they won't even know your there...Go to www.huntsmart.com and purchase the book by Dennis Kirk "All you wanted to know about calling red  fox.  You can read it in one night...Good luck... Season near over in a month but I figure if you do this your going to at least call fox.. it's up to you to anchor them then..

[uncle buck]

http://www.huntsmart.com/Dennis-Kirk-Book--How-to-Call-Fox

[Misterjake23]

I can't top that advice !  I agree with Uncle Buck.  He's dead on.