Fox hunting help

[Kyle5865]

I need some help or some advice I guess I could say on doc hunting. I would like to see if something I am doing is wrong or maybe some different things I need to try. First off, I know the places I'm hunting have fox as I have seen them in the past/ called them in. So I know they are there. Next thing is I do play the wind almost every time I go, and I predict where they are going to come from from past times. I use calls that I used before to call in the fox and I use calls of distress for what's in that area. I usually setup in the middle of fields wide open. Which maybe this is my problem, but I want to see how others setup and what advice they can give me. I have killed a coyote and try to use that same hunting style but I just can't seem to get my first fox to catch on to how it is. I've called them in just haven't capitalized yet.

[HDRoadking3058]

Kyle, I'm no expert. Play the wind every time! In you face or crosswind. Most guys stand or sit right out in the open and hide behind their red light. Just make sure not to skyline yourself.  I don't see anything wrong in what your doing. How's the volume on your caller, too loud is not good? And maybe try different time frames of hunting different spots. They might not be there when you are.

[Dale]

you say your hunting the same spots with the same calls you used before... wrong... I try to hunt a spot no more then once a month, if that often...I try to call from different areas/spots, and most definitely change up your calls/calling sequence... scan constantly from before you start calling till you are ready to get into the truck...

[Misterjake23]

     I've said it before and truly believe that an animal can be called based upon one of two things......  Hunger and curiosity.  Just because a sound isn't native to your location, doesn't mean it won't cause an animal to respond.  Be creative in your calling. 

     The number one rule:   They have to be there  Just because they were there in the past, doesn't mean they are currently there.  Has someone "invaded" your area that you may not have known about and educated or even worse, killed or trapped the fox you were seeing?

     There are lots of variables.  My advice is to keep doing what you are doing BUT stagger your calling times and sounds...... There ain't nothing better than a bulb squeeker !

[coyotejohn]

     I've said it before and truly believe that an animal can be called based upon one of two things......  Hunger and curiosity.  Just because a sound isn't native to your location, doesn't mean it won't cause an animal to respond.  Be creative in your calling. 
 There ain't nothing better than a bulb squeaker !

I would also add....sex.  I also agree on using sounds that are not native to your area.  I have called coyote and fox using a elk bugle, no elk in our desert. They come in because they are curious.  Plus unless your hunting private property you have no idea how many people have been there and when.  If your hunting at night try calling in the day time, or vice versa.  Start with the bulb squeaker first then switch to your other calls, also end your session with the squeaker.  Hope this helps and keep at it.

[Bigcat]

Switch your sounds up.  If your calling greys I don't think volume would be a issue. I've called in 3 this year with the shockwave between 35-40. If you can get in cover I would but also have had my truck in view 10 yards away and killed fox. I think it's a matter of the same old song and they don't want to hear it anymore.

[foxtrot]

When you say you called them in but didn't finish what does that mean?Are they not close enough,or not stopping for a shot?explain.Don't call an area over and over again with the same sounds.At least a 2 week separation between attempts.Be creative with your calls and try a variety of sounds especially if you have one hung up that's a perfect time to try some different calls and see how they respond.If they go the other way you know not to use that again.We really do learn from our mistakes.Some guys like to start out low key with a squeaker and it does work well but some times starting out loud seems to shock them into action much like getting a turkey to gobble.Don't be afraid to knock on some doors and get some fresh territory.Stick with it and don't get frustrated.

[Kyle5865]

I guess my main problem is I am hunting mostly private ground, problem is the farmers I hunt for let a lot of other people hunt for predators and you have people that don't ask and just show up. I was hunting last night and had someone drive 10yds away while I was 8 minutes into calling. The places are pressured and are called very often. I need to figure out how to be able to hunt the areas and still have success. I have other areas I hunt and I know there are coyotes and fox there. Just can't seem to get them to come in.

[Misterjake23]

It sounds like you figured out the problem.  With that much hunting pressure it doesn't take long for them to figure things out.   Unfortunately,  there are some things you just can't fix.  Try calling an hour or so before dark and at first day break.  Daylight calling might just throw them off enough to give you some success.  Like Coyote John said,  don't be afraid to try sounds that aren't "normal ".  Play on their curiosity and not so much their hunger.   

     Try blowing a call when your dog is out of sight.  See how fast he comes running!  He's not hungry, but the sound made him curious enough to come running and check out the unusual sound. Fox will do the same thing.

[uncle buck]

IMO the full moon is the hardest time to call them in.. If you have been hunting during the full moon that can be somewhat of your problem... Do what Coyotejohn said about beginning and ending with the bulb squeaker.. if they are there the bulb squeaker will bring them in... I will sometimes do about  5 min of bulb squeaking at the beginning and then at the end.. Many times with all that music in between the fox will come running right at you on your last  5 min of bulb squeaking.. That's when your going to wish you had the shotgun not the rifle..   You might want the other hunters to burn themselves out calling (Heavy hunting pressure)  and go back in Jan/Feb and get the fox that are mating.. If if qtys of reds are harvested more move in.. Stay away from electronics on heavy hunted property.. Go to the squeaker and the mouth calls..Keep the wind in  your face and just get legal. Don't walk in deep.. By the way if you have been going into the middle of the field this week that what busted you.. the full moon... You got to just get legal, hunt in the shadows or up against something and wear gray.....not any other color camo...

[ysp1503]

I have always done better on reds with mouth calls and use the squeeker, you'll get the greys in to with mouth calls but for them nothing better than grey fox pup or other grey fox sounds, also when hunting greys I like to stay within shotgun range of the cover. thats just what has worked for me over the years.

[Hern]

Red or Grey Fox? you haven't said which species

K5865 says- The places are pressured and are called very often. I need to figure out how to be able to hunt the areas and still have success...

That will be tough if you have limited hunting territory. And that's the toughest type of calling. I suggest you move to fresh territory and get into other family groups that aren't pressured. Studies have shown that half the Canine harvest is taken in the first three weeks of the season. So you are dealing with less Canines, pressure from other callers and educated Canines at your spots...time to move and find some young and dumb ones. A large territory is needed to maintain a constant success rate during the season. By that, a spot goes dead (in your case, over hunted) you will still have more territory to work. Don't waste time trying to 'be the man' to poke a smart one, go kill a dozen young ones. Possibly coming back later in the season to 'play' with these fussy Canines, when you have time.
If you only have a small territory, limited yourself and this is happening on all locations, re-read the replies from others and try their advice.

K5865 says- I have other areas I hunt and I know there are coyotes and fox there. Just can't seem to get them to come in.

Reds or Greys?
Tell us more, your other areas...are they pressured? What problems are you having at 'other areas'?
Maybe we can help...