Need help with fox invasion

[ZVP]

Let's not start the Forum off with bad advice OK?
First of all a Fox is a pretty resilliant critter and can pack lead like a much larger animal so an airgun like a Benjie or even some of the Magnum Sporters may not be enough gun for the chore. Better advice is to use a PCP of around 30 caliber or larger and use firly high power levels, The only problem with a PCP is the noise, they are all pretty loud and unless suppressed, will make more noise than a .22 LR! Sure the power levels can exceed that of a standard .22 LR but if the neighbors are goosey to the report of a gun, you'll definatelly run into trouble with the law!
Most townships have ordinances against discharging a firearm within City limits and this usually includes airguns. Check into that first.
I love my airguns but in this case I'd stick with a good .22 filled with Stingers for Foxes, they deserve a humane death and most Springers , Pump Pneumatics or CO2's don't offer that kind of power that's needed here. Why make the animal suffer or crawl off to a lingering death?
The suggestion about checking with Animal Control for a trap is a good one (legal too).
Above all use enough gun and an airgun might bot be enough.
HTH,
BPDave

 

[rodinal220]

Again,no offense to anybody,but much ignorance about air powered weapons and their capabilities. I fail to see how a Fox is now built like a Cape Buffalo and can soak up lead like Superman.

Yes,use the wrong air rifle,wrong pellet,poor shot placement and take shots too long for your ballistic envelope,you do not get a humane kill.People do this with firearms too.

A good Springer,with a good pellet,shot placement!! and keep ranges realistic for your ballistic envelope,you have a dead critter. PCPs offer a lot more power,yes. Yes they are louder,especially since they can push pellets fast enough break the sound barrier. Some springers can do this in .177,but many feel this is too fast for most .177 pellets.

They can be suppressed,and some models have permanent suppressors that are not subject to the NFA(check State/local).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNE3AkaOKgU

 

[788Ham]

RyanM,

My 83 year old Mother isn't going to invest in a paint ball gun, just to chase off a fox, the Lysol worked just as effectively!

 

[hboy35]

why

back to the origin of this thread, I am interested in what it means that you are overrun with foxes. Wild animals will only come into areas where there is food, water, or habitat. Look at your yard and see what is drawing the wild animal and remove the attraction. Some people leave cat or dog food in a dish out back all the time. Guess what, you are attracting wildlife. Wood piles that mice and rats will make a home in will often times attract snakes and other critters who like to eat mice.

Sometimes our quest to remove the critter is a whole lot easier than we think if we take a step back and look at the greater picture. If you have lots of foxes, what is drawing them in. To be honest, we have a two foxes that frequent our back yard (we are out in the sticks) and they eat the occassional cottontail or food scraps thrown out, but they cause NO damage. A fox will not normally attack a person, so I question the validity of removing them.

Just my $0.02.

 

[skippy1729]

I want to thank everyone for all the helpful posts. Did some more checking and found out:

1. Air rifle ok within city limits unless used in an obviously reckless and dangerous manner. Although in the city limits I am not really "in the city".

2. The critters are protected in New Mexico.

The state Fish & Game sets two live traps a day and is removing them for a nice vacation in the Gila.

PS I have no attractions for foxes. No rodents, garbage, fruit trees, vegetable garden, fruit bearing cactus etc. The Fish & Game officer had no explanation. There were 2 or 3 domestic cats roaming the area and they have all disappeared.

 

[OH_Spartan]

Before the thread gets closed......someone mentioned ipecac chicken bait. Can you provide a source on that? Is it legal? How much do you use without overdosing them? I don't like the thought of poisoning animals but don't mind making them temporarily uncomfortable. I'm at my wits ends trying to keep mrs fox from my chickens.

 

[TimboKhan]

Threads not going to get closed, though I would point out that the op has posted his solution and I can't see where further discussion on this thread is necessary.

I can see where it would be good for someone to start a more general thread about airgun hunting. I won't since I have no experience in that, but it seems like a good thread idea.


sent from my Galaxy Note II.

 

[lykoris]

I have quite a few high end air rifles and even my most powerful, a .25 daystate air ranger that pushes 80fpe I would deem inappropriate for taking a fox. This rifle buffs the wind well and I would never even consider a .22, neither a 34fpe airwolf nor 36fpe rapid s.

Air rifles have their place but there are limits unless you enjoy chasing down wounded prey. I think it is possible to get a clean kill but odds of doing it consistently are against it. Range (and wind) coupled with shot placement are everything when it comes to air rifle hunting.

at the end of the day though to each his own.

 

[AABEN]

Never owned an air rifle. I am being invaded by foxes. Trapped a few but they are getting smart. Can't legally use a 22 where I live inside city limits. Looking for recommendations on caliber and velocity for humane kills. Recommendations of specific models welcome. Prefer to have iron sights. Willing to spend up to $500.

Why do you want to kill them? The fox is getting moved to the city by the Coyotes here in IN.

 

[skippy1729]

I don't want to kill them, just don't want them around. Tired of picking up a dozen piles of droppings every morning. I don't want to become a supermarket for coyotes which are in the area. My yard is enclosed by walls, fences and cliffs. They come at night and increasingly in broad daylight. Presently I have one small dog and can't let him out alone. Planning on adding a large dog to the family soon.

 

[skippy1729]

One other related question. Friendly neighbor #1 suggested that strategically placed drops of coyote urine will keep foxes away. Friendly neighbor #2 warned that this may actually attract coyotes.

Any comments?

 

[ChaoSS]

If you just want to run them off a slingshot and some paintballs can do the trick.

That's what I tend to use for stray dogs that like to come into my yard and harass my dogs.

 

[RyanM]

Before the thread gets closed......someone mentioned ipecac chicken bait. Can you provide a source on that? Is it legal? How much do you use without overdosing them? I don't like the thought of poisoning animals but don't mind making them temporarily uncomfortable. I'm at my wits ends trying to keep mrs fox from my chickens.

This is the first website I found. http://www.conditionedtasteaversion.net/
And for basic info there's always wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taste_aversion

Taste aversion is definitely real, and is gaining acceptance with ranchers for keeping predators away. It does seem like the ideal solution, since the animals will continue to hunt their natural prey and benefit the local ecosystem.

And like I said, I can personally vouch that taste aversions definitely happen in humans, too. Accidentally eating anything with mayo on it used to basically make me instantly throw up. It took 10 years before I could eat mayo again.

I would say about 1-2 teaspoons per bait, since that's the dosage for a 6 month old baby, which is about the same size as a fox. Actually, I'm not sure how well ipecac would work though, since taste aversion doesn't work if the animal can smell or taste a significant difference between the bait and the animal (i.e., a storebought chicken breast that's soaked in brine would taste much too different to use as a bait).

No idea on the legality, though. You should probably contact your local Fish and Game office. Hopefully it's legal. Maybe they could even suggest an odorless, tasteless emetic agent to use, if it's legal.

 

[lykoris]

A family relative was constantly having his chickens raided by foxes feeding cubs and he tried trapping, poisoning and building a chicken gitmo pen....he still had losses as they always found a way to get through.

Then he got a german shepherd and put the dog house right beside the chickens - problem solved

 

[Zeeemu]

Have you considered an electrified fence?

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/search/electric-fence-controllers

 

[craftsman]

I would opt for the Benjamin Marauder .25 cal. PCP 900 fps $480 + S&H

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Benjamin_Marauder_Air_Rifle/1774?ab=1

Sadly, it will need minimum, the $180 pump to fill it unless you go CO2 and spend money for the refills, or are a scuba diver and have a tank. You'll still need the foster quick adaper to fill. Be prepared (as mentioned above) to get fully outfitted (case, pellets, cleaning supplies, trigger lock) to drop close to $850.

 

[Hawk 3/21]

I had to stop reading, so forgive me if this is a repeat. A little old but I hope you still get alerts.

You could "easily" accomplish this with a .22, stick, car etc....

Let me prepose a mult pump bb/pellet gun and lots of harassment. The bb's with 1-2 pumps won't penetrate, it make a lot of noise and scare the snot out of animals that think they're alone. An old one can be found used very cheap or at walmart for under 40. No rifling so 30 feet or so is probably max & aim for the butt. Accurate enough at that range you don't have to worry about missing & putting his eye out.
Dedicated harrassment for a week or so should convince him to pick a easier target. Motion sensor hooked up to a light inside will save you hours of waiting.....but that process has it's own rewards. Quieting yourself for hours at a time, honing your alertness and determination, etc.
My woman loves her squirrels, but a few kept making holes in the screen and making themselves at home on the patio. Digging in pots, pooping everywhere. .....every generation the cycle continues, but a rew taps on the ass & they generally don't come back.

Try it, if it doesn't work the animal is probably sick anyway

 

[readyeddy]

If the OP is willing to spend a bit more, he can get a Sam Yang, .45 caliber air rifle that can deliver 230 ft/lbs at the muzzle. Probably over kill, but if you want power, then power is available.

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Sam_Yang_Big_Bore_909S/516

 

[W.E.G.]

Chain-link fence around property.

Pit-bull inside chain-link fence.

You will have ZERO foxes (or other trespassers) on your property.

 

[TeaCoffee.Guy]

Hi! Happy New Year! Yes I would be reluctant to shoot in town, or any where else that it is illegal. I used to shoot C.C.I. CB .22 shorts in my single shot .22 right in town to kill crows and feral cats. I killed (over a few years) over a hundred crows and several cats. Then one day I got caught and the police seized my .22 and when I got it back it had a broken bolt and couldn't be fired. I have laerned my lesson. If you want my advice use snares and/ or a 180 conabear trap. Hope this helps.