Hunting the chicken killers.

[MtnCreek]

GJgo, Good job on the trapping! Did you get the third in a foothold or snare?

FWIW, when I kept chickens, I had problems with them getting along with my dogs. Even some of the hens would drop a wing and do that sideways chicken assault on the dogs (wife and kids too). I had one rooster that would go on a full run at a dog if it got within ~40yds. He did that to my daughter one day when she was little. That was the day I found out 3 y/o roosters aren't good eating. They were Road Island Reds. Domineckers seemed to be a little more laid back (as far as chickens go anyway).

 

[GJgo]

Thanks, the third & this morning's #4 (pic) were all in the foothold. Something is knocking my snares down but not getting caught in them.

My rooster did go after my daughter once, but overall I'd say he's a pretty good rooster so we're planning on keeping him around for a while. I imagine one day he'll end up in the crock pot, though..

Now I'm trying to figure out the cleanest way to put down a trapped animal. I've been putting a 22 short in the ear but it's a bit messy. I'd prefer something that didn't exit. Does anyone have suggestions? I have an air rifle but I'd hate for it not to be strong enough to get the job done quickly.

A couple months ago we were woken up at 2 AM to the sound of a fox & a feral cat going at it in our back yard. At first I thought the cat was a gonner, but the next day the cat was still around so it must have taken care of business! Seeing how small these fox really are I can see it.

 

[MtnCreek]

A regular short is still pretty hot. Do you have any cb's? Best I can tell a cb short and long are about the same. They may still exit.

A feral cat is a bad dude!

 

[samort457]

I took a fox with my .22 cal air rifle at about 15 yards. They're plenty powerful. I hated doing it but I've seen some big ones walking across he street in broad daylight when I was out mowing the lawn so I figured they have to sick or something and there are small dogs, like a 5lbs Bichon Frise, living in the area and my neighbor, as well as the little kids down the street, would have fit if they saw dog pieces strewn across the yard.

 

[whughett]

The game camera told me yesterday that there's a 4th fox coming up to the coop now. Wow, there are a lot more in my neighborhood than I thought. I did get a new surprise though, too bad he isn't going after my chickens.

What is the background, orchard, vineyard. looks like that buck was looking for a meal also.

 

[witchhunter]

Is that a mule deer?

 

[jrdolall]

I have barbed wire around my coop to keep the critters out at night. I rarely have issues with predators during the daylight but I have three dogs that roam the property during the day so most animals know to stay out of the area. The Great Dane tends to be pretty aggressive towards any animals that come into his acreage including a bull that recently wandered into the yard. That was funny watching a 150 pound dog face down a 1500 pound bull and win.

 

[GJgo]

Yep it's a mule deer, with a vineyard in the background. My neighbor should get a couple depredation tags!

Last night had a skunk wander in front of the camera. I've been smelling him but this is the first visual. Have to figure out how to dispose of him if I catch it in the live trap. I did look at the CBs I have & you're right, they are cooler than the shorts.

 

[joeschmoe]

Yep it's a mule deer, with a vineyard in the background. My neighbor should get a couple depredation tags!

Last night had a skunk wander in front of the camera. I've been smelling him but this is the first visual. Have to figure out how to dispose of him if I catch it in the live trap. I did look at the CBs I have & you're right, they are cooler than the shorts.

 

[bldsmith]

I've disposed of 2 in a live trap. .22 behind the ear. They sprayed but I had the hose ready and washed down the area. Not too bad, after a couple days anyway. 2 foot deep hole and no additional smell. I just forgo the trap now, Shoot shovel and no worries.

 

[GJgo]

Yeah I think this qualifies as "shoot, shovel & apologize to the wife". The smell of that thing is brutal, even after it's gone. I'm working on skunk #2 tonight, might as well get it over with!

 

[bldsmith]

My wife cheers when I shoot one. Even if it smells a bit. They are not welcome on our property. Along with gophers, moles, yotes and cougars. Will have to think about a fox or bobcat. No chickens but grandkids play outside once their ipod batteries die

 

[crazyjennyblack]

I don't like skunks and coyotes now that I live out in the country. I used a .223 on a skunk in a live trap a while back. Stood 75 yards away and it sprayed a huge cloud like I'd hit an aerosol can. Smelled truly disgusting. Kind of sad to shoot the foxes though. I just kind of have a soft spot for them. Then again, I don't have chickens and I'm feeding foxes in my front yard. I think I'd feel different if they were stealing MY dinner!

If you want to hunt foxes with a dog, you first have to know the size of the foxes. Most are about 15 lbs, but I've seen them about twice that size and able to kill a full grown Jack Russell terrier. Fortunately for you, your foxes seem average, not large.