Toby Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Haven't had much time to shoot recently as I have been busy working. Last week we had 50cm of snow, so that kept us busy. Finally the weather stabilised so that I can take some time off and get some shooting in. Here are some pics. One of my shooting sheds And the view to the bait site A small vixen shot last week And another from this morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbrian 1 Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Do they come to the bait sight whilst it is still light or do you shoot them at night? If you do shoot them at night do you require the aid of night vision or a lamp or do you rely on the moon and reflection from the snow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby Posted February 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 They generally come whilst it is dark. I have shot 3 so far and they have all been between 00-01. Trailcam pics show that times vary from 17 to 05. Not all that predictable, just a sit and wait job. I only use natural light. Full moon and low cloud cover in combination with the snow, it can almost be like daylight sometims. Any artificial light must be fixed, in other words lamps and torches are not permitted. Tried a few winters with a spotlight but found the foxes very reluctant to enter the beam of light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy_SP Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Well done - it looks as though you have a lovely set-up there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby Posted February 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 This is my woodland baitsite. The bait is at 45m from my shed. It is also about 30m away from the river which is good because the foxes use frozen watercourses as motorways over here. The disadvantage with this site is that you dont really get an advanced warning before the quarry is in range. My other baitsite is also near the same river a few miles downstream. Here the bait is at 70m and I have shooting visibility up to 150 ish. This makes it alot easier to spot the foxes in advance and prepare. I have trailcams at both baits and have captured some nice images amongst others a pine marten at the woodland bait and a mouse on the bait which triggered the PIR at approx 30ft! I dont shoot huge numbers each winter compared to you boys, each fox is hard earned. 2 weeks ago I sat out in apredicted -9c. I started to get a bit chilly after 5 hrs and called it a night. When I got back to the car it was -18c. I am aiming to try and shoot 20 this winter. My previous best has been 14. It will go quiet soon whilst the mating occurs but really pics up towards the end of the season (April 15). Maybe optimistic with work and a family as well but we'll see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy_SP Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Have you thought about putting some extra PIRs out so that you get advance warning of a fox approaching? Rig them up - either wired or wireless, to some red lights in your shed and you'll be able to watch TV while waiting... Anyway - I wish you luck, whatever you do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby Posted February 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Have also tried PIRS. The foxes are very skittish and then there is the problem with them icing over and not detecting anything when you assume that they are working...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunner Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Nice shed , i went out thurs last week inviting a friend to shoot , we didn't see one ! Very strange as theres normally 1 or two skulking around and haven't shoot this farm at nite for some time . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouse Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Great pictures and info. Have been laying out in Jerven bag on foam mat in snow, but it gets very cold! Out of interest what's the low down on your snow shoes - have been looking at investing in some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longbow3 Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 your shooting shed looks like an old-fashioned outside larder? it looks like you got it set at the right temperature Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby Posted February 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 Great pictures and info. Have been laying out in Jerven bag on foam mat in snow, but it gets very cold! Out of interest what's the low down on your snow shoes - have been looking at investing in some. The snowshoes are Tubbs Altitudes 36" model. Had them nearly 10 years, get a fair workout most winters. Use them once the snow gets deeper than 30cm. We are up to about 60cm at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouse Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 Thanks Toby... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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