First Fox In A Trap

[MG5150]

Hi All,

I’m very happy to report that I caught my first fox in a trap over the recent long weekend!

I headed up to our block at Kevington on Friday night, and early Saturday morning I set a few traps, hoping to catch some of the wild dogs that have been hanging around. I put three in the ground at different spots where I’d seen activity on the trail cameras and kept one aside for a particularly bold fox that had been visiting my grandparents’ house in town.

This fox had been getting very cheeky — running through the yard, setting the dogs off, and even coming right up to sniff some fox scalps I had drying on the veranda. He got so bold that he came within about 15 metres of me while I was cutting up a deer, curious to see what was going on. I’d also left a fallow deer button buck head by a fence post to let the flesh rot away naturally, and the little bugger actually pinched it!

I had a camera on the area and he was coming through at least once a day, often two or three times.

I didn’t get the trap set until Sunday. There was a little V-shaped stick formation against a tree where the deer head had been, so I set the trap at the front of the V, laid bits of sausage in front and behind it, and put another piece higher up on the tree as a scent lure. I had the trap in the ground by 5 p.m., then we went out fishing.

Unfortunately, after half an hour in the sun I got heat exhaustion and had to head back to rest. I was lying down trying to cool off when the dogs suddenly went ballistic. My grandfather came running in shouting that we’d got him! That adrenaline rush got me straight out of bed, feeling instantly better, and I went out to dispatch him.

Video link: https://youtu.be/UkrW57m-dsw

(Excuse the butt crack! — I’d just thrown on some clothes and rushed out there!)

I was stoked to have baited the trap at 5 p.m. and had him caught by 7:30 p.m. while the sun was still up. Couldn’t have asked for a better first result!

[Wapiti]

The bumcrack was a worry, yep
But worse, was the ponytail I can't unsee.

[Die Judicii]

The bumcrack was a worry, yep
But worse, was the ponytail I can't unsee.

I'm not even gonna risk a look, cos I hate having nightmares.

MG,,,,,,,, are you sure it wasn't someones "pet" fox ?

[MG5150]

The bumcrack was a worry, yep
But worse, was the ponytail I can't unsee.

I'm not even gonna risk a look, cos I hate having nightmares.

MG,,,,,,,, are you sure it wasn't someones "pet" fox ?

I would assume a pet fox gets the occasional wash...

This was a very stinky bastard. You could smell him before you could see him and 36 hours later after rain you could still smell his scent around the trap. (I reset in the hopes of getting his mate)

[Wapiti]

I truly apologise, a ponytail is longer than a manbun and takes way more patience.
Hey MG, have you been influenced by the "modern" 6.5 disease by any chance?
My wife keeps buying me "warning - sarcasm" t-shirts and I am truly surprised but I assure you I am innocent.

Good on you MG, it takes time and effort to post pics, real activities and even make videos with links on the forum, it is very much appreciated. Anyone can post up a few one liners but some take the extra steps to make a look worthwhile and interesting around here.

[Die Judicii]

Hey there MG,, I know an awful lot of people do so,, but be very wary of picking foxes up by the brush.
Any nasties that are in the gut/intestines is more than likely to be present in the brush fur,
much more so than, say for instance, a front paw.

[MG5150]

Hey MG, have you been influenced by the "modern" 6.5 disease by any chance?

yeah I got bitten by a 6.5 shooter down the range and I'm waiting to see what happens, (I should probably get tested...)

[NTSOG]

DJ wrote: "Any nasties that are in the gut/intestines is more than likely to be present in the brush fur, much more so than, say for instance, a front paw."

That makes good sense. I always wear a disposable glove if I have to pick them up. When I started shooting the blighters all those I shot had mange. Now I rarely see an infected one, but they are scavengers and what they carry in their guts is likely pretty gross.

Jim

[womble]

6.5 shooters have AIDS

[MG5150]

Hey there MG,, I know an awful lot of people do so,, but be very wary of picking foxes up by the brush.
Any nasties that are in the gut/intestines is more than likely to be present in the brush fur,
much more so than, say for instance, a front paw.

Thanks for the heads up! Fortunatly I was only a few minutes away from soap and antibacterial handwash, and wore a glove when scalping him. Will use the front paw in future.

[wrenchman]

I have no problem with the hair hell I don't have any hair on my head to grow .
I have the same 22 by marlin with a plain stock I have had it for 40 years