The fox is one of the most common predators in our country. This fur-bearing animal is in demand among hunters because of its beautiful and thick fur, but in some regions fox populations are so large that they negatively affect the population of peaceful game. In such areas, it is customary to hunt foxes not only for pleasure, but also out of necessity.
It is interesting that it is customary to obtain such a trophy in winter, although the hunting season opens in September and lasts until March. Considering the seasonality of the fishery, you need to prepare for it in advance. In this article we will consider not only theoretical information about the habits of the red predator, but also practical advice regarding various methods of hunting.
Fox hunting in winter
The fox is considered the most common predator in our country, because the cunning of this animal allows it to obtain food not only in wild places, but also to get into chicken coops and barns of villagers. In addition to the obvious benefits for the household, fox hunting in winter can be considered excellent entertainment, and the reward for your efforts will be beautiful red fur.
Despite the fact that the hunt for the skin of this predator is considered one of the simplest, this does not at all guarantee that you will immediately receive the desired trophy. Fox hunting, like any other trade, requires perseverance, patience and attentiveness from a person. First of all, you need to study the habits of foxes, the peculiarities of their behavior in winter and the places where this predator most often lives. Armed with the appropriate knowledge, you can begin preparing equipment and the actual hunt.
Briefly about the fox
At all times, the fox has attracted attention thanks to its luxurious fur. Shooting of the red-haired beauty begins at the end of September and ends in the last ten days of February. The most desirable trophy is best obtained in winter. At this time, the prankster appears on her graceful, elongated body with thick, long hair. Not to mention the luxurious tail. The size of this animal depends on the species and ranges from 200-900 mm. Weight reaches 10 kg.
In summer, the fox's diet is varied:
In winter, like other inhabitants of forests and fields, the fox has to feed on voles, digging through the snow or diving into it. Hunger often forces the predator to take risks and look for food near human habitation.
Fox habits and habitat
Foxes belong to the canine family of predators, and they are common not only in European forests, Siberia and the Far East, but throughout the world. In Russia, this predator is found mainly in forest-steppe areas, since by its nature it prefers to settle in open areas with small groves, hills and ravines (Figure 1).
Note: It is interesting that the fox lives further north, the thicker and more beautiful its fur is. For example, in central Russia you can find mostly small animals, and in the forests of Siberia you can even shoot an animal with a rare black fur color.
In the summer, foxes feed not only on small animals and insects, but also enjoy eating fruits and berries. But in winter, their diet becomes more monotonous, since at this time the predator can feast mainly on rodents. In hungry years, foxes can get very close to human habitation and eat chickens and other poultry.
The peculiarity of foxes is that they live in burrows. And although they may well dig it out on their own, often this cunning predator takes up residence in the empty homes of other animals. At the same time, foxes necessarily improve the burrow to suit their needs: they expand and lengthen the passages (in some cases they can reach a depth of several meters), and also arrange several emergency exits from the burrow. In some cases, animals may live in small caves and rock crevices, or under the roots of large trees.
Loops
Do you know how to catch a fox with a noose? This method of fishing is not very popular among modern hunters, who resort to more advanced methods. Still, it deserves attention. Make loops yourself from wire or fishing line (the material must be strong enough). A special point here is the correct placement of the trap, because the animal must be grabbed by the paw. The simplest types of loops are fixed while the animal is trying to free itself. More complex loops lift the fox upward.
Source
Required equipment
It is impossible to imagine winter hunting without special ammunition and weapons, because the success of the entire enterprise will depend on the correct equipment. But, despite the need for careful preparation, many hunters consider winter fox hunting one of the best active entertainments.
First of all, you need to prepare clothes that will not restrict movement and will not make noise that the fox can hear. In addition, it is advisable to have a set of spare clothes with you.
If you have never planned to go winter hunting before, the following tips will be useful to you:
- It is better to use a regular padded jacket as outerwear. Moreover, it is advisable to give preference to elongated models. If you need to sit in ambush, you will sit not on cold snow, but on warm fabric.
- It is also advisable to wear a warm shirt with chest pockets in which you can put the little things the hunter needs.
- It is better to choose insulated pants, for example, cotton ones, but membrane models in combination with thermal underwear are also suitable.
Figure 2. Necessary equipment
You also need to take mittens with you and put on warm shoes, for example, high boots, felt boots or modern boots with a membrane. If the weather is snowy, be sure to wear a white camouflage robe over your padded jacket and pants, which will help you remain invisible on the ground (Figure 2).
Any equipment that you take with you should not restrict movement or make unnecessary noise, because the slightest extraneous rustle can scare off the prey.
Traps
A fox trap is placed only after careful preparation. You need to start by laying out various goodies for the animal where it most often happens. It is best to use fresh blood, meat from small animals, small pieces of a recently killed animal, its fur, and entrails or rotten eggs. All these smells are very attractive to the fox, so she won’t be able to pass by. Another interesting bait method is to spray trees, bushes and other plants with fox urine.
After this, it’s worth moving on to preparing the traps themselves. If they are not new, then they should definitely be thoroughly cleaned. You can remove rust using sand or large sheets of paper. Even if the traps are new, you should not use them right away. First you need to remove excess oil and check the operation of all components of the trap. Only after you make sure that it works accurately and smoothly can you talk about a successful hunt.
General rules and hunting tactics
Many hunters prefer to hunt foxes in winter, because at this time of year the predator’s fur is of the highest quality due to its thickness and length. That is why such production is considered especially valuable.
At the same time, it is important to study the habits and habits of the animal in advance, because they will have to be taken into account when searching for the predator’s habitat on a snowmobile, and when organizing an ambush or chase with dogs, and when shooting. The easiest way to get a trophy is in a meadow or field where foxes have settled. Of course, in open space it will be more difficult to get close to the animal unnoticed, but you will be able to make a more accurate shot from a long distance.
Salary with flags
When catching foxes with a salary, 2-3 hunters should participate in the process. First of all, you need to prepare hunting equipment:
- A cord made of durable material is better than nylon. The length of each should be at least 100 m, and the total length should be about 2 km.
- Red flags. Their size is approximately 10 x 30 cm, and the number should be such that it is enough for the entire length of the cords with a placement interval of 0.8–1 meter.
- A reel for winding cords with flags attached to them.
After detecting traces of a fox, its location is calculated and surrounded on all sides with flags. The cords need to be pulled at a level of 10 cm above the snow. The shooters need to position themselves against the wind, since it is in this direction that the animal escapes pursuit. From the opposite end, the beater begins to walk in the direction of the shooters, making noise. The fox, raised from its rest, rushes along the flags to the ambush site and eventually comes under fire from the hunters waiting for it.
When the hunt begins
Many novice hunters are interested in when is the best time to start fox fishing. As a rule, hunting for this fur-bearing animal begins in early autumn and continues until March. But, as we said above, most experienced hunters prefer to go after prey in winter, since at this time the animal’s fur is the most beautiful and valuable (Figure 3).
Rsiunok 3. Winter is the best time to hunt fur-bearing animals
Regardless of the season, you should choose the right time for a foray into the forest. It is better to leave or leave the house at night in order to reach the predator’s habitat by dawn. To make things easier for yourself, you can conduct a reconnaissance of the area in advance and determine the location of fox holes. This will give you the opportunity to shoot the animal much faster and with minimal physical effort.
With the arrival of cold weather, foxes gradually leave the open space and hide in the depths of the forest, settling in holes under bushes, trees or in ravines. However, in especially harsh and hungry winter times, predators still get closer to the fields, where it is easier to find food.
Traps
How to catch a fox with a cunning trap? Hunters often use holes. Some believe that this is one of the simplest and most legal ways to catch a golden beast. In order to catch an animal in this way, you should dig a hole of medium depth near a tree or stump. On one side of the tree you need to place a bait (preferably very strong to tempt the animal), and on the other side make a steep slope. When reaching the bait, the fox will fall into the hole. To prevent the fox from noticing the trick, the hole is slightly covered with leaves and plants. It is important to make this cover loose so that the fox can easily fall into it. You should also pay attention to the steepness of the slope; it should be sufficient to prevent the animal from holding on. A fox trap must be very well planned so as not to scare it away. To do this, you will have to delve into the habits and habits of these animals in more detail.
How to catch a fox in winter? You can use traps, but they are greatly damaged by snow. A hole is not the best option, as it can become a shelter for some animal or the branches will simply freeze too much to it. In this case, it is best to use a small box with a hatch. You need to place bait in the hatch. When the fox smells the scent and comes looking for food, he will accidentally step on the pedal hidden behind the branches and slam the hatch.
Types of hunting
There are many ways to hunt foxes in winter. Each of them has its own characteristics and requires certain skills and training, but at the same time has quite high effectiveness.
To make it easier for you to decide on the optimal method for harvesting fur-bearing animals, we will look at each method in more detail.
From ambush on the bait
The main feature of ambush hunting is that it is carried out at night. Therefore, in order to ensure the best shooting opportunities, it is better to go fishing after the snow has fallen (Figure 4).
Note: At first glance, it seems that shooting a fox from cover is very simple, but in fact this method has many subtleties that can affect the success of the entire enterprise.
As the name suggests, this method involves the use of bait:
- It can be used in existing places, for example, landfills or waste disposal sites from meat processing plants. But many experienced fishermen still prefer to place the bait in the place they need.
- It is necessary to select and prepare a place to place the bait. It is better not to place them near populated areas, as packs of stray dogs can eat your bait before the fox. For the hunt to be successful, the bait is placed in remote areas.
- Usually, the carcass of any large animal, for example, a cow or horse, is used as bait, but in a pinch, ordinary offal will do.
- To properly place the bait, you need to dig a deep hole, place the carcass in it and cover it halfway with soil to protect the bait from birds and other animals.
- It is advisable to place the carcass with its head or tail towards the hunter’s ambush site so that the fox cannot hide from a shot behind the carcass.
- To increase the likelihood of catching a predator, pieces of bread are scattered around the bait and sprinkled with soil. Such bait will attract field mice, and they, in turn, will attract foxes.
Figure 4. Arrangement of bait and hiding place
The next stage will be arrangement of the hunter’s hiding place. To do this, you can either dig a dugout or set up an ambush in a tree or on a tower. It is better not to make a shelter at ground level, since the fox will most likely smell the human scent.
Note: If you prefer to shoot from a dugout, you will need to dig it in advance before the soil freezes. The fact is that the depth of the shelter must correspond to the height of the person, and for targeted shooting, a small window is made in its above-ground part. The floor inside is covered with hay or sawdust and a seating area is provided.
If you have enough time to prepare, it is better to set up an ambush in a tree. To do this, you need to attach crossbars and a platform to the trunk on which the hunter will be. This kind of ambush is more preferable, since the fox almost never notices a person sitting in a tree. Regardless of the type of shelter chosen, it must be carefully camouflaged with branches.
Further actions are extremely simple. On the eve of a bright, cloudless night, you need to approach the ambush site and take a position. At the same time, it is important not to get close to the carcass so that the fox does not smell the hunter’s scent. As a rule, the first foxes appear near the bait already after dark, and you will be able to open targeted fire, especially since the predator is clearly visible in the snow. But, if you doubt your accuracy, it is better to purchase a night sight in advance.
With decoys
Many hunters like to hunt a fox with a decoy from the approach, because it is an extremely exciting activity. But at the same time, in order to shoot an animal, special conditions are required - a cloudless moonlit night and the absence of strong wind, which can hide the sound of the decoy (Figure 5).
Special attention should be paid to the choice of the decoy itself:
- The best results are achieved when using decoys that imitate the squeak of a mouse, the sounds of a wounded hare or bird.
- Each type of semolina has its own method of use. For example, when imitating a mouse, you first need to make two short squeaks, and after a while another, but longer one.
- When you notice a fox, it is better to squeak only when it moves, and when the predator stops, it is better to remain silent.
- The cries of a wounded hare or bird are made alternately short and long for several seconds and at intervals of 2-3 minutes.
However, even in this case, a surprise may await you. For example, if a fox was too close and you made a loud cry from a wounded hare, this could scare the animal away. If you use a decoy that imitates the cry of a wounded bird, wild boars may approach you instead of a fox.
Figure 5. Types of decoys for fox hunting
You should also choose the right time for fishing. It is better to hunt with a decoy immediately after sunset or before dawn, when foxes go out in search of food. In this case, you can either ambush the animal in a certain place and wait for the prey to appear, or move through the forest, looking out for the future trophy. The main thing is to carefully select clothes so that they are not only warm, but also do not rustle. The gun and other equipment must also be camouflaged.
With dogs
Fox hunting with dogs is considered traditional in our country. For this purpose, a pair of specially trained animals is usually used (Figure 6).
Note: When going on such a fishery, you need to know the area well. The fox is a cunning animal and can escape from the hunter through one of the backup passages, so the animal’s hole must be studied in advance.
Figure 6. Fox hunting with dogs is one of the most ancient.
The most convenient terrain is considered to be space with light copses or near forest belts. First you need to let the dogs down, and then you can slowly approach the place where the predator is supposed to live. It is important to take into account that it is the hound, and not the hunter, who should scare off the animal. The fox will try to confuse the dogs, and most likely will come straight to the hunter, who will be able to shoot it. However, this does not mean that the fisherman can simply stand still. After the fox has left the hole, you need to listen to the dogs barking and move to the place where prey is expected to appear.
With traps
Catching a fox using a hunting trap is considered preferable for those who want to get a high-quality pelt. The fact is that when using this method, the fur is practically not damaged. As a rule, small trace traps No. 2, 3 or 5 are used for this purpose (Figure 7).
When installing, the structure must be properly prepared:
- It is necessary to wash off the remaining oil from new traps and then boil them in water with pine needles or hay to remove the characteristic metallic smell.
- Old traps that have already been used must be cleaned of rust and boiled in the same way.
- It is advisable to check the design in advance and, if necessary, remove those parts that interfere with free closure.
- Since the metal structure is clearly visible in the snow, it will either have to be specially masked or painted white with special paints without a strong odor.
Figure 7. Installing a trap to catch an animal Fox
traps can be placed permanently, but it is better to fix them on an anchor (a thick stick, a piece of wood or a weight). In this case, the caught animal will not be able to escape from the trap.
Note: To attract a fox, you need to put bait in the trap - offal, a dead bird or a mouse. You need to build a shelter from coniferous branches or reed stems so that the bait is not covered with snow.
To ensure that prey is caught in a trap, it is better to place it on the so-called fox paths - near transitions near the roots or fallen tree trunks, at turns in the path.
From the approach and stealth
Hunting for a fox from the approach is most often practiced in winter, when snow falls, because not only the tracks of the animal, but also the fox itself will be clearly visible on it. The essence of this method comes down to the fact that the hunter, knowing the terrain and habitats of the prey well, walks around the location, looking for traces of the animal itself (Figure 8).
Figure 8. Stealth hunting involves tracking the animal along its tracks
The basic rule of this type of fishing is to quietly get within shooting distance of the fox. In other words, it is best to go on a stealth hunt in an open area where the forest can be seen while feeding or resting. Naturally, with this method of extraction, both the hunter himself and his weapon must be carefully camouflaged.
From the approach (stealth)
Hunting from the approach is carried out in winter, after a sufficient layer of snow has fallen on the ground. Fox tracks become clearly visible on it, and an experienced hunter, bypassing the most likely habitats of animals, easily detects it. The easiest time to sneak up on foxes is in February, when they, having split into married couples, lose their former vigilance. You can sneak up on a mouse-like predator from the leeward side until you get close to the distance of an aimed shot.
Weapons and ammunition
For approach hunting, you can use both rifled and smooth-bore weapons. When choosing a shotgun, special attention should be paid to the accuracy of the fire and the sufficient power of the ammunition. Since shooting in this situation is carried out at the limit of reach, it is better to use 12-gauge Magnum cartridges and 0000 shot.
Rifled weapons allow you to increase the combat distance, increasing the chances of successfully obtaining a trophy. Carbines and rifles must ensure reliable destruction of an object from a distance of 300 meters. For this, an optical sight and shell cartridges of .222 - 246 caliber are often used. Other mandatory elements of a hunter’s ammunition should be a camouflage robe and binoculars. They will help to detect the object of hunting at a great distance, remaining unnoticed.
Approach tactics
When approaching a fox, you need to follow a number of rules. You need to look for traces of a predator along forest edges, ravines, and in adjacent fields. Next, you need to walk along them, constantly examining the area with binoculars. After detecting the target, carefully approach it from the leeward side. The behavior of a fox can be determined by the position of its ears: if they are alert, then the animal has sensed something suspicious. At this moment, it is better to hide for a while, stopping movement. For greater success in approach hunting, it is recommended to choose windy weather. Gusts of wind muffle the noise and carry the smell of a person to the side.
Secrets of successful hunting
When going to hunt a fox, you should remember that this is a very cunning and cautious animal that can be scared off by a sudden movement or crackling noise. Therefore, you need to move around the area with extreme caution, and your clothes and weapons should be camouflaged. If you have already spotted a fox, you only need to approach it against the wind so that the hunter’s scent does not scare away the prey.
In general, we can say that catching this trophy is a very interesting and exciting activity, and you can learn more secrets of experienced hunters from the video.
Where can you find a red-haired predator?
While driving along the highway, you can see a mouse-like fox in the fields. This mainly happens early in the morning, after which she looks for shelter. It depends on how far it is from a populated area, what age it is and how careful the animal is. If there was bad weather all night, then the fox will then walk all day, catching up.
The fox's favorite feeding place is meadows and fields. There are a lot of mice here, and hunting a fox will be very easy. In these places you can find mainly old or strong foxes. Young foxes go there to mouse when the owner is absent, fearing punishment. It is in such places that hunting often takes place. Land with small depressions and mounds is perfect for this activity.
