Where would you set up?

[Whitefeather]

I located two den sights in the exact location I mentioned in the other post with pictures of tracks.

There is a creek that runs N to S.  Two den holes are roughly 30' apart N to S on east side of creek.  Sights are approx 12' above water bed.  This is a heavy thicket area.  North of the first den sight is a thicket area heavily trampled down by deer and critters.  In an open area is a deer skeleton with fur still on the limbs.  A circular bed of hair about 8' in diameter is still there.  I know local hunters have killed deer here recently.  (I saw one of them three weeks ago get one)

Mind you the wind typically always blows N to S here.  If I set up N of the den I would think if they are coming out of dens in early eve, or are S of dens, they will wind me right away.  I was thinking of setting up right next to the 1st N den hole and facing N into the wind to try and catch them coming towards den.  The area I would be facing in on the edge of one of the fields I have seen them mousing in.

What do you think?

[uncle buck]

Don't even worry about the dens... Your call is a tool they will come to you...Just set up in the right spot...Don't even walk in close to the den's.  I'm not even sure the coyotes would be in the den yet??Maybe a gray fox but not a coyote or a red...Did you see the coyote tracks going into the den???  When I hunt coyotes they come to me I don't go after them..

[Whitefeather]

UB, I was referring to Red fox dens.  The area is littered with them, I saw four in the last two days all going towards those dens.  I dont think any coyotes are down there.  Never heard em, or seen em in the 8 years I have lived here. 

[swarter2]

Sounds like you need a partner. Hint Hint.

[Whitefeather]

If your available this week let me know.  Thurs is my birthday so that day and night are out.  Sat I'll be having a party so Sat is out and possibly Sunday.  But any other time just call me.  PM me if you want my number.  I am in Marlborough (Green Lane mailing)  10 or 15 minutes from you.
I am definatly intersted in hunting with another predator hunter.  My relatives that hunt really only hunt deer, bear and fowl.  Not to interested in goin out calling for predators.

BTW, I walked outside 15 minutes ago and you could hear a fox barking and making a rackett less than a 1/4 mile away.  I had shined my red light into the woods just prior to the barking, in the opposite direction and caught a set of red eyes that vanished quick.

[uncle buck]

Red fox will not be den-ed up yet... Even in bad weather they will go up on top of a hill put their tail over their nose and sleep...Soon.....Oh in about two weeks...Try red fox distress sounds at night and you will call them in....You just need to get where it's legal and call toward the areas....You call and send Swarter 75 to 100 yards down wind of your position... Wind at your back... He should set up cross wind of your main sound beam..Oh about 30 yards to the side.. He can use a shotgun...This is a night time tactic... However it's important what is down wind in the field too.. If there is a hill in the field the fox is going to come in and stop just on the top of that hill... The shooter standing at the bottom of the hill will pop them one when they come to that high spot...See I would almost have to see the field in at least a picture...
remember with electronics where ever you aim that speaker down wind..That is where they will go to and get in line when they come into the wind.. Aim that speaker down at a corner and have some one standing 30 yards to the side of the corner.. Now don't walk in 999 yards to a corner... Maybe a field that is even 100 yards long with a corner.   Remember......they, most times will come into the wind and they get in direct line with the loudest part of the speaker.. So now you know they are probably going to get in line with the human caller or the speaker somewhere down wind. Post to the side of the main beam with a shotgun but make sure the shooter is 75 to 100 yards down and they intercept the fox..  
If your not hunting with a partner.. hang the call from a bush, aim it down wind and you move down 75 to 100 yards down wind and set up cross wind of the main sound beam.. Make sure you place a bit of reflective tape on the caller in case it malfunctions.  You can find it with your light.. Be careful a electronic caller with reflective tape does look like a predator eyes...Don't shoot your electronics....

[Whitefeather]

Thanks UB I knew you would have some good advice.  Swarter and I may hook up Fri.  My Foxpro Fury should be here today  and at latest tomorrow.  I got a bunch of fox sounds put on it.  We'll see how it goes.

[swarter2]

If you mark the caller with reflective tape.  Make the piece of tape larger then a predators eye.

[Whitefeather]

Well folks, the Fury arrived today and I spent a little time dick-in with it.  Tonight about 7:30 I set it down in my yard about 30 yards from the wood line.  I set up about 55 yards from wood line and 30 yards north of caller.  messed around a little with fox pup distress and baby cottontail on low volume  12-14.  20 minutes in, with the fox pup distress, I turned on the spot and directly in front of me was a red standing still.  He was right at the wood line heading towards the caller.  I put down the red spot and flicked on the gun light and got his shoulder in my crosshairs (22mag borrowed).  Amazingly he stood there while I lined him up.  BLAM...he starts spinning in circles and screaming LOUDLY.  He than stays put for a minute and I find his eyes in the scope, he than moves from direction which he came.  I waited till he turned, but He wasn't in crosshairs so I didn't shoot.  I than discovered that the small plate right behind the bolt handle was recessed in and the bolt would not retract.  Christ...figures.  I drop the rifle pick up the spot and grabbed my 45ACP.  Figured I would finish him off if need be with it, if he was too wild to step on his chest.  Walked towards here I saw him last and nothing.  No blood either.  walked over to where I shot him.  No blood...WTF?  Tracked him into woods and followed trail.  Could hear fox barking down the embankment within 50-60 yards.  30 yards down trail I shined white light down into woods (40'drop into riven and creek bed)  Saw eyes.  Kept looking at m and not moving.  I started down the embankment and ended up falling down to rail trail.  Eyes still there, couldn't believe it.  Walked closer, another embankment even steeper.  This time saw fox move into thicker brush.  Long story short I didn't find him.  After getting back to the house, I heard what sounded like another fox couple hundred yards away barking like crazy.  Guess tomorrow I will see if there is a blood trail.  Not to optimistic.  Hate to think about a wounded animal suffering.  Really SUCKS.

[uncle buck]

If you go back tomarrow you might have got him...Start looking where you last saw his eyes.. The circle and screaming are good indications that you hit him.. You might have a red fox tomarrow when you check that area you last saw the eyes...If not make circles around the spot and look in the heavy cover for a red fox laying.. Briar's and such or under brush... Hope you find him... I am sure you hit him or her just by what you described...Good Luck in your search tomarrow...

PS Take a shotgun with you when you search but  don't use full choke...

[Whitefeather]

Thanks UB.
 I don't own a shotgun, well I do, but its a Mossburg 500, not meant for hunting, that's one reason I always carry 45ACP.  I definitely hit him, I just don't know where.  The way it was screaming; it was in pain, which makes me feel worse.  I many times wont fire for fear of not making a clean kill.  This is why.  Night time shooting is definitely different than day time.

[uncle buck]

Whitefeather I sent you a P. M.

[Whitefeather]

Your not going to beleive this, but I think I shot off the tip of it's tail.  I know, I know, how could I be so far off aim?  Still dont want to beleive that, and most folks probaly wouldnt post it here   But in the yard near where I shot it, I found a 4" piece of a tail (the tip).  That would account for no blood, and the fox spinning in circles screaming it's head off, then taking off into the woods.  Just searched woods where I last saw eyes and no sign.. Even if it is down there, I dont think I would find it.  Million places for it to crawl in and die.

[Whitefeather]

Looks like fox to me

[zekedogg]

WOW that really stinks