- Joined
- Feb 6, 2020
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Greetings NES! First Post. Thank you for providing me with endless entertainment, knowledge, and proof that there are other unindoctrinated thinkers even in Massachusetts.
I'm seeking your input on methods of ridding myself and my beloved hens of a nuisance red fox. He/she/ze discovered the free buffet a week or so back and has picked a few hens off, aided in part by a malfunctioning automatic door I've since fixed. I intend to improve the security further, but I don't expect the fox to forget where the fresh meat is.
As my name suggests, my property is in the woods, a legal 500ft distance from other "dwellings" and this also appears to be a Mass. General Law 131, Section 37 scenario which puts firearm options on the table. [In private I have a healthy disrespect for any authority that would regulate how I protect my source of fresh, delicious omelettes. Usually with feta cheese.] I have 22LR, 223, 12 & 20 gauge, and many others in between to work with, but do not have night vision equipment. I'm a pretty fair shot with long guns, but not an experienced hunter.
Questions are:
When (dusk maybe?) and how to lure the fox: electronic decoy?; expired lunch meat? Will the fox balk at entering a lit section of my yard even for a queen cut prime rib? I recognize that these guys are extremely cautious and cunning canids. Also realize I could very well inadvertently attract a big ol' eastern coyote or other predator too. In fact, I almost expect to given what I know is out there in my woods. Am I better off with a Have-a-Heart and a can of catfood? I just don't see a fox falling for it.
Please don't feel obligated to address my specific questions, but if you have any advice, success stories, jokes, then thanks in advance!
I'm seeking your input on methods of ridding myself and my beloved hens of a nuisance red fox. He/she/ze discovered the free buffet a week or so back and has picked a few hens off, aided in part by a malfunctioning automatic door I've since fixed. I intend to improve the security further, but I don't expect the fox to forget where the fresh meat is.
As my name suggests, my property is in the woods, a legal 500ft distance from other "dwellings" and this also appears to be a Mass. General Law 131, Section 37 scenario which puts firearm options on the table. [In private I have a healthy disrespect for any authority that would regulate how I protect my source of fresh, delicious omelettes. Usually with feta cheese.] I have 22LR, 223, 12 & 20 gauge, and many others in between to work with, but do not have night vision equipment. I'm a pretty fair shot with long guns, but not an experienced hunter.
Questions are:
When (dusk maybe?) and how to lure the fox: electronic decoy?; expired lunch meat? Will the fox balk at entering a lit section of my yard even for a queen cut prime rib? I recognize that these guys are extremely cautious and cunning canids. Also realize I could very well inadvertently attract a big ol' eastern coyote or other predator too. In fact, I almost expect to given what I know is out there in my woods. Am I better off with a Have-a-Heart and a can of catfood? I just don't see a fox falling for it.
Please don't feel obligated to address my specific questions, but if you have any advice, success stories, jokes, then thanks in advance!