Post by Norman WellsI don't think it as actually. It's more about getting out in the fresh
air, the social occasion, the thrill of the chase and the general
unpredictability of it all. Not many are present usually to see any
kill, simply because they're not in the right place at the right time,
so I think it's a bit misjudged to say it's all about blood lust.
That should have been true however after the ban on fox hunting some
hunts carried on scent drag hunting or even human hunting (without the
ripping to bits bit) and quite a few closed down claiming that scent
hunting was not the same.
Post by Norman WellsPost by Brian ReayIf there is a problem with foxes, shoot or poison them.
It is illegal to poison foxes since other species can take the bait
however some landowners will poison if there are no other species in the
area (usually badgers, boars, stoats, polecats etc)
You can gas them legally but there are no gasses that are approved for
foxes so it is de facto illegal. You can snare a fox in a non-locking
snare but the risks of catching a dog are high so this is very rare
unless your land is remote.
The commonest methods are shooting and live trapping (often followed by
a shot to the head in the trap).
Post by Norman WellsI shouldn't think a slow death though poisoning is any fun, nor dying of
wounds from a slightly misplaced shot either. But perhaps you know better.
For poisoning see above.
I cannot speak for all but when I fox shoot it is for a specific fox in
a specific area as they are territorial and I prep the area by baiting a
known spot for a week. When it comes to the shooting time (usually a
full moon) the foxes are static and in the open. It is a fixed range
with a zeroed sight so missing is rare.
The thing to note about killing foxes is that it controls the fox that
is killed (obviously) but does not control the territory as there are
are always roaming foxes looking for unoccupied territory. Clearing a
territory often results in a new family in the territory after a month
or so when the urine scent markers fade. Often the best way of dealing
with foxes is to kill one specific troublesome fox, foxes are clever and
wary so deterrence is usually a better way.
Andy