I have lately decided to get serious about hunting foxes. In the past I would do it very casually and, while I had meager results, they were nothing at all like the rush i got tonight. I have mouth calls and have used them a fair bit, but, with less than meager results. Part of my getting serious was to get some books about calling foxes and to get a Foxpro Spitfire. This book, at $5.95, is awesome. No nonsense info and some good strategy info. Recommended. This book, while being a bit of an infomercial, is still very worth the $8.95 it costs as it has some good info and good strategy. Anyway, third setup of the night, I am across the dirt road from a pond. To the right of me it the road opens up to a big field with sparse trees until, about 250 yards away more woods and the road splits. To the left is more woods and I also have seen fox tracks down that way. The road also has extra roads the shoot off of it. This is all very old aggregate mining land about a half mile behind my house. That is why there is dirt roads and ponds of various sizes. I placed the caller about 30 yards up the road on the pond side to my right. I was expecting the fox from my left. Ran the caller for about 3-4 minutes, stopped for a bit minutes then ran it again a bit louder but for less time. I see this hawk (I am assuming red tail, we have a lot and it was big) silhouetted as it lands on a treetop branch about 50 yards to my left front. It was dark but we have a half moon and it was about an hour after sunset. The hawk looked cool as all get out and I was surprised that it came to the call (I am assuming). Anyway a couple minutes later I see the fox silhouetted on the dirt road. The road was white in the moonlight and I saw him until he ran off the road to the pond side. I had the gun pointing at what I thought was his shape but was not comfortable pulling the trigger. About this time I am thinking, dumbass, you should have put on your headlight when the sun went down. Fox lives, dumbass will get smarter about his headlight. But this was a huge rush. I have a new hobby after deer season. This is gonna be a blast.
Please tell me about your caller.....price; link...etc... I want to predator hunt something awful. But, we can't hunt them at night, here....and I can't hunt fox, period. Oh...Congrats! (sorry)
Foxpro Spitfire. Holds 24 sounds which is probably 20 more than I need for what I am doing. It sounds extremely realistic. Lot of reviews on the 'net about it, all good that I found. I have been lusting after Foxpro e-callers for a good couple years but could never justify the cost to myself. It was fortuitous that when I decided to get more serious about fox hunting that Foxpro now has the Spitfire for $199. I looked all over and could not find it cheaper. Used Foxpros seem to get purchased as soon as they are advertised. I purchased it from here: F & T Fur Harvester's Trading Post You can select the sounds you want pre-programmed on it and you can buy more from Foxpro (8 for $15, cheaper if you buy more). One of the nice things about it is that it will also play .wav and .mp3 files so you can make your own calls/call sequences if you are so inclined. The Foxpro sound files are proprietary and won't play on anything else but, then, I don't need them to play on anything else.
Congrats Bruce. It is addicting. Make sure to share some pics if/when you are successful. Jeff, he's got the same caller I have. http://www.gofoxpro.com/products/digital_calls/product_spitfire.php It costs $199. If you call the guys at Foxpro, and tell them where you hunt, and what you intend to hunt, they will tell you what calls to get on the unit. You can buy direct, or from http://www.allpredatorcalls.com/, those are probably the two best places. I'm not sure if buying direct that they will include the sounds, I know allpredatorcalls.com includes at no cost. I also got another couple of cards and set it up with sounds from Varmint Al (free sounds - http://varmintal.com/ahunt.htm), and from Western Rivers (more free sounds - http://www.western-rivers.com/Links-and-Downloads.asp?Agree=1). I can now throw in the other cards, reprogram the controller (takes 10 seconds), and then I've got another 24 sounds per card.
Just lazy (too lazy to look)..... Does it have crow sounds (for calling crows)? I've had some KILLER times shooting crows!
270 Crow Fight 271 Crow Party 272 Crow Duet 274 Young Crow 275 Dying Crow 276 Crow & Hawk 278 Crow Gathering 279 Struggling Crow 280 Crows These are the crow sounds. The Spitfire also can use the 24 bit sounds even though it isn't indicated on their sound list I am going to eventually get the crow sounds and go after them but our crow season ends Mar 15
Matt, I am already addicted after one go round LOL. It was a huge rush. Now, I just need to know what I am doing LOL. Definitely a fun learning experience. That Western Rivers link is awesome. Thanks! Good idea with making different cards for different things. I think I have rearranged and reprogrammed the caller about 50 times in 3 days LOL. I'll wait until I get a better handle on what I am doing but I think I will use your idea soon enough.
Good work Bruce, sounds like a cool way to get in more time in the woods. Sidenote....Jeff, you getting pounded with ice and snow? Looks like it is coming this way.
Just hit the driveway (you know the one!...lol) with the snow plow, again. It won't be bad, here, though. I hit it so my wife could come up in my truck. Bruce...I'd LOVE to have that caller in the AM! DAMMIT!
Awesome! I havent gotten out yet this year, I am not very good and only get out a few times a year anymore, but it is soo much fun when you actually call one in.
Yes, I bet that driveway can cause you fits if it is icy. Bruce, I have fox all over my neighborhood. One actually lives in my backyard somewhere. I see it all the time.
Its alot of fun isnt it Bruce? Ive prolly asked you but what part of southern MD are you from? On one of my props ive seen foxes about 60% of time I was out also got one with the z7. Im really looking forward to hunting some!
Charles County. CC , That's why I thought you were down here LOL. Never even thought of Carroll. I think it's going to be incredibly fun. The nice thing for me is I can go out back fox hunt a couple 100 acres.
Good for you man, I go fishing down that way alot. my buddys got a farm and we go out at night every once in awhile. It really is a blast when they come running in to the sound of your call.
Bruce / RJ: I'm gonna order a Spitfire, tomorrow. I think I'm gonna give Foxpro a call, first, and see what they recommend for around here. Also....I was watching a youtube video, this AM. I couldn't believe how loud the caller was. Man, I wouldn't have ever thought to go that loud. How do you know how loud to start/finish? Trial - error? Looking forward to it.
What I read says to start low, I will use 3 on the Spitfire, just in case there is one close by. Run the call for a minute or so and turn it off (mute on the Spitfire). Wait a while, however long you can stand it, I try for 15 minutes or so but it really depends on your line of sight in the daytime early evening. If nothing happens start again at 3 go about 15-20 seconds, then 4, wait, then 5, then maybe stop or bring it down. What I have read says that it is a good idea to start somewhat low and build, as if the animal was getting more desparate. I have squeekers and coaxers and that I plan on using at 1 or 2 to help draw the fox in. Keep in mind this is stuff I have read and I have very little real experience. Still trial and error for me. I am sure Matt will give us some very good tips when he sees this.
I've got some spots I wanna try it. Most of the videos on the web show 'em just running across fields....lol. I don't think I'll be doing much of that kinda hunting. I appreciate you guys helping me. I'm a complete dummy in this arena. I know nothing.
Bruce...RJ....anyone... When you set up, do you set up downwind of your caller? Or, do you set up with your caller downwind of you (behind you)? I'm assuming you have a good idea (or GUESS!) of where the predators will be coming from....and that you're facing in that direction. I'm (in my head) thinking I'm gonna want to put some kind of "barrier" on one side (if I can). Road....open field.....etc...? My guess is that just getting them to come in is important (naturally). But, I'm guessing actually getting a shot is gonna be tough. I wish I had a way to elevate without carrying a climber.
