Foxes - How to find them?

mrkaijai · #1 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 02:50 PM

Hi guys,
for the past year i've been trying (half heartedly admitted) to find the foxes, they were in the garden at september time and have been spotted on the CCTV cameras at night time occasionally but not everynight - we have 2 dogs so putting food in the garden will just get guzzled up by them. There are woods very near by and i'm positive they will be in there somewhere. I just have no idea how to find them - I do own a camera trap however! Does anyone have any advice on how to find foxes?
Thanks

Littlesparrow · #2 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 03:30 PM

I have moved around Britain a bit and find the foxes behave differently in different areas.
In Weston super Mare they were as bold as brass, and would sit on top of my hedge sunning themselves, you could walk right up to them and shout before they would move. In Sandbach ,Cheshire you very rarely see a fox near the houses and if you spot one out in the countryside they run off as soon as they see you.
I get to Know where the foxes are from dog walking, I tend to see them early in the morning or around dusk and of course foxes can hear you coming so you have to be quiet.

mrkaijai · #3 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 04:11 PM

I've put some food out in the woods and on the outskirts (i mean right in the thick of some shrub where the dogs don't go) of my garden - Do you think if i regularly put food in one of those spots foxes would realise that there is food to be had there and eventually might accept my presence there - watching from a distance of course

nytecam · #4 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 04:27 PM

A continuous foxes den has been in the wastland immediately behind our house for the last 40 years we've been here and probably have a longer pedigree [in generations] that us humans.

During recent snows the vixen was out midmorning - see my 'urban fox vid' link on this forum

STYRBJORN · #5 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 04:58 PM

OK. 1st thing you need is a bit of expanded polystyrene, the stuff they use for packing. A couple of square inches will be fine. Then a small piece of glass, I use one of those little meat paste bottles. Breathe on the glass and wipe the 'styrene across. Try different strokes, and play around with the sounds you get. You are trying to imitate the sound of a small animal in distress so keep the volume down.
Now go to the area where you think there are foxes. Sit near a tree, wear dark clothes, DON'T SMOKE, and make the occasional squeak over the glass. You will of course have a good torch with red film over the lens. If you see a pair of eyes, try another squeak. Charlie may well come in closer. Don't overdo the squeaks, but with a lamp and and calling you should get some good views.

Ric

mrkaijai · #6 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 05:20 PM

Is there a chance that this squeek technique will work in the day time encouraging the fox to come to where food is situated?

STYRBJORN · #7 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrkaijai

Is there a chance that this squeek technique will work in the day time encouraging the fox to come to where food is situated?

Yes. You will have to be very low key, so to speak, yourself. The main thing is not to overdo the squeaks. Charlie ain't stupid! A good bait is a tin of sardines. Sprinkle the oil on the ground and lead a trail up to the fish. You'll likely need to do this for a day or two but hey! Sardines are cheap!
Squeak Charlie in to near where you have your bait then leave it to his nose to find the fish.

mrkaijai · #8 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 07:39 PM

Will I be able to hear them calling during the day time, they are most vocal at this time of the year aren't they?

STYRBJORN · #9 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrkaijai

Will I be able to hear them calling during the day time, they are most vocal at this time of the year aren't they?

The foxes are giving mating calls, mostly at night. What you need is to sit tight near where you hear them calling and then tempt them in with a little squeak that sounds like dinner!

mrkaijai · #10 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 08:34 PM

I havent heard them calling before, because the woods is about 600m away from the house so it's a bit of a walk and there are a few houses in the way, i'm sure there are foxes that do call in there though - I'll try one day and sit out for a few hours with the squeeking technique - How long do you think i would have to be waiting out on average? Can they hear the squeeking from far away?