Gray Fox Questions?

[TreednNC]

Ok so this is probably just a general predator hunting question, but here goes.

The property I deer hunt is crawling with gray foxes. Have saw 5 this year while deer hunting, either crawling with, or like to show themselves often. My questions are...

Assuming they will come to a cottontail in distress call....mouth blown or electric?

I don't currently own any 'predator' calibers. I have.22lrandthen skip up to a .270. Could I use a turkey load in a 12ga and try to get them within 40yds?Or would a 22lr be enough for a fox?

Hopefully will be getting a .243 soon to double as a predator/varmit gun and light deer gun. Only one I have ever killed was with a 270, lol over kill to say the least, as you know.

Land owner really want's me to get rid of these things as he loves his small upland game. There is only 60ac there. half farm, half cutover. He said he would pay me $10 for every one I kill, but I'm not going to take any money from him, he let's me deer hunt for free, and doesn't ask for anything in return, even though I offer all the time.

Ive only 'predator' hunted once with success. Ive been maybe 5 times, and had 2 coyotes to come in (diff location) first time I hunted there, but was under gunned.

I figure hunt the wind like you would with a deer.....any other tips would be helpful. Thank you.

[Jim_IV]

Assuming they will come to a cottontail in distress call....mouth blown or electric?

Either will work, I would personally use hand blown. Are you going to be hunting them specifically, or just shoot them if you see them deer hunting?

Could I use a turkey load in a 12ga and try to get them within 40yds?

Don't see why it wouldn't

Or would a 22lr be enough for a fox?

Probably, but if your not going to mount them, and you are just trying to get rid of them, shoot em with the .270

I figure hunt the wind like you would with a deer

You are correct

[TreednNC]

Wait til after deer season to hunt them. Might not mount them, but wouldnt mind having a skin.

[njbuck22]

Im not expert about predator hunting, but i ended up shootinga grey fox last friday while deer hunting. They sure are a pretty animal when you get them up close.

[Pygmy]

Years back, I killed dozens of grey foxes with an electronic game caller...The best producer was a recording of a grey fox pup in distress.. The sqealing rabbit works well too..

I used a shotgun with #4 shot and it killed well out to 40 or 45 yards...

A 3 inch mag with turkey loads would work fine...

A .22 LR with hollow points also works well and will anchor a fox with most any solid torso hit... It's more "fur freindly" than centerfires...

The .17 HMR did not exist when I was fox hunting, but I suspect it would be a good choice, also..

[TreednNC]

Thanks guys. Will have to break my calls back out and see what happens around New Years

[Lanse couche couche]

Dunno what fur prices are like this year, but some years you can get some pretty good cash for a prime Gray fox pelt. You might check into it. If the fur prices are good, then the smaller caliber you can use the better, or try to go for head shots with the shotgun.

[Baker63]

I have had the best luck calling them just at last light or first light with a grey fox in distress tape. A couple of times I have taken doubles at the same set up. I use a 12 gauge with #4 shot. A large caliber rifle will blow a large hole in them. A grey fox will respond very agreesive to a grey fox distress call and you can get them easy within shotgun range. Heres a couple of greyspictured with my son that I took calling one evening here in Indiana at one setup.

[tyleryeags]

nice gray foxes and thats a big coon congrats i hope i bag a few after christmas when i get my new calls im new also at hunting coyotes and foxes i seen many foxes and coyos where i deer hunt and i hope to go there and get a few