Usually I call in foxes if I am using a dead rabbit as a lure but in January when they are starting to mate they are much less susceptable to calling. They have other thoughts on their mind....

This however makes them much more bolder...and you often see them out and about in much less "cover" than they usually use. If there are two of them and one keeps getting pushed by the other and sits down a lot...she is the female and this is the one to shoot first. The male will circle around and come back to her and you can take him then.

The fox I shot above was an old "male" and whilst I waited a good while he had no "mate" in tow...so I guess the females are not yet coming into season...we have had a bad cold spell here so it may be a bit later than usual this year. That's why the carcass has gone in the freezer and I will give it another week. An "old un" like him would be the first to acquire a "mate" so I guess it is not happening yet. When it begins then things will get busy on the "culling" front...