Came home from a hospital appointment today to discover a scene of farmyard-carnage: Fox been at my chickens; he`d killed a few, but didn`t eat any of them.....What an utter waste! >:(

Perhaps those in power whom dogmatically applied the Labour party`s 'ban' on Fox hunting, might care to explain why they hold their view of the Fox as simply a harmless, cute and cuddly addition to the rural landscape.
Any verminous Foxes hereabouts will surely be suffering from an extreme case of 12 gauge 'lead-poisoning' when see them! >:(

Sorry for your loss, hope your new magnificent cock is ok  :y

Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:16:

Came home from a hospital appointment today to discover a scene of farmyard-carnage: Fox been at my chickens; he`d killed a few, but didn`t eat any of them.....What an utter waste! >:( Perhaps those in power whom dogmatically applied the Labour party`s 'ban' on Fox hunting, might care to explain why they hold their view of the Fox as simply a harmless, cute and cuddly addition to the rural landscape. Any verminous Foxes hereabouts will surely be suffering from an extreme case of 12 gauge 'lead-poisoning' when see them! >:(

Don't start me off.....

Sad news Debs :(

Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:16:

Came home from a hospital appointment today to discover a scene of farmyard-carnage: Fox been at my chickens; he`d killed a few, but didn`t eat any of them.....What an utter waste! >:( Perhaps those in power whom dogmatically applied the Labour party`s 'ban' on Fox hunting, might care to explain why they hold their view of the Fox as simply a harmless, cute and cuddly addition to the rural landscape. Any verminous Foxes hereabouts will surely be suffering from an extreme case of 12 gauge 'lead-poisoning' when see them! >:(

Because of course they do not understand the natural laws of the countryside Debs, and leave farmers like you picking up the pieces! :'( :'( :'( :'(

Sorry to hear of your losses Debs :'( :'( :'(

Roast chicken tonight then ::)


On the subject of hunting, I have no views either way. What I did used to object to was the toffe nose twats watching it abandoning their cars like complete tossers, then make out its all my fault when I give the tosspots a load of verbal for being too effing lazy to walk 20yrds....

Jimbob wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:20:

Sorry for your loss, hope your new magnificent thingy is ok  :y

Indeed he is! :y

His 'cockiness' led him to take refuge on the barn roof; so avoiding the attentions of 'Raynard'.....A happy cockup! ;)

I sympathize with you on that one Debs. An old farmer that i knew many years ago had just the same happen & put all of what was left off laying.
Needless to say that a fox drew its last breath a few days later when i blasted it with my 12 gauge. Now it may not have been the same one, but the old guy was just as gratefull. The fox will if given enough time actually return for the dead birds & carry off all of them, then he'll bury them for a later meal. The secret is to wait for his return later the same night :y :y
Yup, i'm a right country bumpkin me ;D

TheBoy wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:24:

Roast chicken tonight then ::)

Trouble is that the fox gets into a frenzy and tears them to shreds (probably useable by KFC/McDonalds).

Fortunately our chickens have been safe so far.... must be due to the run being built to rotor bunker standards!!!!

Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:16:

Came home from a hospital appointment today to discover a scene of farmyard-carnage: Fox been at my chickens; he`d killed a few, but didn`t eat any of them.....What an utter waste! >:( Perhaps those in power whom dogmatically applied the Labour party`s 'ban' on Fox hunting, might care to explain why they hold their view of the Fox as simply a harmless, cute and cuddly addition to the rural landscape. Any verminous Foxes hereabouts will surely be suffering from an extreme case of 12 gauge 'lead-poisoning' when see them! >:(

Double o buckshot should be the natural choice Debs :y :y

wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:27:

Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:16: Came home from a hospital appointment today to discover a scene of farmyard-carnage: Fox been at my chickens; he`d killed a few, but didn`t eat any of them.....What an utter waste! >:( Perhaps those in power whom dogmatically applied the Labour party`s 'ban' on Fox hunting, might care to explain why they hold their view of the Fox as simply a harmless, cute and cuddly addition to the rural landscape. Any verminous Foxes hereabouts will surely be suffering from an extreme case of 12 gauge 'lead-poisoning' when see them! >:( Double o buckshot should be the natural choice Debs :y :y

:o :o :o Have you seen the size of double o? I wouldn't want it in backside :'( :'( :'( :'(

Lizzie Zoom wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:23:

Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:16: Came home from a hospital appointment today to discover a scene of farmyard-carnage: Fox been at my chickens; he`d killed a few, but didn`t eat any of them.....What an utter waste! >:( Perhaps those in power whom dogmatically applied the Labour party`s 'ban' on Fox hunting, might care to explain why they hold their view of the Fox as simply a harmless, cute and cuddly addition to the rural landscape. Any verminous Foxes hereabouts will surely be suffering from an extreme case of 12 gauge 'lead-poisoning' when see them! >:( Because of course they do not understand the natural laws of the countryside Debs, and leave farmers like you picking up the pieces! :'( :'( :'( :'( Sorry to hear of your losses Debs :'( :'( :'(

Is that before or after man ::)

VXL V6 wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:27:

TheBoy wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:24: Roast chicken tonight then ::) Trouble is that the fox gets into a frenzy and tears them to shreds (probably useable by KFC/McDonalds). Fortunately our chickens have been safe so far.... must be due to the run being built to rotor bunker standards!!!!

Not sure what it is about the Colonel's Secret Recipe of 11 herbs and spices, but if I scoff KFC chicken, I'm normally in a rush home, straight up to the bathroom ::)

I found their Zinger burgers do not have that effect, so presume its something in the skin...

Pete. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:33:

wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:27: Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:16: Came home from a hospital appointment today to discover a scene of farmyard-carnage: Fox been at my chickens; he`d killed a few, but didn`t eat any of them.....What an utter waste! >:( Perhaps those in power whom dogmatically applied the Labour party`s 'ban' on Fox hunting, might care to explain why they hold their view of the Fox as simply a harmless, cute and cuddly addition to the rural landscape. Any verminous Foxes hereabouts will surely be suffering from an extreme case of 12 gauge 'lead-poisoning' when see them! >:( Double o buckshot should be the natural choice Debs :y :y :o :o :o Have you seen the size of double o? I wouldn't want it in backside :'( :'( :'( :'(

Especially if it's then followed quickly by a solid slug  :o :o :y

talking of toffe nose huntsman, i a happened to see a dozen of them on a piss up wkend last wk all dressed in tweed and the other half dressed as foxes. what a sight pissed up, 1 of them was carrying a tv the others were carrying a 10 ft statue of a chef with a mechete in his hand

wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:36:

Pete. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:33: wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:27: Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:16: Came home from a hospital appointment today to discover a scene of farmyard-carnage: Fox been at my chickens; he`d killed a few, but didn`t eat any of them.....What an utter waste! >:( Perhaps those in power whom dogmatically applied the Labour party`s 'ban' on Fox hunting, might care to explain why they hold their view of the Fox as simply a harmless, cute and cuddly addition to the rural landscape. Any verminous Foxes hereabouts will surely be suffering from an extreme case of 12 gauge 'lead-poisoning' when see them! >:( Double o buckshot should be the natural choice Debs :y :y :o :o :o Have you seen the size of double o? I wouldn't want it in backside :'( :'( :'( :'( Especially if it's then followed quickly by a solid slug  :o :o :y

I still have one left some where. Because the barrels don't a spirral they have their own. You remove the shot & wadding from a standard cartridge & replace with a slug. They make a very very large hole in what ever you fire them at :y :y :y

can we come round debs for a oof shoting range
use the foxes as targets

TheBoy wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:35:

VXL V6 wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:27: TheBoy wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:24: Roast chicken tonight then ::) Trouble is that the fox gets into a frenzy and tears them to shreds (probably useable by KFC/McDonalds). Fortunately our chickens have been safe so far.... must be due to the run being built to rotor bunker standards!!!! Not sure what it is about the Colonel's Secret Recipe of 11 herbs and spices, but if I scoff KFC chicken, I'm normally in a rush home, straight up to the bathroom ::) I found their Zinger burgers do not have that effect, so presume its something in the skin...

I've just had two Fillet tower meals, its the wife's fault she has gone out and left me to fend for myself and I can't work the burner, I would call it a cooker but I can't get it to cook ::)

nick v6 wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:41:

can we come round debs for a oof shoting range use the foxes as targets

sometimes , the hunters who go hunting can be hunted :D

so be carefull :y

are foxs a new threat then?

Elite Pete wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:42:

TheBoy wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:35: VXL V6 wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:27: TheBoy wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:24: Roast chicken tonight then ::) Trouble is that the fox gets into a frenzy and tears them to shreds (probably useable by KFC/McDonalds). Fortunately our chickens have been safe so far.... must be due to the run being built to rotor bunker standards!!!! Not sure what it is about the Colonel's Secret Recipe of 11 herbs and spices, but if I scoff KFC chicken, I'm normally in a rush home, straight up to the bathroom ::) I found their Zinger burgers do not have that effect, so presume its something in the skin... I've just had two Fillet tower meals, its the wife's fault she has gone out and left me to fend for myself and I can't work the burner, I would call it a cooker but I can't get it to cook ::)

;D ;D ;D ;D

chrisgixer wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:45:

are foxs a new threat then?

;D ;D ;D very good chris  ;D ;D ;D

Pete. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:41:

wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:36: Pete. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:33: wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:27: Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:16: Came home from a hospital appointment today to discover a scene of farmyard-carnage: Fox been at my chickens; he`d killed a few, but didn`t eat any of them.....What an utter waste! >:( Perhaps those in power whom dogmatically applied the Labour party`s 'ban' on Fox hunting, might care to explain why they hold their view of the Fox as simply a harmless, cute and cuddly addition to the rural landscape. Any verminous Foxes hereabouts will surely be suffering from an extreme case of 12 gauge 'lead-poisoning' when see them! >:( Double o buckshot should be the natural choice Debs :y :y :o :o :o Have you seen the size of double o? I wouldn't want it in backside :'( :'( :'( :'( Especially if it's then followed quickly by a solid slug  :o :o :y I still have one left some where. Because the barrels don't a spirral they have their own. You remove the shot & wadding from a standard cartridge & replace with a slug. They make a very very large hole in what ever you fire them at :y :y :y

You speak words of great truth there Pete :y :y

wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:49:

Pete. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:41: wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:36: Pete. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:33: wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:27: Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:16: Came home from a hospital appointment today to discover a scene of farmyard-carnage: Fox been at my chickens; he`d killed a few, but didn`t eat any of them.....What an utter waste! >:( Perhaps those in power whom dogmatically applied the Labour party`s 'ban' on Fox hunting, might care to explain why they hold their view of the Fox as simply a harmless, cute and cuddly addition to the rural landscape. Any verminous Foxes hereabouts will surely be suffering from an extreme case of 12 gauge 'lead-poisoning' when see them! >:( Double o buckshot should be the natural choice Debs :y :y :o :o :o Have you seen the size of double o? I wouldn't want it in backside :'( :'( :'( :'( Especially if it's then followed quickly by a solid slug  :o :o :y I still have one left some where. Because the barrels don't a spirral they have their own. You remove the shot & wadding from a standard cartridge & replace with a slug. They make a very very large hole in what ever you fire them at :y :y :y You speak words of great truth there Pete :y :y

Also if my memory serves me correct, thay can't be fired down anything more than 1/2 choke, else you end up with banana barrels ;D ;D & a face full of shrapnel :o :o

Pete. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:57:

wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:49: Pete. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:41: wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:36: Pete. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:33: wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:27: Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:16: Came home from a hospital appointment today to discover a scene of farmyard-carnage: Fox been at my chickens; he`d killed a few, but didn`t eat any of them.....What an utter waste! >:( Perhaps those in power whom dogmatically applied the Labour party`s 'ban' on Fox hunting, might care to explain why they hold their view of the Fox as simply a harmless, cute and cuddly addition to the rural landscape. Any verminous Foxes hereabouts will surely be suffering from an extreme case of 12 gauge 'lead-poisoning' when see them! >:( Double o buckshot should be the natural choice Debs :y :y :o :o :o Have you seen the size of double o? I wouldn't want it in backside :'( :'( :'( :'( Especially if it's then followed quickly by a solid slug  :o :o :y I still have one left some where. Because the barrels don't a spirral they have their own. You remove the shot & wadding from a standard cartridge & replace with a slug. They make a very very large hole in what ever you fire them at :y :y :y You speak words of great truth there Pete :y :y Also if my memory serves me correct, thay can't be fired down anything more than 1/2 choke, else you end up with banana barrels ;D ;D & a face full of shrapnel :o :o

Yep I wouldn't take the chance Pete :y :y

wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:36:

Especially if it's then followed quickly by a solid slug  :o :o :y

I have lead-slugs for my .410 cal. 'over-n-under' ;)

Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 21:03:

wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:36: Especially if it's then followed quickly by a solid slug  :o :o :y I have lead-slugs for my .410 cal. 'over-n-under' ;)

You're cookin' there Debs, nice tidy gauge, very luggable :y :y

Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 21:03:

wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:36: Especially if it's then followed quickly by a solid slug  :o :o :y I have lead-slugs for my .410 cal. 'over-n-under' ;)

Wrap up warm in dark clothing especially DPM, down wind from any tracks he may have left in the mud (that's the way he'll return) & give it both barrels. You could always leave some bate out laced with something nasty ;)

seriously there are many events noted in history that a group of hunters shoot other accidentally.. :-/

cem wrote on 27. May 2009 at 21:14:

seriously there are many events noted in history that a group of hunters shoot other accidentally.. :-/

Not much fear of that happening to Debs ;) ;D

cem wrote on 27. May 2009 at 21:14:

seriously there are many events noted in history that a group of hunters shoot other accidentally.. :-/

You're not thinking of former VP  Dick Cheney there are you cem? ;D ;D :y

Pete. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 21:10:

Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 21:03: wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:36: Especially if it's then followed quickly by a solid slug  :o :o :y I have lead-slugs for my .410 cal. 'over-n-under' ;) Wrap up warm in dark clothing especially DPM, down wind from any tracks he may have left in the mud (that's the way he'll return) & give it both barrels. You could always leave some bate out laced with something nasty ;)

I have visions of Deb's re-enacting that scene from 'The Bodyguard'  ;D

Pete. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 21:16:

cem wrote on 27. May 2009 at 21:14: seriously there are many events noted in history that a group of hunters shoot other accidentally.. :-/ Not much fear of that happening to Debs ;) ;D

if you enter the scenario as a group of newbie hunters , probably ;D

wrote on 27. May 2009 at 21:18:

cem wrote on 27. May 2009 at 21:14: seriously there are many events noted in history that a group of hunters shoot other accidentally.. :-/ You're not thinking of former VP  Dick Cheney there are you cem? ;D ;D :y

good bless from the evil ;D

your all forgetting the big issue, Debs has weapons  :o

I think we should all be *extra* nice to her, my body does not like lead!  ;D

VXL V6 wrote on 27. May 2009 at 21:20:

I have visions of Deb's re-enacting that scene from 'The Bodyguard'  ;D

I was thinking more like "Deathwish" ::)

tunnie wrote on 27. May 2009 at 21:47:

your all forgetting the big issue, Debs has weapons  :o I think we should all be *extra* nice to her, my body does not like lead!  ;D

Tunnie!! really :-[ :-[ :-[ ;D ;D

Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 21:51:

VXL V6 wrote on 27. May 2009 at 21:20: I have visions of Deb's re-enacting that scene from 'The Bodyguard'  ;D I was thinking more like "Deathwish" ::)

Aah but for that Debs you would require a military spec Franchi SPAS 12 with the folding stock and extended 8 round magazine in a fetching 12 guage open choke style - and remember to ensure said magazine was fully charged in the following configuration; 2x00 buckshot, 1Xslug, 2X00, 1Xslug, 2X00, 1Xslug and finally 2X00.  You will be well regarded and held in high esteem from that point onwards ;) ;) ;) :y

Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:16:

Any verminous Foxes hereabouts will surely be suffering from an extreme case of 12 gauge 'lead-poisoning' when see them! >:(

If you have a spare gun I'll help you  :y

Guffer wrote on 27. May 2009 at 22:14:

Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:16: Any verminous Foxes hereabouts will surely be suffering from an extreme case of 12 gauge 'lead-poisoning' when see them! >:( If you have a spare gun I'll help you  :y

Why, is yours broken?..... :D :D :D

Vamps wrote on 27. May 2009 at 22:16:

Guffer wrote on 27. May 2009 at 22:14: Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:16: Any verminous Foxes hereabouts will surely be suffering from an extreme case of 12 gauge 'lead-poisoning' when see them! >:( If you have a spare gun I'll help you  :y Why, is yours broken?..... :D :D :D

;D ;D ;D ;D :y

Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:16:

Came home from a hospital appointment today to discover a scene of farmyard-carnage: Fox been at my chickens; he`d killed a few, but didn`t eat any of them.....What an utter waste! >:( Perhaps those in power whom dogmatically applied the Labour party`s 'ban' on Fox hunting, might care to explain why they hold their view of the Fox as simply a harmless, cute and cuddly addition to the rural landscape. Any verminous Foxes hereabouts will surely be suffering from an extreme case of 12 gauge 'lead-poisoning' when see them! >:(

well seen as no one else is going to i'd better step up as the devils advocate.

I've got no qualms with you killling a pest to protect your livestock, but do you really need to dress up like a bunch of posh wankers and chase the animal for miles before letting your dogs rip it limb from limb?

not very humane is it :-X

cant you entice the blighter back by leaving out a glacier mint ;),,,,,o,k o,k, coat,hat, exit stage left :D

VXL V6 wrote on 27. May 2009 at 21:20:

Pete. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 21:10: Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 21:03: wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:36: Especially if it's then followed quickly by a solid slug  :o :o :y I have lead-slugs for my .410 cal. 'over-n-under' ;) Wrap up warm in dark clothing especially DPM, down wind from any tracks he may have left in the mud (that's the way he'll return) & give it both barrels. You could always leave some bate out laced with something nasty ;) I have visions of Deb's re-enacting that scene from 'The Bodyguard'  ;D

Or Jasper Carrott's "Mole Hunting". ;D  
Sitting in the middle of his lawn on revolving stool with a torch strapped to the barrel of a 12 bore.  :D ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fePU5CIHpas

HerefordElite wrote on 27. May 2009 at 22:29:

Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:16: Came home from a hospital appointment today to discover a scene of farmyard-carnage: Fox been at my chickens; he`d killed a few, but didn`t eat any of them.....What an utter waste! >:( Perhaps those in power whom dogmatically applied the Labour party`s 'ban' on Fox hunting, might care to explain why they hold their view of the Fox as simply a harmless, cute and cuddly addition to the rural landscape. Any verminous Foxes hereabouts will surely be suffering from an extreme case of 12 gauge 'lead-poisoning' when see them! >:( well seen as no one else is going to i'd better step up as the devils advocate. I've got no qualms with you killling a pest to protect your livestock, but do you really need to dress up like a bunch of posh wankers and chase the animal for miles before letting your dogs rip it limb from limb? not very humane is it :-X

With you on that one :y 
Blow the blighter to oblivion by all means, and best of luck doing it.   
As for dressing up like a "total rooster" to chase it for miles and then letting hounds rip it to shreds... >:( >:(   

HerefordElite wrote on 27. May 2009 at 22:29:

Debs. wrote on 27. May 2009 at 20:16: Came home from a hospital appointment today to discover a scene of farmyard-carnage: Fox been at my chickens; he`d killed a few, but didn`t eat any of them.....What an utter waste! >:( Perhaps those in power whom dogmatically applied the Labour party`s 'ban' on Fox hunting, might care to explain why they hold their view of the Fox as simply a harmless, cute and cuddly addition to the rural landscape. Any verminous Foxes hereabouts will surely be suffering from an extreme case of 12 gauge 'lead-poisoning' when see them! >:( well seen as no one else is going to i'd better step up as the devils advocate. I've got no qualms with you killling a pest to protect your livestock, but do you really need to dress up like a bunch of posh wankers and chase the animal for miles before letting your dogs rip it limb from limb? not very humane is it :-X

I agree with your point - however, in Debs' defence, it's only fair to point out that there is no evidence she does this - she has only mentioned the protection of her chickens - nothing more....

No worries :y I don't think anyone here is implying Debs is one of those @r$es.
"Tally Ho !" indeed. Most are nothing but a bunch of obnoxious, self opinionated, horse faced, in-bred pratts !!  >:(

And before anyone jumps to their defence by claiming that I'm unfairly stereotyping, all I can say is that being raised in south west Wales and having between 28 to 30 horses at any given time, I would often meet these people at various events and could spot them in an instant.
Absolutely no time for them, whatsoever !  >:(

(Now where did I throw my toys and dummy)  :D

sorry to hear about your loss debs .get your self a machine gun then when it comes back you won't miss .because of the hunting ban the fox population must have increased ten fold .you see them in the towns walking round ,not frightened of anything .hope you catch the bugger :y

Fox Hunting: "The unspeakable in pursuit of the inedible" as Oscar Wilde would have it.

Whilst not in any way aligning myself with the 'toss-pots' that seem attracted to the social scene they perceive hunting on horseback to be: I do think that hunting on foot with hounds (without the 'arses-on-horses', as previously practiced hereabouts) did keep the Fox population down to reasonable levels.....since the 'ban' it has become extemely difficult to control Foxes using 'legal' methods, especially as many "non-local" (holiday-visitors/incomers) people seem hyper-motivated to summon Police/RSPCA attention upon seeing ANY rural-hunting activity (even when legally sanctioned).

[irony] It is a fact that (like Rats) Foxes are overpopulate vermin: perhaps we rural folk might impose a ban on town`s folk killing/trapping/poisoning urban Rats.....they are kind of cute![/irony] ::)

Hmm. We have foxes in Spain but they are no where near as bold as British foxes. Dogs are the problem here. Semi feral cos the Spanish boot them out once they are no longer gorgeous puppies. We loose about five birds a year. worse was a pair of guinea fowl. Found one dead and blood all over the 1st floor wall of the house. The other one I couldn't find till I stumbled over it four hours later with a yard of entrails hanging out. It died as I picked it up. Very, very harrowing. The "owners" just shrug.

Fifty years ago, my folks had a small holding and had problems with foxes. My dad bought from Boots the chemist, a phial of Strychenine (ostensibly for reducing the worm population). He put a tiny amount in a hen egg and watched it every half hour. When it went he went down the track and there Mr Fox was absolutely rigid with a terrible grimace on his face. He can't remember what happened to the rest but there would have been enough to kill everyone in Lancashire! 

El Varche

Varche wrote on 28. May 2009 at 09:39:

Hmm. We have foxes in Spain but they are no where near as bold as British foxes. Dogs are the problem here. Semi feral cos the Spanish boot them out once they are no longer gorgeous puppies. We loose about five birds a year. worse was a pair of guinea fowl. Found one dead and blood all over the 1st floor wall of the house. The other one I couldn't find till I stumbled over it four hours later with a yard of entrails hanging out. It died as I picked it up. Very, very harrowing. The "owners" just shrug. Fifty years ago, my folks had a small holding and had problems with foxes. My dad bought from Boots the chemist, a phial of Strychenine (ostensibly for reducing the worm population). He put a tiny amount in a hen egg and watched it every half hour. When it went he went down the track and there Mr Fox was absolutely rigid with a terrible grimace on his face. He can't remember what happened to the rest but there would have been enough to kill everyone in Lancashire!  El Varche

You must originally come from Yorkshire then? ;D


Seriously; some 'old-timers' hereabouts still use strychnine-laced earthworms to kill moles. :o

Poisoning is a horrible death for any animal: Strychnine particularly-so; even in tiny concentrations.....I favour acute "lead poisoning" (administered as the 12 gauge 'bolus') for all pests; it`s quick and causes minimal suffering.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strychnine

Correct, Yorkshireman thru and thru (and proper Yorkshire at that). :y

I had always wondered about the worm element of that story as they only do good. Anti mole yes that sounds about right.   I wonder how the old timers lace the worms.? In their breakfast cereal, syringe a dab under their armpits perhaps. :) :)

Lets not forget that while vermin they do have a very large benefit for nature in that they are like sharks and clean up by eating dead carcasses and the weaker wildlife that should not procreate, but they need to be controlled and I agree that the rapid application of lead is the best way.

Being an Officer of her majesty's armed forces I may be stereotyped into the fox-hunting crowd and in fact I know of few of that 'set'.  If I recall correctly the dogs rarely manage to catch a fox as he is much quicker and can fit in small burrows and often a fox will be chased until it goes to ground.  Penned in by terrier, it is then dug out by a specially trained keeper who will shoot it point blank.  Not as humane as the rapid application of lead but not as dispicable as some suggest it is.

I hold my German hunting license which if anyone knows what you have to do to get it fosters a responsibility on the hunter to make sure that the correct animal is culled, humanely and quickly.  Any game injured is tracked often for tens of kilometers and put out of its misery, but we try and avoid that as best we can.  The seasons for different animals and even ages and sex are closely monitored, the punishments for not following them are swift and harsh (often very expensive)

We have a deer population in the UK that is twice as large as it should be and we know have pockets of wild boar which grow on a scale of 9 every season.  Considering that they can cover upto 80km in one night, very soon they will be prevalent throughout our countryside. 

In Berlin they dont have foxes in urban areas they have boar!  :o

Foxes do kill for pleasure & also clear carcasses so any livestock holder is entitled in my book to protect their assets. Despite being born in Sth. London i grew up (???) in Sussex & Dad was a vet so am familiar with country ways & have no problem with traditional foxhunting any more than i do pheasant shooting etc. That's just how it is & if townies don't like it then stay in the town. In fact i'd like to protest against protesters, frickin' idealistic clueless morons. I don't ask veggies to eat meat, non smokers to smoke, religeous folk to become athiest etc. I leave them to it.
    Perhaps they should stop taking the moral high ground, redress the balance, stop bleating about things they have of idea about & let us make our own decisions. Nature & tradition have their own ways.
   Ill stop banging the high chair with my plastic spoon now!!!!!!!!!!!! ::)

 

Guffer wrote on 28. May 2009 at 13:58:

Lets not forget that while vermin they do have a very large benefit for nature in that they are like sharks and clean up by eating dead carcasses and the weaker wildlife that should not procreate, but they need to be controlled and I agree that the rapid application of lead is the best way. Being an Officer of her majesty's armed forces I may be stereotyped into the fox-hunting crowd and in fact I know of few of that 'set'.  If I recall correctly the dogs rarely manage to catch a fox as he is much quicker and can fit in small burrows and often a fox will be chased until it goes to ground.  Penned in by terrier, it is then dug out by a specially trained keeper who will shoot it point blank.  Not as humane as the rapid application of lead but not as dispicable as some suggest it is. I hold my German hunting license which if anyone knows what you have to do to get it fosters a responsibility on the hunter to make sure that the correct animal is culled, humanely and quickly.  Any game injured is tracked often for tens of kilometers and put out of its misery, but we try and avoid that as best we can.  The seasons for different animals and even ages and sex are closely monitored, the punishments for not following them are swift and harsh (often very expensive) We have a deer population in the UK that is twice as large as it should be and we know have pockets of wild boar which grow on a scale of 9 every season.  Considering that they can cover upto 80km in one night, very soon they will be prevalent throughout our countryside.  In Berlin they dont have foxes in urban areas they have boar!  :o

And in Sweden they have moose,s  ;D ;D both the moose and a boar will make a right mess off of your car if you hit one , having seen the aftermath of both creatures hitting a car and a truck. The boar got up and run away from the car and the moose did £14k's worth of damage to a scania 143 and no it was'nt at the same time just in case some smart alec ask's :D :D The moose was up on the way to stokholm and the boar was out the way of the kent /sussex border out back of Tunbridge Wells