Fox snaring
Foxes can be prolific predators of gamebirds, ground-nesting birds, small mammals and young livestock and need to be controlled.
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Home » Pest and Predator Control » Where do I start?
The shooting of foxes, ground game, pest birds and rats is necessary to ensure that damage to game, wildlife, livestock, and growing crops is kept at sustainable levels. Both in daylight and for certain species at night, it is a safe and effective method of control. It is the responsibility of all those involved in pest control to ensure that it is carried out properly.
Before shooting commences:
It is essential when shooting that the appropriate choice of firearm and ammunition are used. Correct range judging is also essential to ensure the most effective kills.
The key is understanding the pest you are trying to control as this will impact the equipment you use, the clothing you wear and the times you shoot.
The firearms you use will vary massively depending upon the species you are controlling. Shotguns are often used for avian species, air rifles for small close-range pests and rimfire and centrefire rifles for larger or over a greater distance.
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You will need to identify the target pest’s behaviour patterns and habits. Knowing where the pests are likely to feed and where they might hide can help you locate them and make a more effective shot.
When it comes to using firearms to control pest and predator species, there are a number of ways we can approach this.
When controlling foxes, it can be highly effective to use centrefire rifles at night, with some form of night vision, thermal imaging or illuminating device to spot and aim.
When dealing with smaller pest species such as rats and squirrels, air rifles are very effective for use at close range.
Foxes can be prolific predators of gamebirds, ground-nesting birds, small mammals and young livestock and need to be controlled.
Find out everything you need to know below. Whether you are new to pest control, or want more practical advice we’ve got you covered.
This Code is aimed at those who carry out fox control in the English countryside to describe best practice when using snares.
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