Shooting Times & Country

Catching the culprit

I watched the two youngsters rolling and play fighting in the grass little more than 80 yards in front of me. The early evening brought with it a cool breeze that no doubt would be refreshing for the cubs that had hidden in their earth through the long summer’s day. I adjusted the scope to see them a little better and enjoyed watching their antics as they chased each other in a puppyish way. I had no intention of culling these young tearaways as they were far from the lambing fields and this year’s lambs were now well grown and out of danger.

“Foxes are also extremely efficient killing machines”

In the crosshairs

I knew full well, however, that there was every chance that these cubs would eventually leave the area as young adults in search of territories of their own and might well stand under my crosshairs

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Shooting Times & Country

Shooting Times & Country3 min read
Gamekeeper
Alan Edwards is conservation manager at Bywell, a Purdey Gold Award estate in Northumberland A gentle plop at the end of a straight line on an almost perfect cast. Surely this time a fish would show some interest in my offering? Sadly not. Wondering
Shooting Times & Country1 min read
Fallow Deer Seen Romping Through Plymouth Hospital
Two fallow bucks were seen in Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, in the early hours of Monday, 24 July. A Plymouth deer expert said the animals, believed to have weighed about 100kg (15st 10lb) each, could have posed a safety risk. A hospital spokesperson
Shooting Times & Country4 min read
An Otter In The Valley
I had pulled a tendon in my left leg. On referring to hunting diaries of the past few years, I find this to be an annual event occurring at the same time each year. It must be because of the hiatus between the beagling and the otterhunting seasons an

Related Books & Audiobooks