That fox and I are going to do battle.
We have tried fox traps, lights and numerous other fox deterrents, including the introduction of two beautiful Alpacas (because I was told they keep foxes away), and we have built up the night-time yards so they are too high for a fox to climb in. So far, these yards have kept that fox out during nights, but it has become so brazen that, as you know from previous posts, it somehow got our first three free-ranging emus in broad daylight.
So, I am going to get a gun, learn to shoot and get my gun licence. Now, for those of you who find this disturbing, it’s important that you know that the fox is not natural to Australia; it was introduced in the mid 1800s for recreational hunting purposes and, fast forward to now, it has become a murderous pest. Foxes not only kill domestic birds, like ours, they kill a lot of the wildlife too.
I think the presence of the Alpacas has helped but they are such gentle animals I can’t imagine them killing anything!
Son named them Okami and Uluru. ‘Okami’ is, apparently, the Japanese word for a great spirit, god or wolf, and ‘Uluru’ is the Aboriginal term for what used to be called ‘Ayer’s rock’. So they have really powerful names, but their soft natures seem to contradict their reputation for being able to stomp on the fox problem.
So, what do you think about my getting-a-gun idea? I don’t see that I have any other choice. Obviously, as an animal lover, I empathise with this fox’s need to feed her cubs wherever they are but sometimes enough is enough!
That fox and I are going to do battle.
jmgoyder 
Julie get your gun there’s a fox in the hen run! 🙂
Hell!
There is a resounding silence – I guess the gun idea doesn’t sit well with people. It doesn’t with me either but what is the alternative?
I guess my reaction would be “you gotta do what you gotta do.” I don’t mind hunters if they eat the meat — could you feed the dogs so I feel better about the whole thing!
Seriously, it sounds like an interesting new turn in your life to get a firearm license and spend your days hunting a sly fox.
A final thought, all of the fairy tales and children’s stories I ever read as a child and that I read to to my own boys, had the fox (or wolf) winning. So, good luck with that! HA!
Since it’s a rural area, it’s probably not as odd as it sounds. For me it will be though!
I am not sure if the order of what you intend to do is exactly correct and law abiding… ‘I am going to get a gun, learn to shoot and get my gun licence’ I think you first need to learn to shoot (in a controlled and supervised environment called a gun club), then you apply for the licence and then you can buy the gun!
I do have some concerns (none of them are concerns for the fox as I hope you get the fat little buggars!) for you in the first instance and for those who I know that live nearby!
Love your blog… keep up the entertaining stories. CB.
Hi and that was very mischevious because I thought you were spam (you certainly do it well – ha!)
I can assure you, CB, that I will proceed in the appropriate manner in regard to my intention to my lawabiting desire to obtain a fox control methodology – hehe!
So when are you coming over?
Juliexx