Dead foxes hung up

[Amowat]

Just wondered what is the reason for hanging up a shot fox on a fence? Not that I am complaining because I keep chickens but I am puzzled why they are hung up. Can anyone tell me why?

[Kathy@watten]

The foxes are hung up so the farmers can tell how many foxes have been caught by the gamekeepers, also thought to ward off other foxes but think that is just wishfull thinking!

[Amowat]

Thanks Kathy. Just wondered because I saw three or four on the Shebster road today.

[horseman]

Surely hope you were no thinking of them as xmas deccies amowat.But I will question your thinking?

[Amowat]

No I didn`t think they were Xmas decorations, how strange? I thought it was a relevant question as you quite often see dead foxes hung up all round the County and at all times of the year.

[attielattie]

Originally Posted by horseman

Surely hope you were no thinking of them as xmas deccies amowat.But I will question your thinking?

Who rattled your cage??

Seriously, I have a 30' rowan tree outside the house and was thinking they would make superb Xmas decorations, if a tad smelly but, hey they'd be outside, no problem.
After all, how green is that - they're biodegradable, a veritable feast for the birdies and I'm sure that, once they've decomposed to a suitable level, I can find a use for the ground-up bones as fertiliser.
Now, where's my shotgun?????

(Before anyone else climbs onto their high horse, this is a joke, please no questioning of my thinking ability or lack thereof.)

[northener]

Has anyone noticed how crows are very reluctant to scavenge off dead foxes? Same applies to badgers, too.

[Amowat]

If I can add to the question, I notice in many cases the brushes are cut off. What happens to them?

[gunnlass]

You get 50 quid if you hand them (the Brush) to your local police station, don't know if this still stands but let us know if you try it.

[whaligoechiel]

it was 50 pence or 10 bob and its was stoped more than 30 years ago

[gunnlass]

Oh well worth a try the story must have got bigger as it got passed round, usual thing for here.

[Kathy@watten]

The tail/brushes are kept as a tally! used to hang them in the stable of hunt horses, a bit of a tale that was meant to keep your horse bold! Makes a nice keyring!

[stixie]

Everytime we hang one up someone steals the tail!!!
It does act as a slight deterrent. Helps a bit when the sheep are lambing i find.

[whaligoechiel]

Originally Posted by stixie

Everytime we hang one up someone steals the tail!!!
It does act as a slight deterrent. Helps a bit when the sheep are lambing i find.

Me thinks you are in make be believe land foxes do not go looking for fox tails that are hung up to defer other foxes
and in reality foxes only take lambs that are dead or very weak a strong mother will see off most foxes
I know this will goes against the grain of most farmers/crofters.
They will empty a hen house in one go if they have the chance and stash the goods in various places for future food
I have shot my share of foxes but people credit them with more credibility than they have

[stixie]

You got one thing right.

It does go against the grain of most farmers/crofters!

Oh and I just re-read your post. I did not say foxes go looking for other foxes tails that are hung up....but that someone (i.e. a human being) steals the tails everytime.

So i am not in make be believe land....whatever that is anway!!

[Mrs Bucket]

Originally Posted by whaligoechiel

Me thinks you are in make be believe land foxes do not go looking for fox tails that are hung up to defer other foxes
and in reality foxes only take lambs that are dead or very weak a strong mother will see off most foxes
I know this will goes against the grain of most farmers/crofters.
They will empty a hen house in one go if they have the chance and stash the goods in various places for future food
I have shot my share of foxes but people credit them with more credibility than they have

The ewe can only protect one lamb if she has two or more the fox by cunningly seperates one out FACT