Fox in a tree

[Shewie]

Who would hang a dead fox in a tree, and why ?

Came across one on Sunday whilst out for a mooch with a pal. It had been hung in the lower branches and judging by the fluidity of the blood running out of its nose, I'd say it was probably from the previous day or night.

Was it just a farmer and he's slung it up there to keep it away from his livestock or is it somebody up to no good do we think ?

I did take some pics but nobody needs to see what a dead fox in a tree looks like

 

[Matt.S]

Any obvious signs of trauma or disease?

 

[Shewie]

Any obvious signs of trauma or disease?

Not really, not like shotgun trauma anyway. Could've been dogs I suppose but it looked to be in a tidy condition apart from the bloody nose.

Should be up that way again tomorrow so I'll take another look if it's still there.

 

[Cael Nu Mara]

Was it just a farmer and he's slung it up there to keep it away from his livestock or is it somebody up to no good do we think?

Could be coursers, but my guess would be someone who wants to show the keeper/farmer that he shot charlie. I tend to think that they get a bit of a raw deal most of the time, but that another cider debate if we shoot any fox we keep the brush as proof. But we leave them alone unless theres a rum deal for the folds. Too many folk gannin for em i rekon


Sam

 

[chickenofthewoods]

Gamekeepers gibbets hung with what were considered vermin once used to be commonplace in the countryside. Often along boundry fences but sometimes elsewhere, they were assumed to act as a deterrant, discouraging those unwanted creatures from entering the land that was being patrolled.

You don't mention where the tree was located but maybe what you've found is someone's idea of that.

 

[familne]

I've seen similar sights, once 7 eviscerated foxes hanging along a fence, also stoats and weasels, some kind of sick trophies I've always thought.

 

[The Cumbrian]

It used to be quite a common sight in the Lakes to see "vermin" hung on fences, but I haven't seen it for a while now. Probably scared the tourists away so they stopped.

Cheers, Michael.

 

[Klenchblaize]

The nearest I've come to this is leaving the brush fixed to a release pen with empty cartridge slipped over the severed bone. That was before I took up reloading and the Keeper would present me with a few boxes of .222 RWS every now and then.

Leaving any trace of culled wildlife is bad news in my book as is evidenced by this post.

Cheers

 

[tobes01]

Our shoot takes 70+ foxes each year - and since it's every year, that means it's a sustainable level. Around the boundaries the keeper often shoves the body down a disused rabbit hole, so the smell remains but there's no visible trace. No idea if that works - the 70+ foxes each year suggest it probably doesn't...

 

[BorderReiver]

Not foxes, rabbit carcasses round our woods; to stop dogs rolling on the rotting bodies I suppose. Always more in Myxi season.

Recently some twonk has taken to putting them in plastic bags before hanging them up.

 

[John Fenna]

I have seen dead beasties put above ground by someone who wanted to have the skeleton cleaned by birdies etc.
They figured that the beast would be pecked fairly clean but not lose small bones as the ligaments would not be taken .....dont know if it worked though!

 

[locum76]

If we catch a fox the brush goes on the fence around the chicken coups.

 

[cybertrix]

When a landowner employed a vermin controller or mole catcher they always used to hang up the bodies to show they were earning their wages. Still see it done with rabbits and squirrels from time to time.

 

[bashabuddy]

I saw a similar thing about 2 weeks ago with rabbits and moles?? Asked local farmer and was told that it used to be a traditional way of the game keeper and vermin controllers from showing their work off to the Lord of ther Manor...... dunno if this still is the case.

 

[FerlasDave]

It has been known for Lions and other big cats to do this. Any signs or reports of big cats over your way Shewie?

 

[red dreads]

Generally Crows killed here are hung on gates or fences,apparently to scare off or deter the live ones.

 

[SMOKOE]

BashaBuddy

This was the case on a farm I used to frequent about 20 - 25 years ago,magpies, jays squirrels were hung from the fence or gibbet as proof that the keeper was doing his job , it's very much taboo now though.

I've also seen dead rabbits, foxes etc hung in release pens to get fly blown, then the maggots drop for the birds to feed on. I wouldn't do it my self as the pens stink and you don't want to walk beneath on when feeding

As John said I've seen it done to strip the carcass to a skeleton.
Whatever floats your boat

 

[nevetsjc80]

your probably find it was a game keeper, the one around here does it. They are suposed to put them in a speciel pit or have them taken away but that costs so he just throws them over a hedge instead you d be suprised what illegal of that type i come across!

 

[EddBamber]

Fantastic mister fox has been caught, this is truly a great sorrow.
But seriously that is quite strange why would anyone even a farmer want to hang a fox up on a tree?

Edd

 

[Katanic]

1st post so howdy, We get foxes down our allotments every year an once killed we hang them on the fence, 1stly to let the neighboring allotment owners know there chickens are safe again, an secondly birds come an pick the fur for there nests which is great.