Hunting Tactics Red Fox

*Introduction*

When you see an orange spot sneak through tall grass or underwood, you might be spotting a Red Fox. This sneaky small animal a very aware of its surroundings and not easy to track down, which increases your satisfaction when finding a big dog. Some fur variations like the Cross or Gray add a bit to the challenge, because these can hardly be seen anymore as opposed to their Common peers. If you are lucky you might spot and even kill a rare albino or melanistic. You don't see very many of these apparently super rare animals reported in the public communities such as the game forum.

*Spawning*

Several foxes can spawn in the same area, however there is no group behavior. All foxes roam the areas on their own.

*Clothing*

The red fox has a very good eyesight and will detect slightest movements from far. Consider using the Sneaky 3D camo clothes for the area you are in to reduce your visibility. Val-des-Bois requires the  summer camo version. Hirschfelden requires the  fall camo version. Hemmeldal requires the  winter camo version. Sneaky 3D camo clothes provide no scent or sound reduction though. Foxes also have very good senses for smelling and hearing. Consider additional protection such as  Face Paint or a  Ghillie Suit, but remember the loudness of this suit and reduce your movements to a minimum.

*Scent Eliminator and Wind Indicator*

This species has a sense of smell and will detect players around them. Especially when upwind, you will see close-by animals stick their nose into the wind, then run away. The  Scent Eliminator works against all animals with a sense of smell. Apply it when you want to get close to the animal of your choice. Also, make sure to pay attention to the wind direction by observing objects tossed around or by using  Wind Indicator. Use it and follow the smoke with your eyes to see in which direction it is blown. As a general rule of thumb, the wind will blow towards the North-East on all maps. If you are not sure about the wind conditions, apply the  Scent Eliminator just in case. It doesn't hurt to use it once too often if you want to be on the safe side and not regularly spook animals by your smell.

*Searching*

The score of the red fox is the weight. Carefully follow tracks of heavy males. Glass ahead often when the Huntermate tells you that you have come close. The bright fur of the Common variant can be seen quite well. Many times when you come in reach you will get a call from the fox. Even if you walk or run into fleeing tracks, when the estimation predicts a high weight, take the time to stalk that fox.

*Luring*

Use the  Predator "Jackrabbit" Caller to lure the fox to you. Many times foxes do not come in a straight line to your call. Move backwards and lay down so they cannot detect you. It can take a very long time until the fox arrives. Sometimes it even calls before it gets to the calling position. Do not change your plan in that moment. Keep waiting, it will come. It can trot or walk to the call. When it arrives, it circles the spot you called from. In that process the fox can come closer to you than you expected before returning to where it is supposed to end up. Make sure to back up at least 30-35m if you can. If you keep this distance, you can also maneuver with your weapons and also get up from a prone position for a  bow shot without being detected. Once you are up, don't waste too much time for the shot. Don't rush the shot, but be quick. It can take some practice until you have a good feeling for what is a safe distance for staying undetected while still being able to place a deadly shot.

*Field Judging*

It is possible to tell large foxes from small ones, but not easy. Behave as if every single fox you find might be a trophy. Even females can get high scores as they are not much lighter than males.

*Shooting the animal*

The shot must be well prepared. Search a good place where you can stay undetected. Avoid hasty shots. A good  spotting skill  will support you picking the right animal if there are severals. Wait until the animal of your choice has come close enough for a good shot, or until you can safely hit a vital from the side. It is not always possible to set up an ambush, or to move away on time. Stay alert for other animals (e.g. from a group) that might have come very close to your lure, and make sure to go for a shot before one of these could spook and flush everything around them.

*If the animal flees*

If you spook the animal of your desire, follow the tracks crouching. Use your optics and try to spot it, and also look for tracks or vocal signs. Do not go too fast. The animal can stop fleeing abruptly and return to roaming, and the roaming can be in any direction including coming right back at you. If you end up bumping into the animal it will flee again. Take your time. If the animal is worth it, a few more minutes will pay off.

A spooked fox is even more aware of you than it was already when in calm state. Immediately following all tracks will usually result in the red fox run again, and you will only find alternating fleeing and roaming tracks, but never the animal. After a few fleeing tracks, wait and spot. Again the bright orange color of the Common variant might give away its position. When you have a small circle on the Huntermate, you have likely come too close already and the fox will be gone. The safest method for winning this game is to wait a while, then slowly follow and hope for a call from it. You can then know it has calmed down again and can be lured back to you.

### Quick Start Locations

Start at the following lodge(s) for quickly finding this species.

 Kopparstorp
 Drängstorp
 Maison du Néant
 Copper Hills