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'Fox Shooting using the Whistle'by Tom Varney Now to a popular passion, shared by many hunters throughout Australia - Fox Whistling. Throughout Australia, as in other countries varies by means of the way foxes are hunted. As a youngster I always looked forward to weekends. Schoolwork all finished, it was now a time to play or hunt with your dad, as his work like my schooling, was also finished. So it was time for the bush. Those weekends mainly in the winter months found Dad and myself up early, also mum was up and about to prepare our cut lunches for the days outing; "Fox and Kangaroo Drives". In those days farmers were in many places inundated with both kangaroos and foxes, kangaroo's demolished their crops, and damaged their fences, while foxes devastated their newly born lambs, along with fowls, geese, ducks and a variety of other wildlife. To me it was not only great fun, there was a purpose in shooting, and a pleasure to try your skills to out smart those cunning red foxes, as they fled from the Beaters to the open paddocks, having been driven from their cover. Then followed the beaters, beater were those who walked, or rode on horse back. They had moved slowly through the thick scrub beating tins, yelling out and making as much nose as possible to drive the foxes, and the roo's out of their hiding habitat, giving the shooters a sporting chance to cull the destructive pests. After those years, we found ourselves using yet another method, it was the spotlight, this was a much easier way to cull those foxes and Roo's. This time both fox and Roo were actually out in the open, the kangaroos eating the crops, and the foxes not only killing the farmers lambs but also many other small animals, and birds, and other wild life to numerous to mention. In the spotlight the fox in general was easy prey for the shooter, his cunningness seemed to have been laid to rest, he was now so gullible to the hands of those hunting him. They were shot in large numbers. At times there was money to be made, their skins could be sold and there was also a bounty on their scalp. I enjoyed those years, at times it even seemed addictive. The spotlight was hardly out of my hand. Then came the challenge of them all, 'Fox Whistling' in the day time. This to me reveals the so called cunning fox as been stupid, and I am sure our last four fox whistling DVD's produced will bare witness to that comment. When Whistling Foxes through the day there are a large range of various predator calls to choose from, but in my day as a youngster, the fox whistle to lure them in, was usually made by dad, using a piece of his old tobacco tin bent into a U shape, and a nail hole punched through the tin close to the bend, this created a squeal as you blew into it that catches the foxes attention, having the fox to respond to the squeal, where he runs out into the open looking for an easy meal. He expects to find a Rabbit, or similar animal in distress, maybe either caught by another predator or, as was common in years gone by, the Rabbit would be caught in a rabbit trap that had been set by the local rabbit trapper. So any lure at all that sounds like an animal in distress will usually bring foxes running to your feet. Another common Whistle used what we call the button whistle, still available in most gun shops, this whistle has been around for many many years. I used one of them for 40 years. Today I use a modern replica of the old one my Dad and many others have made. This whistle is demonstrated in all of our fox whistling DVD's. In the DVD 'Fox Whistling' you will see on one occasion, without me moving from the one spot, I manage to whistle in 8 foxes, they came from near and far. You will see over 55 foxes called up on this 60 minute action packed daytime and spotlighting adventure. The next DVD still available is 'Fox Frenzy' Volume One, it is also a 60 minute action packed DVD. You will see my son Thomas, myself and friends all involved to produce this fox whistling DVD. Over 50 foxes whistled up. All shot with 223 Calibre rifles along with shotgun. This DVD also features spotlighting highlights. Then we have 'Fox Frenzy' Volume two, still available. Also now on DVD. This DVD is as Thomas says, 'You can set yourself for this most informative, and action packed fox whistling DVD'. Thomas demonstrates how to find the best position to whistle foxes right to your feet. A common problem we have some times is to stop the fox from running upon you. You will see Thomas as he displays skilfully his ability to shoot foxes on the run using his 223 Calibre Rifle- incredible Footage.
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