Night time is the right time

Lamping has come under greater scrutiny than ever before but undertaken with proper care it is an exceptionally safe and effective means of pest control. And for BASC’s northern regional officer STEVE WOODHALL it represents the best of shooting sports. Here he begins a two-part guide to lamping, starting with basics.

For some people the cream of shooting is high pheasant on a November gale, for others a goose on ice-bound saltings, or a steady stream of pigeons in the springtime sun. But for me the sport of choice is definitely lamping for foxes.

Possibly as a result of my days as a keeper I can safely say that given the choice between shooting driven game or lamping foxes, the foxes will win every time.

The skills required to become successful are just as demanding as those needed for all other forms of shooting and a successful lamper is somebody who takes the time to get the basics right. Here I hope to offer a guide to the things that I find are key to success.

First find your fox

Obviously the first requirement is to have the quarry to pursue. Talk to local keepers. Offer your services to them. If you are a safe and competent in shot your skills will be in demand. If they need a hand, tell them that you are always available, and for goodness sake if a keeper rings and asks you to go out, go! You’ll only get the chance to let them down once.

The tools of the trade

Obviously you are going to require a reliable rifle. I would strongly suggest a centre fire and my preferred choice is .243, although I readily accept that other people prefer different calibres and I am not saying that .243 is the steadfast rule. I just feel confident using that calibre.

The rifle should be accurately zeroed. I zero mine to fire 25mm high at 100 metres, so that I feel comfortable if I have to take a longer shot.

Bullet weight is again down to personal preference but I would suggest that anything between 60 grains and 90 grains, purely for foxes, is going to do the job. The job of course is an instant kill. I shoot 90 grain because it means that if I use my .243 for roe stalking I do not have to continually re-zero.

I have swivel mounted bipod legs fitted to the rifle and a serviceable sling.

The real crux to compliment the outfit is the choice of scope. My advice would always be to buy the finest quality optics that you can afford, along with the finest mounts and rings. I match a fixed power 6x42 Scmidt & Bender scope to my rifle.

A good quality lamp that works from both battery and cigarette lighter is crucial. Again I would strongly suggest that you buy the best that you can afford. Power is down to personal choice once again and I use a lamp of 800,000-candle power. A set of coloured lenses is also worth investing in, particularly for use on ‘lamp shy’ foxes.

Commercial made fox calls are readily available nowadays. I make my own from hazel and videotape film (instructions in the January edition) and find them to be extremely effective, particularly on foxes that have never heard them before.

There are many other items that you should carry with you or in your vehicle and these shown below but the thing to do is make sure that you are safe and comfortable at all times.

Knowing the lie of the land

The first priority is always safety. Before going out lamping always thoroughly check out the land you are going to shoot on during daylight hours. Familiarise yourself with it and look for any obvious signs of activity. Make sure that you know where safe shots can be taken and more importantly where it would be advisable not to take a shot.

Provide yourself with reference points and mark them on your map. The more work you do now, the less you will have to contend with on the night. Make sure that you talk to the keeper or the owner of the land who has given you their permission. Establish understandings with them about your activity. Find out where they have seen foxes and their direction of travel. Establish where you can go and where not. There may be areas that they do not wish you to take a vehicle. Get the ground rules right now and save any embarrassing situations in the future.

This is an ideal opportunity to show them your firearms certificate and insurance cover. Do not go lamping unless you are adequately covered - BASC membership will provide all the insurance you need.

Foxes tend to be what I refer to as ‘adaptable creatures of habit’. They will always take the easiest choice if it is safe to do so. An undisturbed fox that has used the same trod for months on end without disturbance will continue to do so until they are disturbed. Foxes are always aware of their surroundings. They will be aware of something new in their environment – particularly if it’s man-made – and they will also notice if something familiar is missing.

Do your homework

Successful lamping is about researching your quarry and its habitat. Do your homework and it will pay dividends. Robert Bucknall produced a superb book called Foxing with Lamp and Rifle, you would have to look no further to find a definitive guide to the sport and I highly recommend buying a copy from BASC Bookshop.

Setting out

So we have got all our gear, we’ve got our ground and done our homework. What are the key factors to consider prior to going out?

The Three Golden Rules

1. Never shoot at eyes alone - always recognise the body.
2. Be certain of a safe backstop behind your target
3. If in doubt - DON'T SHOOT

Tell the landowner

Obviously inform the landowner or keeper that you are going out that night. Tell them what time you will be there from and to and at which location. Tell them how many people will be there and what vehicles are being used if any. Make sure that you have their contact details with you and likewise they have your mobile phone number.

Tell the police

Give the same information to the local Police and ask for the log entry number. This can save a huge amount of unnecessary delay should they be called out to investigate a call from the public. I would also encourage the keeper or landowner to notify any tenants that you will be working in the area that evening.

Carry your paperwork

Always carry your firearms certificate and insurance cover with you along with written permission from the landowner. If the land is additional to any stated on your firearms certificate then please ensure that you have informed the police well in advance and provided a copy of your written permission.

Report back

After you have been out, hopefully successfully, let the keeper or landowner know what you have done and seen. Report all activity and sightings of note and let them know if you were successful, where and at what time. They will appreciate this information and it demonstrates to them that you are a reliable and conscientious lamper.

BASC produces a code of practice for lamping and I would recommend that you familiarise yourself with it. To get a free copy send an sae to Night Shooting Code of Practice, BASC, Marford Mill, Rossett, Wrexham L12 0HL.

Get your eye in

I also practise in all light conditions and will simulate lamping using paper fox targets attached to boarding that is cut to their shape.

As with other forms of shooting practice is important because with practice comes the confidence in your abilities and your equipment. You become familiar with the tools of your trade.

The free BASC Lamping Code of Practice is essential reading. For further information on suitable rifles and ammunition, the law, or any other questions, you can contact the firearms team on 01244 573010 or the game and wildlife management team on 01244 573019.