Thread: A mystery - need advice/suggestions

Originally Posted by Wood Borer

I met the culprit last Friday morning.

It was about 5:30AM and I was bleary eyed making my breakfast when I noticed a young fox on the decking. I sneaked up to the door and suddenly opened the door and shouted. The fox looked up at me but made no attempt to run off.

It was only about 10 feet from me so I picked up some stones and hurled them at it. The fox ran off behind some bushes and then slowly approached me again. More stones several times with the same reaction. It came up to me within six feet of me.

Was I dreaming? My experience with foxes is that they disappear at the first sign of movement or noise but not this little beggar. I gave up shaking my head in disbelief and made my cup of coffee.

Here I was sitting on the decking drinking my coffee and having a smoke with the fox sitting within 15 feet of me just staring at me. I pretended it wasn't there. Eventually it wandered off after being swooped by the maggies.

I mentioned the incident to our local Wild Dog officer tonight, he was most surprised at the fox's behaviour but put it down to the fox being a juvenile and having no fear of us humans.

At least we know who the culprit is - a young brazen fox.

Thanks for your suggestions and help in this perplexing matter.

The fox is in love with you. Finally met the owner of those heavenly smelling boots. He's just working out how to cart you off to his den.

Nice one Tea Lady


Glad the mystery is solved Rob, but as is usual, one mystery is solved and another one presents itself.

Why on earth would a fox be so unconcerned about you? I hesitate to totally believe the 'juvenile fox' explanation. If that were the case, wouldn't we be surrounded by lots of other 'juveniles' when in the bush?

It does, however, make me wonder if it were once a pet?? Or maybe it's as Tea Lady suggested, that it is used to your presence.

Hmmm......

cheers
Wendy

Perhaps it hasn't been shot at yet so it has no need to fear humans

John, as has been mentioned, they are imported vermin who attack our wildlife. Our flora and fauna evolved without consideration of creatures like cats, rabbits and foxes.

They have no or very little predators and they have abilities to kill our wildlife where our creatures have no defence.

Perhaps if we lived in the UK we could make it a pet but here it is not possible. I think you could be fined for encouraging foxes here.

And then there is Tea Lady suggesting a foxy female might be in love with me - I am a happily married bloke.

Originally Posted by tea lady

Finally met the owner of those heavenly smelling boots.

Seen as foxes have a habit of rolling around in their own urine to improve their scent ....I can only image that those boots of your may not smell entirely heavenly!

Is that the reason they live outside?

Heavenly to a fox!!
Just wanted to alert you to her (his?) true intentions. You don't have to accept every foxy advance you know. Or is that against some sort of male lore?

Originally Posted by Bleedin Thumb

Seen as foxes have a habit of rolling around in their own urine to improve their scent ....I can only image that those boots of your may not smell entirely heavenly!

Is that the reason they live outside?

BT,

I think it was who came up with a suggestion of how make new boots fit a bit better - urinate in them

I want it put on record that these boots fitted nicely from day one and I had no need nor desire to take such drastic action with these boots.

I also would like it put on record that the saying us blokes use "splash the boots" is only a saying when it concerns me.

But yes the boots can get a bit on the nose after sweating in them all day so perhaps that is why the fox finds them so attractive.

Originally Posted by tea lady

You don't have to accept every foxy advance you know. Or is that against some sort of male lore?

Tea Lady,

I have not been physically distracted in my 30 years of marriage - some might think I am straight laced and old fashioned, good for them, I am more than happy with my Meg.

Oh dear!! Sorry if I caused offense. I'm sure the fox only loves you for your mind.

Any way, so what you gonna do? Put the boots in a cupboard? Call the zoo?

Rob,

Are there any gnomes in your garden? I wouldn't think it could've been the Stuff-up Fairies as I'm sure it's been a long time since you last saw them.

Originally Posted by tea lady

Oh dear!! Sorry if I caused offense. I'm sure the fox only loves you for your mind.

Any way, so what you gonna do? Put the boots in a cupboard? Call the zoo?

No offence taken, the key word was "physical" .

We'll leave our boots inside just before we go to bed. I think my little fox is likely to meet his maker at the hands of a farmer or hunter. There are wild dog problems in the area with people who have stock.

Chris,

The only gnome in our garden is me!!

Originally Posted by Wood Borer

Chris,

The only gnome in our garden is me!!

Boom, boom.

Maybe the fox was not bothered by your presence because it was already familiar with your scent (foot odour?)?

prozac

I agree...you have a cat burgler...cats love hopping in boots...haven't you heard of "Pussy in Boots" they literally try to hop in them....there is definitely an odour those kitty cats like about our feet...
set a mouse trap in one...or spray with a little vinigar..keep us posted...Catching....story...

Like idea about the talcum powder.....a real sleuth....detective at work....start detecting...!!!!
Cheers

Recently a friend here in the valley had a BBQ and a fox appeared; it came to within 10 feet of the bloke doing the 'cooking' and sat down, apparently waiting for a handout!

The one I ran over in the cruiser the other night looked pretty scared.. but only for a second. After that it just looked...squashed.