Post by Lannie on Jul 31, 2008 14:02:27 GMT -5
I was sitting having my coffee this morning when I heard the guineas go off, very loudly and persistently, and I've learned to go check when that happens, so I bolted out the door to see what was going on.
They were out in the pasture, so I jogged over to the fence and I saw all three of them spread out in an arc, advancing on something (they were moving away from me). I slipped through the fence wire and started going after them, thinking maybe that blasted fox had come back, and sure enough, just about then he popped out from behind one of the plum trees along our east fence. He just STOOD there, watching me and the guineas, and the guineas, bless their brave little hearts, never broke stride. I fleetingly wondered where the heck the keets were and hoped I didn't step on any of them, but figured they were huddled down somewhere, so I kept going.
The fox feinted at the guineas a couple of times, just rushed forward a few steps and stopped, which caused the guineas to shriek louder (as if that were possible) and flap up in the air momentarily, but they kept on toward the fox. I finally passed the guineas and that fox let me get to within about 20 feet of him before he broke and ran back behind the treeline. Then I ran, so I could catch up and see where he went. He was still standing there, maybe 20 or 30 feet down the fenceline from where he'd been. I yelled, I clapped my hands, and he just stood there. So I started running at him and barking like a dog! THAT did it! He took off through the fence and across the ridge like his tail was on fire.
I followed the guineas back across the pasture, and pretty soon the mama started calling the babies and they answered her. They had been hiding in the unmowed part of the pasture, in the long grass, so they were safe. I didn't stop to count them, but I'm sure they were all there. I went in the house and got my .357 and went back out to see if the fox would return, but I haven't seen him again today. We have a shotgun, but I've never shot one of those, and frankly, I'm afraid of the recoil. It's an 18" coach gun, 12 gauge. So... Even though my .357 is a snubby and I can't hit the side of a barn beyond 20 or 30 yards, at least it makes a big noise and maybe will scare the fox enough that he'll find a different hunting ground. I'm going to start taking it out with me in the mornings from now on, as well as the dog.
I think the fox came back because for the last 3 days or so, I haven't been taking my dog Flash out with me for morning and evening rounds because I didn't want him to possibly chase or otherwise disturb the mamas and their babies, but now I guess he needs to come out anyway.
I wish I'd had a video camera this morning when those guineas were trying to run the fox off. You'd never believe how bold they were unless you've seen it yourself. It was hard for me to believe what I was seeing with my own eyes! LOL! They are brave birds, that's for sure!
~Lannie
They were out in the pasture, so I jogged over to the fence and I saw all three of them spread out in an arc, advancing on something (they were moving away from me). I slipped through the fence wire and started going after them, thinking maybe that blasted fox had come back, and sure enough, just about then he popped out from behind one of the plum trees along our east fence. He just STOOD there, watching me and the guineas, and the guineas, bless their brave little hearts, never broke stride. I fleetingly wondered where the heck the keets were and hoped I didn't step on any of them, but figured they were huddled down somewhere, so I kept going.
The fox feinted at the guineas a couple of times, just rushed forward a few steps and stopped, which caused the guineas to shriek louder (as if that were possible) and flap up in the air momentarily, but they kept on toward the fox. I finally passed the guineas and that fox let me get to within about 20 feet of him before he broke and ran back behind the treeline. Then I ran, so I could catch up and see where he went. He was still standing there, maybe 20 or 30 feet down the fenceline from where he'd been. I yelled, I clapped my hands, and he just stood there. So I started running at him and barking like a dog! THAT did it! He took off through the fence and across the ridge like his tail was on fire.
I followed the guineas back across the pasture, and pretty soon the mama started calling the babies and they answered her. They had been hiding in the unmowed part of the pasture, in the long grass, so they were safe. I didn't stop to count them, but I'm sure they were all there. I went in the house and got my .357 and went back out to see if the fox would return, but I haven't seen him again today. We have a shotgun, but I've never shot one of those, and frankly, I'm afraid of the recoil. It's an 18" coach gun, 12 gauge. So... Even though my .357 is a snubby and I can't hit the side of a barn beyond 20 or 30 yards, at least it makes a big noise and maybe will scare the fox enough that he'll find a different hunting ground. I'm going to start taking it out with me in the mornings from now on, as well as the dog.
I think the fox came back because for the last 3 days or so, I haven't been taking my dog Flash out with me for morning and evening rounds because I didn't want him to possibly chase or otherwise disturb the mamas and their babies, but now I guess he needs to come out anyway.
I wish I'd had a video camera this morning when those guineas were trying to run the fox off. You'd never believe how bold they were unless you've seen it yourself. It was hard for me to believe what I was seeing with my own eyes! LOL! They are brave birds, that's for sure!
~Lannie