Why a shotgun for kitty’s and fox? I’ve never called in a fox, but several bobs. Mine all hang up on the edge of cover just sitting, looking around like it’s a Sunday after a church social. 17 Rem works nicely for me. The AR platform for varmitting has come along way from the days of hate by hunters and former gun celebrities like Zumbo. 😎
Bobcats are typically in thicker cover and shots are less that 75 yards. Nothing is better than a shotgun for this. Foxes are easy to kill and come in close as well. It's a lot easier to hit a running fox with a load of #2s than with a 20 grain bullet from a 17. Also, the 17 is pretty anemic should something bigger like a coyote or lion come in.
I typically take two guns to a stand, a shotgun and a rifle. I have the shotgun ready and the rifle on a bipod or shooting sticks for the coyote that hangs up at 200.
