Day one out with Andy

[John-B 4]

Well guys and girls, ferreting season has started, Met Andy at my house at 0715 loaded up van and got to permissions for about 0845, met first farmer as soon as we pulled up and after a little chat he says he wanted the river bank clearing and some rabbits from round his house, he also told us that he has had lads on getting 20's and 30's so not a good start, anyway walked round the farmhouse and no sign of any sets, walked down to the riverbank and Andy run the longnet round, ferrets in and out the holes but nobody home, Bouncer the dog in the meantime was being a pain in the arse not showing any signs of marking, not listening to anything I would tell him to do, running around like a elephant and generally pissing us off. Time to move on.

Walked up the steep bank to the next field and Bouncer buggered off, ran back down to the river bank about 500 yards away and ignoring me.

up to a few little buries and bouncer running around again not interested in the job in hand Grrrrr. crossed over to the next field which bouncer vaguely stuck his nose down and give a whimper so Andy run the longnet round and we waited, I had hold of the dog by the scruff of the neck as I left his lead in the van, 1 rabbit bolted and escaped under the net then the dog escaped from my grasp in pursuit and straight into the longnet, trashed it, snapped 1 of the hazels then carried on running, at this point I felt about 2 inches tall, angry, pissed off, sad, guilty, you name any negative feelings and I felt them.

The decision was made to take dog back to van where he will spend the rest of the day.

With dog back in the van met up again with Andy and moved onto the next farm, give farmer a knock and off we went, looked promising from the start with bunnies running about everywhere but instead of running away from us run the opposite direction into the safety of a small patch of woodland and long grass, we did however spot a few disappearing down holes which were swiftly and silently covered then bunnies were evacuated with the help of Andy’s ferrets, 2 in the bag.

Moved onto next field to another small set with another one in the bag, now 3 in total.

down to the bottom corner of the field onto a set which usually produces at least 4 or 5 but only 1 at home this time recovering from myxi, now 4 rabbits.

Moved down to the next field and did a few more sets the biggest set we netted up and left while the 2 horses trampled allover everything then went back with ferrets, ferrets down and working well bolted 3 from that set so we now had 7.

stood at one set having a chat and Andy mentioned if we have ever had any coloured or black rabbits on the land and I said no, we have never seen any, no more than 5 minutes later Andy said what are they sitting there and pointed in the direction of 2 black objects, indeed they were 2 black rabbits sitting out having a munch without a care in the world of us being there, slowly walked up to them, 1 went down it's little set and 1 cleared off through a wall and into another field.

Did a few more sets and lost a few rabbits through them rolling the nets (they are buggers for that up there and I don't know how they do it) never mind it happens. moved onto the little 5 holer where the black rabbit was ferret went down and after about 2 minutes the black bunny bolted straight into the net WooHoo, swiftly followed by another rabbit which jumped over Andy's boot which was covering the hole, kneecapped me then run to freedom up the hill, few minutes later another one rolls the net.

Had 8 rabbits at this point and decided to head back towards the van and do a few on the way if we come across any, netted up about a 9 or 10 holer bang bang bang bang another 1 hits the net and is dispatched followed by another one rolling the net and escaping, back to the van with 9 rabbits which were the heaviest and biggest rabbits I have ever come across.

Back to the van where rabbits were cleaned and a well earned cuppa was had decided to have a drive up to the next farm so I could show Andy the damage caused by rabbits on our new 100 acres and let bouncer have a pee, I think Andy was a bit overwhelmed by the size of the set and the damage caused and more so by the amount of rabbits sitting outside it without a care in the world, while leaning on the fence having a look we heard a rabbit squealing, thought nothing of it and walked back towards the van and Bouncer was going mad to get through the gate, let him through and was straight onto a stoats supper, he returned with another big healthy rabbit which was bleeding from where the stoat had hold of it, it was dispatched and added to the bag for a final total to end the day of 10 rabbits.

Literally dozens and dozens sitting out in the fields still within shooting range so they will be got with the air rifle at some point.

Could of finished the day with quite a few more had they not slipped the nets or escaped from bolt holes but it happens and they will be remembered the next time.

Andy's ferrets made easy work of the sets and worked really well and we managed to have a laugh and share a few stories as we are both ex Royal Navy lads

Hopefully Andy won't be put off and will be up for another run up the farm minus the dog and plus my ferrets to have a better day and a better start.

Didn't get many pictures as quite frankly I was still a bit peeved off

Bloody knackered now so it's time for a quick bath, chinese meal then bed.

 

I have the black rabbit in my hand on the picture.

 

[mnolan 0]

well done ..keep it up

[ferretville 69]

Sounds a interesting day lol shame about them rolling the nets . Was this the longnets john may be the bagging was`nt set seen it happen when the bagging been all at one side and rabbits just bounce of the long net. I`m out sunday first time in two weeks got a trapped nerve in me leg been walking like a cripple

[pencoed hunter 7]

well done mate

[John-B 4]

Sounds a interesting day lol shame about them rolling the nets . Was this the longnets john may be the bagging was`nt set seen it happen when the bagging been all at one side and rabbits just bounce of the long net. I`m out sunday first time in two weeks got a trapped nerve in me leg been walking like a cripple

 

 

No mate, 150% confident Andy knows what's he's doing with the longnet, they rolled the purse nets, some rabbits there don't bolt properly, they walk casually out the hole feel the net first then make the dash rather than just going for it 100mph LOL

[desi22007 3]

nice 1 mate

[theferreter 311]

well done mate happy hunting

[pigeon640 0]

nice read mate

 

sounds like a good day out tho

 

cheers colin

[andy s410c 61]

John we had a decent day out don't beat yasell up about the dog & longnet...nets & hazel can be replaced,the dogs ok is the main thing.It's the first time we've ferreted together so we don't know how each other works but we got there in the end .I'm used to ferreting alone so i'm set in my ways ie: asshole but hey,that's me .

 

Off out tomorrow to fix my bloody longnet....f n mutt ...

[John-B 4]

John we had a decent day out don't beat yasell up about the dog & longnet...nets & hazel can be replaced,the dogs ok is the main thing.It's the first time we've ferreted together so we don't know how each other works but we got there in the end .I'm used to ferreting alone so i'm set in my ways ie: asshole but hey,that's me .

 

Off out tomorrow to fix my bloody longnet....f n mutt ...

 

 

next time will be better, yeah we got there in the end and the bunnies started bolting around dinnertime.

 

If there's any cost involved in fixing the net let me know, i will happily pay up.

 

Bouncer is not my friend, he is sulking BIG time, won't go out, struggling to eat his food and staring me out, well he's got more bad news, he's retired LOL

[andy s410c 61]

John the nets fine just got to replace a 26" piece of free hazel...relax shipwreck

[Brimmer 220]

Nice one dude's. Get at the rascals again soon! Bouncer behave!

[stealthy1 3,964]

10's good going to say it your first time out this year John, it takes a couple of trips to get into the swing again

[col g 0]

well done on the black rabbit lad.its the first one any of us has had.leave bouncer at home next time john .he was not used to that longnet and probably decided to act himself more than usual because his patners in crime were not there.i cannot wait to get back on there now,if the rabbits are sitting out on the 100 acre bit we should get some more with the aid of toby.he will also come in handy if they are chucking the nets off.well done lads

[festa 206]

another good write up there is it me or are the write ups getting better ...for the 1st time out together you guys looked liked yous enjoyed it once you get the hang of each others ways im sure you will make a cracking team

 

we were going to go out today till we looked at the forecast last night we should of gone it was wrong again :wallbash:

 

atb gary