lamping and ferreting course

[sh 08 17]

We met up at the farm at 8 am by the holiday cottages good firm hand shake off the dad and all the introducing began. They had a lovely pair of dogs, a Bedlington whippet and a pure Bedlington, We set off to meet a game keeper friend of mine so he could show us a few pheasant pens where the rabbits had realy mad themselves at home, I think the smallest warren was around 30 holes. Before I netted up I answered a few questions, i would do the first one and the family could join in on the second. That was the plan bit it didnt quite go like that, Richard (the dad) was very hands on which is a good thing in some respects. He started netting up above me so I jumped the fence to net the field holes. We were all set to enter (George) my silver hob and the family watched with baited breath. Within a few moments a rabbit bolted from a hole the dad had missed. Never mind I explained this happens sometimes, then out popped another rabbit from a hole I missed. I was almost kicking myself, Im supposed to know what Im doing and I missed a hole. We picked up the nets and moved to the next warren which held nothing apart from two big brown rats

The last warren we done wasnt so big around 15 holes, we All netted up entered George (the ferret) and stood back, at first nothing was happening and I thought we were going to draw a blank. All of a sudden a rabbit shot out and was tight in the net with George almost on its rear end. The first ever rabbit that the Cravens had seen ferreted and they were all over the moon. Within seconds another bolted up the top of the bank, I managed to get to that one in time. The family were very happy and the dogs done well although they wanted to eat the ferret and the rabbits they were real gems. We packed up all the nets and went home for a bite to eat and a rest before the night of lamping.

8pm and we met at the cottages again, this time we had to go in a farm where the rabbits were causing havoc in a few fields. We got into the first field and it should be the moles not the rabbits he wants to worry about. The next field was more productive a rabbit was sat right in the middle of the field, perfect for the Cravens to see the first run on the lamp. Mollie (my lurcher) ran fantastic caught the first of the night and a text book retrieve live back to hand. The cravens were delighted, the next rabbit in the same field managed to escape on to the train line. We walked through an orchard and the rabbits were running everywhere, I explained of the dangers of slipping a dog in an orchard. As we got to the next grass field there were around twenty rabbits sat out, I chose the intended rabbit and slipped Mollie, the rabbit decided to run the full length of the field she caught it right by the hedge with another good retrieve. After the rabbit was dispatched I flicked the lamp on about 50 meters away another rabbit was sitting out. She was off with a few twists and turns she caught it and again strait live back to hand. She had two more long runs in this field which she caught one. The last field we went into held around 40 rabbit but they were right over the other side there were a few closer ones so Mollie was slipped a real long run again with her turning the rabbit from the hedge and a good retrieve. We ended the night with 5 rabbits. Who said never work with children and animals, it was an absolute pleasure and I cant wait for the next weekend. On the 20th march, a weekend of ratting

A big thank you to the Craven family for being such a polite and easy going family.

Edited March 7, 2010 by sh 08

[sh 08 17]

here are some more, nice to see some ladys getting involved

[kill um with crisps 7]

Great stuff mate! Saw your article in the countrymans the other week. Pleased for you!

[sh 08 17]

Thanks they just wanted to learn how to do things not to beat the world record for the most rabbits lol. they realy enjoyed it. its taken me ages to write that lol. thanks for all your support

[tb25 4,627]

WHEN WILL U HAVE A WEB SITE UP MATE

[sh 08 17]

very very soon within the next few days

Edited March 7, 2010 by sh 08

[tb25 4,627]

THANKS MATE ATB WITH IT AGAIN

[littlefish 587]

Well done. It looks like they had a good time.

[sh 08 17]

yeh they did mate, they cant wait to go again

[Hollie 21]

I think it is a brilliant idea, keep us updated on when the website is up

[4x4hunter 0]

well done mate

[sh 08 17]

Thanks all for the support

[sh 08 17]

This is the young lad who enjoyed hiself last night

[Johnny Vegas 1 1]

great stuff mate hoping to bring my nephew up for a weekend begining of next season,how do i find out what dates you have left open.Also can he run his lurcher he is stock broke looks like fun atb steve.

[wuyang 513]