Clearing vegetation

[seany 54]

Hi Guys,I know each bury is different but in witch situations would you clear before and how long would you leave to settle and vise versa?

Thanks in advance Seany

[rosspti 2]

Hi Seany,

 

I would definately not do too much vegetation clearance on a ferreting day, unless you can guarantee silence. Obviously odd loose sticks and leaves can be quietly lifted aside from entrances to holes on the day, but if you need to cut bushes, scrub out the way then best to do it at least a week or so in advance.

 

And obviously check with the landowner, etc. before you put blade to anything - you just never know. Some livestock fields can have "dodgy" fencing and some farmers rely on scrub as a barrier to stock. You don't want to upset the landowner by making gaps for livestock to break out, or leave loose brambles trailing across fields that horses or sheep can get tangled up in. And a nice big blackthorn needle in a landrover tyre definately will not impress anyone!

 

Rabbits underground have nothing to do except listen out for predators scouting around above their burrows. You'd think a ferret up the backside would guarantee a rabbit bolting, but if they thing there's something big waiting for them outside they would much rather chance it with the ferret. Basically too much noise will result in rabbits finding deep corners to hide in underground, and ferrets will take much longer to root them out. Even then you may end up with a heap of underground kills and rabbits and ferrets that need digging up.

 

So, I would say do any clearance at least a week before. Then on the day set up in absolute silence and then bugger off and leave the whole warren quiet for 10 or 15 minutes before coming back and quietly slipping the ferrets in when the rabbits least expect it. You could use the time to net up another place.

 

Hope that helps..

[seany 54]

Excellent reply rosspti!Many thanks for the information.

Regards Seany

[Jamie m 668]

Yep seany a first class reply there from rosspt

[kevin from bristol 95]

bang on that post was fairplay to ya

[stealthy1 3,964]

I know a couple of lads who enter ferrets, that shoot rabbits as they bolt from warrens with shotguns, and they get plenty, I've also run a grasscutter towed by a tractor over nettles and thistles, and by the time I had cut half way round the field the rabbits are out again. I've also cut down brambles and undergrowth and ferreted the warrens straight away, with only a couple of digs. I have also cleared ground, left it two weeks and then gone back, and from my limited experience of clearing to ferret, I would advise you to enter the ferrets straight after you clear it, because some of the rabbits will move on if you leave it and go back later

[seany 54]

Thanks for the replys,The first bury Ill be working is an old pile of soil tipped in the corner of a field and its got a lite covering of nettles so I think im best just clearing round the holes while im netting up.Im going to have a bash in the first week in september.

Regards Seany

[stroller 341]

Im clearing a 100m stretch today of nettles and i will ferret it tomorrow, this is a clearance job, it borders a small wood that has been cleared and the brash burnt. when i went up to look at the job the whole area looked like scorched earth and still the rabbits where running around. im expecting a bit of digging but i will let you know how we get on

[The one 8,468]

If theres a lot of cover at the burrows is longnetting round it not a option?? If you clear it some of the rabbits might move out and if you leave it for a week somebody else might ferret it

[Ideation 8,216]

I know a couple of lads who enter ferrets, that shoot rabbits as they bolt from warrens with shotguns, and they get plenty, I've also run a grasscutter towed by a tractor over nettles and thistles, and by the time I had cut half way round the field the rabbits are out again. I've also cut down brambles and undergrowth and ferreted the warrens straight away, with only a couple of digs. I have also cleared ground, left it two weeks and then gone back, and from my limited experience of clearing to ferret, I would advise you to enter the ferrets straight after you clear it, because some of the rabbits will move on if you leave it and go back later

 

Spot on mate. Rabbits make their warrens under cover for a reason and if there are a lot of warrens in an area and you cut the cover over some and leave it for a few days they will often re-locate to a 'safer' covered warren. Also all rabbits are different in different places, i've had some refuse to bolt no matter what and other be chased to ground by dogs, and then immediatly bolted to shotguns and despite several bangs, they keep coming.

[IanB 0]

If I had some ferreting planned on awkwards sets, and they needed clearing.... I'd be using whatever methods availabe to clear the warrens, machete, chainsaw, etc , then I'd get some nice strong dog ferrets in and some red bull downed for plenty of digging, mind you a lot still bolt regardless...

If I want to cover an area quickly I prefer the longnet, shotgun and spade..

[Leeview 791]

If I had some ferreting planned on awkwards sets, and they needed clearing.... I'd be using whatever methods availabe to clear the warrens, machete, chainsaw, etc , then I'd get some nice strong dog ferrets in and some red bull downed for plenty of digging, mind you a lot still bolt regardless...

If I want to cover an area quickly I prefer the longnet, shotgun and spade..

Is the spade to hit the rabbits that are too close to shoot with the shotgun?

Y.I.S Leeview

[seany 54]

If I had some ferreting planned on awkwards sets, and they needed clearing.... I'd be using whatever methods availabe to clear the warrens, machete, chainsaw, etc , then I'd get some nice strong dog ferrets in and some red bull downed for plenty of digging, mind you a lot still bolt regardless...

If I want to cover an area quickly I prefer the longnet, shotgun and spade..

Is the spade to hit the rabbits that are too close to shoot with the shotgun?

Y.I.S Leeview

[rosspti 2]

Good point about Shotguns and also general machinery. I have shot hundreds of rabbits bolted to the shotgun, as have many people. I have also driven round a field in daylight and shot 200+ rabbits in a session. From my experience rabbits will keep bolting to the shot gun and it doesn't seem to put them off too much. Whereas if you're netting rabbits and make to much noise then they are far less likely to bolt well.

 

I have a feeling that rabbits do not associate bangs or vehicle noises with predators, and so they are not put off bolting by these noises. Whereas the sound of a people sneaking around at the entrances to their warrens makes them far more cautious. Similarly, you can drive up to a rabbit with a gun and shoot it from 20 yards without it moving - but if you open the door of the 4x4 and step out the rabbits will scarper.

[watchman 256]

I have a feeling that rabbits do not associate bangs or vehicle noises with predators, and so they are not put off bolting by these noises. Whereas the sound of a people sneaking around at the entrances to their warrens makes them far more cautious. Similarly, you can drive up to a rabbit with a gun and shoot it from 20 yards without it moving - but if you open the door of the 4x4 and step out the rabbits will scarper.

 

we drive a golf course at night ,lamp and shotgun,any yes very productive,if you try walking it you don't get half as many so same kind scenario really,so your right lol