1st day out this season

[dillan 19]

Normally I leave the ferreting alone for as long as possible to ensure there are fewer young rabbits about, which invariably lead to lay-ups. However a desperate plea from my nephew (Gavin) found me on my first day out of the season. After all he did say there was a hundred running about on his permission. So up at dawn getting my gear ready I set off for the hour journey to his permission. I must admit I was a little apprehensive as there was a good breeze blowing when I got there, experience has taught me few rabbits like bolting in these conditions, but I was there now so suck it and see, after all there were a hundred to be had. On surveying the land it was obvious there were plenty of signs they were there, not only piles of droppings and fresh digs but there was a few sat out. Now this layout was over two rough fields of which was separated by lines of oak trees and the odd bushes, so we had three areas to work. We set about laying nearly 200 purse nets along the tree lines with relative ease as the farmer had been busy cleaning up the hedges and brambles. The general idea was if any rabbits were to slip the net, then there’s a good possibility they would be back netted. After a fag break and a welcoming drink we collared up the ferrets, a total of 5. With boxes shouldered a spade in one hand and slasher in the other we made our way to the first two holer. Gavin lifted the net and slipped his silver jill in. She nosed about the entrance and shook herself down and entered into the darkness. After a few minutes it was clear she had found as Gavin indicated tapping his left palm with his right fist. On that note I left him to it as I approached the next warren, an eight holer I approached carefully and slipped a yearling ferret in and waited in anticipation. On turning round I saw Gavin rushing the net to collect his prize, a perfectly pursed rabbit. His ferret showed and did a quick u turn into the depths, a sure sign another was in there. Gavin quickly dispatched the rabbit and put another net on the entrance to the hole. Whilst he was legging it another bolted at speed again he moved in a stealthily fashion to pick up his catch. Meanwhile I wasn’t doing too well with my warren as the ferret showed itself on numerous occasions meeting the net with what seemed to be puzzled expression on her face. Perhaps the rabbits are running rings round her so I slipped another one in for good measure. Ten minutes later it was clear there was nothing in there as they came to the nets time and time again. So onward and forward we worked the line of trees and started to get the odd one. I was just making a whispered comment to Gavin that it is a good sign when rabbits hit the nets at speed when one did just that, unfortunately the net did not purse and it made its way across the field, sitting comfortably I wasn’t perturbed as I was sure it would back net, well I spoke too soon as we watched it disappearing pass the pre set nets into the distance at break neck speed, `cant win them all` I whispered with palms up and a shoulder shrug. On the last warren of that tree line, no sooner had I put the ferret in and two rabbits shot out the same hole at speed, one perfectly pursed and the second followed with no net to catch him as he made his bid for freedom, though not for long as Gavin sprinted the field like Linford Christie to pick him up in one of the pre set nets on the next row of trees. We dropped a ferret in a one holer in the centre of the field, not that I was expecting anything as they normally use these as play holes or for emergencies. To prove me wrong, one did bolt but alas it was not in the net it, came from a bolt hole about ten foot away, dam it a bolt hole the size of a mouse hole. Its bid for freedom was short lived however as it again was back netted. The next row of trees yielded a few more for the bag. Whilst waiting for action, at the corner of my eye I spied a dark movement, a closer inspection revealed a hedgehog coming out of the long grass, it paused for a moment whilst I took a photo of its best side, after his posing he ambled off across the field. The third row of trees produced a few more to the tally including two black ones, one was caught by chance as I spotted him just sat there in the undergrowth, I ran to push him back in but he couldn’t go any where as his foot was tangled in a net. First black one of the season, no sooner had I reset the net three foot away another regular this time bolted, with boot over the hole as I was dispatching it I let out an almighty scream as another black rabbit slipped pass my size ten and run up my leg and made his bid for freedom he again slipped passed a net further down which we had just ferreted. Gavin prompted me to go back to the warren and ferret it again, but I declined as in my books if it can evade you twice then it deserves its freedom till another day. The next warren needed a dig of a two foot as indicated by the mark 3 box, sure as eggs is eggs Gavin pulled out a dead rabbit although he was a little nervous in case he was bitten. The last large warren of the day warranted the use of all the ferrets as it was clear the rabbits were running round in circles, I gathered that as I could feel the thumping under my feet about ten foot out into the field, although the box didn’t pick any ferrets up in the vicinity I guessed they were thumping their feet as a warning to their colleagues. I cast my mind back to last season as the very same spot needed a dig, three foot to be exact, funny really as a younger naïve Gavin at full stretch manhandled out a rabbit with a satisfying smile on his face, I indicated there was another three backed up in there, sure enough after he pulled out the fourth he was amazed how I knew, with I wry smile I showed him the disco lights flashing on the ferret finder I tapped the box as I explained not only the box tells me where the ferrets are but they also tell me how many rabbits are in there. His face said it all really as he walked away in disbelief shaking his head and stopping occasionally to give me a side ways glance, seemingly questioning himself about my comment as I tried to keep a straight honest face as I back filled the hole. Any way I was snapped out of this reminiscing as another rabbit bolted and squealed, another black rabbit. At this point we decided to call it a day as the ferrets were in and out and were hunting above ground more than below it. We boxed the ferrets and set about lifting the nets which seemed to take for eternity. Would you believe that the very last net which was drawn into the tunnel revealed my old friend, the hedgehog. After several attempts between me and Gav we sacrificed the net and cut it off. Once again he ambled off to find somewhere comfortable to sleep out the winter.

A count up revealed 18 healthy rabbits and we agreed we lost 3, not quite the hundred as Gavin predicted but a healthy bag any way. Not a bad day all said and done, the wind did calm down a little as the day progressed, the rain held off and we only saw one very young rabbit which felt it wise to stay above ground after it was bolted.

A most enjoyable day out and one very happy farmer as we dropped a brace off for him. We’ll give it another go in a couple of months as we’ve got other areas to cover, after all by Gavin’s reckoning there is another 82 some where. Hey Gav.

 

 

[The one 8,473]

Nice write up mate

[Leeview 791]

Did nt want to get your new long net poles dirty then? sounds like an ideal place to of used them

Y.I.S Leeview

[GLICK 0]

sounds like yous had a good day out

[stealthy1 3,964]

Nice session Dillan

[dillan 19]

Did nt want to get your new long net poles dirty then? sounds like an ideal place to of used them

Y.I.S Leeview

 

 

To be honest I hav`nt got round to attaching them to my nets yet, although I must admit I would prefer to use purse nets if all the holes are easily accessible. I get frustrated when I see rabbits bolt and nip into the next hole rather than run into the long net, each time I think to myself I would have had that if there was a purse net on.Maybe its because theyve seen me or the long net is set too close and think better of it and just nip in the next hole. I tend to use long nets in bad places where I cant or its to much hastle to get in. Never had the opportunity for a good place to set long nets and walk up the field to net them on a night.

 

Dillan

[jonnytraff 8]

nice post mate and a good day out by the sounds of it. atb jon

[Leeview 791]

Did nt want to get your new long net poles dirty then? sounds like an ideal place to of used them

Y.I.S Leeview

 

 

To be honest I hav`nt got round to attaching them to my nets yet, although I must admit I would prefer to use purse nets if all the holes are easily accessible. I get frustrated when I see rabbits bolt and nip into the next hole rather than run into the long net, each time I think to myself I would have had that if there was a purse net on.Maybe its because theyve seen me or the long net is set too close and think better of it and just nip in the next hole. I tend to use long nets in bad places where I cant or its to much hastle to get in. Never had the opportunity for a good place to set long nets and walk up the field to net them on a night.

 

Dillan

The way I see it is you set "nearly 200 nets" now at 30 seconds a net thats close on an hour for the pair of you an hour of disturbance to the rabbits listening and scenting 2 of you, run your long nets out what 10minutes? and get the ferrets in 45 minutes earlier

Y.I.S Leeview

[runforyourlife 361]

Did nt want to get your new long net poles dirty then? sounds like an ideal place to of used them

Y.I.S Leeview

 

 

To be honest I hav`nt got round to attaching them to my nets yet, although I must admit I would prefer to use purse nets if all the holes are easily accessible. I get frustrated when I see rabbits bolt and nip into the next hole rather than run into the long net, each time I think to myself I would have had that if there was a purse net on.Maybe its because theyve seen me or the long net is set too close and think better of it and just nip in the next hole. I tend to use long nets in bad places where I cant or its to much hastle to get in. Never had the opportunity for a good place to set long nets and walk up the field to net them on a night.

 

Dillan

The way I see it is you set "nearly 200 nets" now at 30 seconds a net thats close on an hour for the pair of you an hour of disturbance to the rabbits listening and scenting 2 of you, run your long nets out what 10minutes? and get the ferrets in 45 minutes earlier

Y.I.S Leeview

 

 

But dont forget, "your the man, leeview" we will do it your way... and he might have wanted to kill abit of time...whats the rush, you only live once, enjoy it... :

[Leeview 791]

Thats the trouble Chalkwarren Youth and enthusiasm are easily overcome by age and experience

Y.I.S Leeview

[runforyourlife 361]

Thats the trouble Chalkwarren Youth and enthusiasm are easily overcome by age and experience

Y.I.S Leeview

 

 

not much good about being old, just means your closer to the daisys....

[Moe 108]

good account of a good day ,well done.

[earthdogrunningdog1986 0]

Well done I bet it was good to get out atb

[farmerkev09 105]

good write up buddy

[shotgunandy 2]

good write up mate and a good read. well done pal

atb

andy