A Mild Octobers Excursion

[artic 595]

With the lamps charged and dogs at the ready, it was time to set off into the night. Well almost, see it's hard for me to leave a roaring fire, and even harder it seems for the dogs who lay on the rug still as can be, with the odd twitch in their bodies, dreaming maybe or just a sign of bloody too much comfort.

 

I await for my friend Joe to arrive with his collie/Greyhound called Snowie. Shes a fine bitch, nippy and steady as can be. I like her style of running, which is very low to the ground, a young dog and doing really well.

 

Fresh coffee in the perculator, I sit on my stool adding a few more logs and chumks of coal to the fire. I check my lamp is in order, and replace new batteries to my head torch. Spare bulb, check, lamp, check, game bag, check, first aid box, check, skinning knife, bottle of water to wash hands with, check, dustbin liners, check, toilet paper, check. How many do not bring toilet paper with you? You just never know when you need to go!

 

Joe arrives, and quick cuppa, the excitement building as always. "Lets head out there Joe" If there is one way of getting your dogs away from a roaring fire, flick your lamp on! They soon jump up and give your full attention.

 

Dogs all in, and off we set to our first destination. I haven't been here for at least 8 months. I was told by the second in command that there are a fair few around. Earlier on in the day I took a drive there to see for any dangers that may be lurking around, this was all ok, and the sheep had been moved to the paddock near the poultry pens which was a shame as this area I know can hold a fair few rabbits. I had clear instructions to not lamp in that area. Oh well......

 

The night was pitch black with very little wind. We set out and it wasn't too long before we saw our first few rabbits feeding. Snowie had already spotted the rabbit and was slipped. Down the beam she goes, rabbit breaks away, snowie changes her gear and powers on putting a turn in, but this rabbit was lucky and made it to the hedge and home. Lamp off and straight back she comes. I scan across the same field, and there 40yrds or so from cover another rabbit sitting. It was my Deerhound cross to entertain us. I slowly move into position, trying to obstruct the rabbits run. I can feel my dogs heartbeat thumping against my leg, steady, steady. I slip him and off he goes out of the beam, and cuts in like a missile. The rabbit begins to sprint towards the hedge, he cuts its path and turns him away and back into the open, strike, miss, a change of gear and he's back onto it and strikes again ends up over the rabbit. He manages to regain pace very quickly and bolts the rabbit out of cover twice, but again another lucky rabbit who made it home. A well deserved praise for the boy, he did really well.

 

We continue on and see a lovely hare casually eating, and few owls sitting out enjoying the night too. Spectators maybe?

The farmer has several donkeys who have now located us and began to warn us to stay away from them, and so we did! The next field we scan and there was our next rabbit to run. I wanted Joes dog to have another run, as I felt the first was just too unlucky for Snowie. Joe slowly approaches the rabbit, the rabbit squats. Snowie is gently slipped, this time she stalks her prey, what a lovely sight to see, this is what it's all about, seeing different types of dogs run, different styles of running, and best of all great company. Snowie is almost ontop of her rabbit when it bolts. This time Snowie wasn't going to make this get away. The rabbit heads towards the wire, Snowie has registered this and has pushed it away, snap, miss, the rabbit does a little jump, and a small jink after the landing, Snowie now powers up for the last time, the rabbit jumps a small ditch and so does Snowie who then picks the rabbit up into her jaws. Excellent!! One in the bag. For a quiet night there were a fair few rabbits feeding, however not many wanted to be brave enough to come out far enough, so we had to run what we could. 3rd field showed a 5,6 feeding next to the hedges, an owl hovering over its potential meal. 4th field, my saluki cross to have a run. There 20yrds from the hedge, and well spotted by Joe i must say was the next rabbit. I slowly begin to walk up to it, again guessing which hedge he may run to. My dog has indicated to me that he has seen it, he's shaking with excitement, I slip him, straight down the beam and at neck breaking speed he powers up to it, the rabbit lifts and trys to head for the hedge to our right, he cuts the rabbits path, the rabbit changes direction now heading for the other hedge, change of speed his nose literally touching the rabbits rear end. The hedge the hedge, slow down slow down boy!!! CRUNCH. I see my dog crouching frozen like a pointer, then the sound of the high pitched Squeal. Out he comes with the rabbit in his jaws. I honestly believe that he had not known that he had the rabbit, and maybe he actually had stood on it in the hedge! 5th field, another rabbit feeding. The deerhound cross is slipped this time full pelt he cuts in from the beam and smack takes the rabbit with ease. I think Joe was impressed with that one...... So was I The next few fields produced a few more rabbits and a few more near misses.

 

We headed out to another location, foxes, hares (5 in one field) and the deer calling each other, however we kept that session short due to the fog settling in from nowhere!! We both had other commitments for the morning, one being ferretting, the other painting a door!

 

All in all it was hard going for the dogs. The rabbits were there, and they all performed well. I always assess my dogs when I'm out with them and work on what needs improving. The retrieveing in this case will need to be tweeked on the deerhound cross, but I feel that when there is more than one dog there could be a little jealously between them, and not wanting to bring the prey straight back in fear of the other having it off them. We will see what the future dictates to us.

 

 

It's for the best Joe that I disguise you.....

My turn.....

[Simoman 110]

Cracking write up artic, really well written, keep them coming........

[stabba 10,745]

Excellent write up mate

[Davestone 25]

Good [bANNED TEXT] up, enjoyed it

[FoxyWarrior 17]

Once again Artic a great write up, good honest post. Dogs did well and looking fit and ready.

 

[rabitin girl 16]

Really good write up , enjoyed reading it

[lord of the fens 23]

Another masterpiece mate, thanks for that

[staffs riffraff 1,068]

smashing read

[stroller 341]

There are some great write ups at times on this forum, this is one of them. well done mate

[FOXHUNTER 5,021]

Nice read mate , keep them coming !!!

[Fat-Ferret 857]

Great write up Arctic...there should be more of this.

[DottyDoo 500]

excellent mate, we was oot aswell last nite, same situation, bunnys there but not wanting to come out too far

 

teds big dog took 10 an my pup had 2, forgot the camera tho

 

 

 

keep at them mate

atb for rest of season

[Guest stewie]

should of been in EDRD mate

[s.e.s.k.u 1,893]

great read!

[artic 595]

Thank you for all your replies, much appreciated.