Ferreting in the snow Sat 4th dec

[stevethefish 80]

The crew came down Saturday for another bash, we had planned to carry on where we left off last time but the trouble was we could not park safely on the road. The snow was still really thick and with just a single track down the middle in deep snow, it would have been irresponsible to just park any old how. With that in mind we decided to go to the top road and do that hedgerow, at least we could park safely there without causing any problems.

 

The hedgerow in question had been cleared of the brambles by the keeper for us to get to the warrens, jolly good of him.

 

We started about 8.30am, the holes were quite visable considering the amount of snow, but at least the temperature was much warmer than the previous day. Minus 16 in the night and minus 11 at 10am, that would have chilled the old finger ends.

 

The first set we were eager to go and after placing about 15 nets or so we flooded it with 6 ferrets for quick results. It wasn't long before they started bolting, and even though you get a few digs doing it this way it is effective. We finished up with 10 rabbits from this one, followed by 5 on the next, 6 on the next and so on. The rabbits were very reluctant to bolt with the thick snow, they just can't run in it, and just in case we missed any bolters we had blue, the small lurcher, he nails them within 10 seconds.

 

we did have a few digs, but thats part and parcel of the game and it keeps you active in the cold so not too bad. Ray did find a few things to do though when the spades came out, sorry ray.

 

When both us and the ferrets got tired, we had done maybe less than 200yds up to 2pm and less than one third of the hedgerow but still finished up with 44 plus one that the dog nailed that had signs of previous mixy, we buried this one.

 

All told not too bad for the conditions, less snow the rabbits may have bolted easily resulting in less digs and many more rabbits, never mind they will save for the next visit.

 

My mobile phone battery went early on in the day and as a result I could not take any pics, gutted as I like to have a photographic record of the day, but you can't have it all ways.

 

We will continue this hedgerow shortly and the adjoining strip of woodland that produced well last year, so more to come..........................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stevo poses with the haul before the mamoth task of skinning them.

Edited December 6, 2010 by stevethefish

[stevethefish 80]

The crew came down Saturday for another bash, we had planned to carry on where we left off last time but the trouble was we could not park safely on the road. The snow was still really thick and with just a single track down the middle in deep snow, it would have been irresponsible to just park any old how. With that in mind we decided to go to the top road and do that hedgerow, at least we could park safely there without causing any problems.

 

The hedgerow in question had been cleared of the brambles by the keeper for us to get to the warrens, jolly good of him.

 

We started about 8.30am, the holes were quite visable considering the amount of snow, but at least the temperature was much warmer than the previous day. Minus 16 in the night and minus 11 at 10am, that would have chilled the old finger ends.

 

The first set we were eager to go and after placing about 15 nets or so we flooded it with 6 ferrets for quick results. It wasn't long before they started bolting, and even though you get a few digs doing it this way it is effective. We finished up with 10 rabbits from this one, followed by 5 on the next, 6 on the next and so on. The rabbits were very reluctant to bolt with the thick snow, they just can't run in it, and just in case we missed any bolters we had blue, the small lurcher, he nails them within 10 seconds.

 

we did have a few digs, but thats part and parcel of the game and it keeps you active in the cold so not too bad. Ray did find a few things to do though when the spades came out, sorry ray.

 

When both us and the ferrets got tired, we had done maybe less than 200yds up to 2pm and less than one third of the hedgerow but still finished up with 44 plus one that the dog nailed that had signs of previous mixy, we buried this one.

 

All told not too bad for the conditions, less snow the rabbits may have bolted easily resulting in less digs and many more rabbits, never mind they will save for the next visit.

 

My mobile phone battery went early on in the day and as a result I could not take any pics, gutted as I like to have a photographic record of the day, but you can't have it all ways.

 

We will continue this hedgerow shortly and the adjoining strip of woodland that produced well last year, so more to come..........................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stevo poses with the haul before the mamoth task of skinning them.

Off again in morning hope its not minus 16 again tonight, it never got above minus 6 here all day, some cold pinkies tomorrow, best get the thermals out.

[auld salmon 28]

im jealous but well done lads keep up the bunny bashing

[deanflute 550]

Another good write up mate, Always sounds like a good haul when you hit them!

[hunter73 1]

a1 mate ,a good read on a good day

[kenny243 54]

nice one maty , wish i had that numbers here in belgium !!!

 

[Wardyuk 0]

leave some for the rest of us!! be none left if you was out everyday lol

[stevethefish 80]

We dont make a dent on them here mates, just leave enough for them to repopulate for the next year and it keeps them going. Good thing thinning them out it helps to stop mixy, and helps the keepers and farmers out with less to chomp on the crops. We are hitting the same patches now that we had bumper hauls last year, you wouldn't know we had done them before with whats there. I reckon we will do 1000 plus this winter again, just have to stop when too many young about but it seems that they are breeding more prolific than ever, they are all in season now you can see the blood in the snow everywhere.

I just love being out there, its an englishmans right to be able to hunt and just wish everyone could experience the joys.

You can keep tracks on our journeys at http://ukcountrysports.webs.com as well as on here

Edited December 6, 2010 by stevethefish

[Wardyuk 0]

fair play pal, wish i had somewhere like that to go its good to get out as u say.

[Guest crobinc840]

I love the look of shock and innocence on his face It looks like you guys had loads of fun, what do you do with all the skins?

[stevethefish 80]

Unfortunately they get binned, make someone a lovelly coat, oohh better not say that some tw*t might get offended about using something that is a waste product.

Sorry just get rev ved up with these feckin anti's, whats wrong with using animal pelts, (fur) bet they have leather friggin shoes/belts/purses etc hypocrites.

Sorry had a few ciders, time for bed up for ferreting in a couple of hours. Good job Stevo driving.......

[Jamie m 668]

We dont make a dent on them here mates, just leave enough for them to repopulate for the next year and it keeps them going. Good thing thinning them out it helps to stop mixy, and helps the keepers and farmers out with less to chomp on the crops. We are hitting the same patches now that we had bumper hauls last year, you wouldn't know we had done them before with whats there. I reckon we will do 1000 plus this winter again, just have to stop when too many young about but it seems that they are breeding more prolific than ever, they are all in season now you can see the blood in the snow everywhere.

I just love being out there, its an englishmans right to be able to hunt and just wish everyone could experience the joys.

You can keep tracks on our journeys at http://ukcountrysports.webs.com as well as on here

We had some good spots last year and thought the same went back this year to very low numbers on a previously bumper patch

[theferreter 311]

good haul there steve mate keep it up

[Moe 108]

back on form mate,wish i was there, some good sport to be had there and crack .

[stevethefish 80]

Good place to be lads, glad I moved from sheffield its more of an easy life, or should I say Good life!