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Getting good at digging now, practice makes perfect


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The lads came down today to finish the session on the new permission that we left off last time. We arrived expecting some digs afterall thats how it ended the last time so why should it be different. Well we were not dissappointed it started just how we left it, dig after dig, for some reason they just will not bolt on this hedgerow unlike the dyke where they flew out like bullets. We did expect it so it was not a shock and brought the gear to deal with it, pity we didn't bring a mini excavator that may have been more appropriate.

We had the odd one that bolted but few and far between, they were a bit reluctant too however they were welcome on this grueller of a day. Most of the digs were 3-4 foot deep and although the soil is pretty soft the hawthorn roots made the digging difficult and the pruners and saw got some bosh. Young Byron (the vaseline kid) worked his socks off today and thought I should mention that as we usually give him some grief, poor lad. The clown in the team today was Stevo, after a dig he recovered the ferret and rabbit, he threw the rabbit to one side thinking it was dead but it got up and ran off. It was a battle to catch it between Stevo and the lurcher, Stevo claimed the trophy but I had my doubts something to do with him wrestling the dog to the ground and snatching the rabbit off it, hmmmm..... my moto is "kill it and kill it again" and make sure.

 

 

It started off being a cold frosty morning but it didnt take long to warm up with the digging, it wasn't long before some layers came off and the drinks came out.

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The farmer dropped in on us to see how we were doing and was pretty much impressed, he had a couple of his mates on there last week and they only managed about a dozen all day, we had done this in less than an hour. The digs got to be the norm rather than the exception, we dont really mind but would rather not as it only slows the process down and reduces the bag. One of the sets produced one bolter and a kill, we got the depth to 6 foot so decided to leave the 2 ferrets in that one and move on and keep popping back. After about an hour we decided that it would be necessary to dig it, so me and Stevo went back with the tools and made a start while the lads carried on. It was a pain and when we broke through I saw the rabbit under the loose soil but as Stevo dived in to grab it the ferrets dragged it backwards away from us. This made things worse and we struggled in the hole to tunnel though and eventually get the rabbit and ferrets out, (grave diggers got mentioned)

 

Stevo with the glory

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As we were digging another kill, the other adjoining farmer and his brother came over in the tractor, we didn't know how they would react as they were not around for the other farmer to let them know we would be on their land. I was surprised when they just asked "are you getting many" that would be apparent as the mountain of rabbits were just feet away from the ractor. They were very happy for us to be there and even asked if we wanted to do some more on their land, silly question really, nice of them to ask though. They mentioned about the beans that were in the field that we were digging and said they may have trouble with pigeons soon as they had started chitting, well rude not to offer to shoot the pigeons too. It just goes to show that word gets around and if you do the job well and be polite and have respect, things just get better.

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We managed to get towards the end of the hedgerow and just dropped a couple of ferrets in so I could have a blast on a couple, we dont usually do this only on sets that are hard to net but I was in need of some recreation.

Well the final tally was 42, that takes us to over 100 in 2 days on here and still plenty to go at, just hope the rest will be better at bolting, these are on a small banking so fingers crossed.

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Tilly's pups now doing very well, anyone interested in one get in touch with manaboutdog.

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Edited by stevethefish
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Good stuff mate

 

Some dig! is that a live bunny thats blokes holding in that last pic ???. lol

:

It was one we decided to leave for a breeder, just took the pic then let it go.

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Afterall efficient as we may be but taking everything is foolish.

Edited by stevethefish
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hi steve, great day out yesterday and good laugh. but my body aching this morn so went for a walk with the dogs lol, feel brand new now :boogie: tilly defo be back next week the wife says shes :wallbash: but pups are looking good gonna get a photo on later of them. as allways ready for next time sooner than later :gunsmilie: the mustard man lol

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