Another trip to a foreign land.

[Ideation 8,216]

Today saw johnnyboy and I heading over the border for our third trip to the foreign land, to do a bit of bunny bashing with Malc1 and his wife Lee.

 

Up at half four, time for a cuppa and to load of the car with gear, ferrets and dog, and then off down to pick up johnnyboy, and his two dogs and ferrets. We left at about 6am, didn't make the best of time, and were up with Malc1 just before eight. We were well met, with a nice cup of tea, as usual, and had a little chat, waiting for my Dad to turn up (he was joining us for the morning). Once he had arrived, we set off, the team completed by Malc1's lurcher Murph, and Lee's two terriers, Lala 'legend' and the wee 11 week old pup Bam.

 

Todays venue, was once again, the equestrian centre which needed some serious rabbit removal, which has been done quite effectivly between our ferreting sessions and malc1's lamping trips.

 

Got to the place, unloaded the dogs etc and set off for the hedge line, starting at one end. Immediatly we could see that it was a bit quieter, with less visible signs of rabbits, and more empty sets.

 

The first mark, was made by Finn, in a hedge that belonged to a neighbouring property and bordered a road, so dogs kept back off the road, nets on and ferret down, only for the single rabbit within, to manage to kick the net, evade my desperate grab, evade murphs desperate bid for it, and find safety in an out of bounds warren.

 

1-0 to the bunnies

 

Anyway, back to where we were meant to be and further a long the hedge, and we had another mark, on a long, hard to net set, under the black thorn. Nets on, with great difficulty, and ferrets in either end. A bit of rumbling later, and out pops the first rabbits, into a net, deep within the hedge, the net snags, and the rabbit gets lose, but finn is right up his arse through the middle of the hedge, and Gem is in front of it. Bunny decides to make a break into the field, and is very neatly run down and picked up by Murph, with Gem and Luna on his heels. A bit more thumping and the second rabbit pops out of an unetted hole, and tries to go down another with a net on it, stops in the mouth, and pauses too long, as i make a dive into the hedge and grab it. The ferrets show and it's time to de-net and move on.

 

A bit further down, we get another mark on a nice little set on a gully, net up and enter the jill. A few moments later, the rabbit tries to make a sneaky escape, out of a little bolt hole on the gully side, hits a net, the peg pulls out, but finn is on it before it hits the ground.

 

The ferret appeared, so we de-netted, and before moving on, had a quick look in some rough ground behind us, and lo-and-behold, got another mark, on a nice little 4//5 holer. Nets on, and a good excuse to give malc1's jill kit (bred by johnnyboy) a run out. After a moments hesitation, she scuttles to ground and minuites later evicts the rabbit

 

Next up is the infamous 'mound', which we have hit hard in the past, taking most of the occupants on our last couple of trips. The five of us got on netting the beast up, then took up position, and entered the ferrets. This time, only four bolted, three neatly netted and held by dogs, and one making it's escape after kicking a net, while the dogs were elsewhere. We also added a vole and a dead rat to the bag

 

At this point we had seven in the bag, and the day was drawing to a close. My old man headed off, as did Lee.

 

We thought we would see what we could add on the walk back to the car, and set off a long the ditch at the edge of the property. At this point unfortunatly, finn started hunting a rabbit a long the ditch, put it up and then flew after it a long the ditch, colliding with some barbed wire, gashing a nasty cut on his foreleg. So vets tomorrow morning for me i think!

 

However we did manage another mark on a set where Finn had put one to ground, before his inncident. Netted up, and entered johns young jill. After a bit the first rabbit exited, slipped the net, but was turned into the ditch by Luna and Gem . . . . right into Murphs waiting jaws the second occupant exited shortly afterwards, this time into a net.

 

Nine down, and you can't stop on nine can you? Got another mark on the way back to the car, layed the nets, entered the ferret and had a double bolt from the same hole. The first rabbit was well pursed, but his buddy went straight over him, through a fence and was away.

 

Just before we reached the car, the dogs disappeared, working a hedge row, and suddenly there was a loud beating of wings, as Luna added a binus pheasant to the bag

 

Another good day in great company, end result ten rabbits and one pheasant. Thankyou again to Malc1 and his wife Lee for the warm hospitality and company

 

Unfortunatly limited photos as i left my camera at home, and my old man took a few, then buggered off. So alas, no EOD shot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[theferreter 311]

good stuff lads

[jayjay 264]

nice one there mate, not a bad day........you win some you lose some......., suppose you gotta leave a few there for future trips, ha, ha , hope the dogs alright,

 

all the best,

jay.

[darbo 4,774]

sounds like another good day. hope the dogs cut isnt too bad.

[takman511 42]

well done lads

[Tyla 3,179]

Nice write up, you need to buy yourself a stapler Jai, save a fortune at the vets

[Dheff 6]

Nice write-up

[seany 54]

looks like you had a good day well done, too bad about finn I hope he's ok and jai you look knackered mate lol

 

ATB Seany

[simonrocco 175]

good write up pal as always tens not a bad bag of rabbits it sounds like you all had a good day. atb

[johnny boy68 11,726]

Not so many rabbits yesterday but a good day regardless.

 

I hope Finn is ok this morning that cut he's got is like a paper cut compared to his last one.

 

Thanks to malc and Lee for the great hospitality that they show us as always.

 

This pic had me giggling check out Bam wanting to get in on the action.

[Malt 379]

Great report and pictures guys!

[paddy polecat 129]

Good result lads

[malc1 544]

cheers for comeing down its allways a good day with you lads i hope finns ok it was nice to see your dad i think he enjoyed it i better admit i let one get away at the end i didnt get my foot in the hole quick enough while i was gettin the rabbit out of the net ups carnt trust us english cheers lads bit of frost and we can have round 4 atb malc and lee and the mob