The Cropsafe Crew on our latest outing

[stevethefish 80]

Well the weather has put us back a bit this season, all that rain and wind was a bit too much when I have been down with a bad cold for weeks. But with the cold subsiding and the weather deciding it wanted to be spring for a few days we thought (be rude not to)

With a few new/young ferrets in our possession we thought it would be a good day to try them out and see if we could get them working. It takes time and patience with most but some just take straight to it.

We could have done some easy grass bankings, I have been getting pestered to do but thought throw them in at the deep end. Thick hawthorn hedgerows, dense brambles and the like, it just wouldn't be the same for us doing the easy stuff. Well we shot off at about 8am to a nearby farm hedgerow where we had ferreted the year before, the keeper asked us to have another bash as there were still loads on there. We don't like to over do it as you can imagine, but as he had asked we though we should get it done. The first hour saw us sweating like John Terry at a racist trial, I even stripped off and took off my thermal long john's, that was a sight early morning at the side of a road.

 

We were pleasantly surprised at the speed in which these novice ferrets picked it up, we got a few refusals at first but when they had a smell of fresh blood and a little nibble they soon found out what those pointed teeth were for (oops sorry Stevo) long story.........

Although it was taking much longer than normal with the new ferrets we thought it would be of benefit in the long run. They started to get the hang of it pretty well and the rabbits were building up nicely. We knew it would not be a 50/60 day but never the less we were enjoying it and the weather was very nice.

We did have a few digs along the way, with the new ferrets not being used to hands and arms rammed down a dig we had to proceed with caution at first. They are tame but a dark rabbit hole with something coming towards them could be mistaken for a rabbit and I don't care how hard you think you are a ferret bite friggin hurts.

We got to the end of this hedgerow and although we did loose a few due to snagging nets and someone missing bolt holes no names mentioned we had 25, 4 of these kept alive in the van for Stevo's allotment. With it just being dinner time we thought an hour of easier ferreting would round up the day so we went up around the res to see what was happening there. I couldn't believe just how low it was, I bet there was just 2 foot of water in it, it was that low we could see all the signal crayfish in big clusters on the bottom. More tasty treats for the pan after Christmas, I even picked one out to show Ray and of course let it nip his finger, he was nearly crying like a baby when it drew blood

We got back to the ferreting after a quick bovril and sarni and managed to pick up a few more before deciding to call it a day, well we did one more set on the way down the track when we saw 2 leg it into it, silly not to take it when it's on a plate.

A final tally and a picture resulted in 32 for a training day so that we were very happy with and the ferrets were broken in well for next time.

I don't know when we will be back out, reason being the lads brought me a pile of booze for Christmas, bottle of champagne, bottle of vodka, 3 bottles of wine, and a shit load of cider, oooh shiiiiiit some gad dam hangover coming up. Cheers lads....

I would just like to say, these lads are the business, they are really good mates but more than that they are grafters and it just isn't the same ferreting without them, they make it so enjoyable... ALL THE BEST LADS FOR CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR

 

AND THE SAME TO YOU ALL, CHEERS

[ferret110 27]

Good work lads

[johnny boy68 11,726]

Great write up as always.......well done steve and the crew.

[stevethefish 80]

will stick a couple of short vids on when I get time

[dogs and quarry 40]

well done sounds a great day, all the best

[Moe 108]

good going there lads as is expected now,will have to get my finger out got 5 gills of last year still unushed .

[simonrocco 175]

well done pal a good result there especialy with young ferrets atb for xmas

[stevethefish 80]

http://youtu.be/6Y81-0uSIts

 

A quick 4 from the res bank before we called it a day. We always pull the tail off any rabbits the dog nails so we know it could be bruised.

Edited December 23, 2011 by stevethefish

[dymented 2,220]

well done there lads

[paddy polecat 129]

Cracking bag and write up as usual lads.......Atb in the new year

[terrier s 123]

well done guys

[Guest vin]

always enjoy your exploits lads... keep it up...and please keep us updated..

 

merry xmas to all of you and good luck for next year.

[manaboutdog 3]

good write up steve ,see you in the morning ,cant wait ,

[stevethefish 80]

Should be a few on the chicken farm Stevo, easy ferreting for a change woop de do.

[richie198 28]

well done lads great write up all the best

in the new year with the young ferrets