A couple of hours around the fishery (Cropsafe Crew)

[stevethefish 80]

I was asked if we could move a few bunnies from around a fishery I go to, it's also a working farm and although there are loads on there it's heavy work with thick brambles etc. I lamp the place at night and the ground is crawling with mr long ears and generally get quite a few.

We got there at first light or just after, the starting point was the farm yard, covered with scrap and containers etc so plenty of places for them to hide. While the lads got stuck in I went for a drive with the farmer to pick out some slightly easier spots and to and to tell him where to flail the dykes out for our next visit. He is sound as a pond and wish they were all like him, he even supplies me with ammo when I shoot them.

When we got back to the yard Stevo was nearly in tears, they had suffered a few losses due to the nets snagging and the likes, it was impossible for the lurcher to nail them with all the rubble and scrap about, in fact it nearly broke its leg chasing one as it hit an old bit of machinery.

With just 3 in the bag and 9 losses this was to be the worst start to any ferreting day, we had never lost this many in a full day never mind a morning and it got worse. The next set resulted in a dig to find a nest of young, that's all we needed, but it has been really mild I suppose.

The next one was in dense bramble so we just threw a few ferrets in and I jumped on top of a digger with the gun, bang one down, bang hit this but it managed to drag itself into the cover, but the lab retrieved it no problem.

We then moved into a spinney which holds a few and the odd charlie, we had a patt and some nets just in case. The first set was large so we decided to blow them with the gun rather than spend 20 minute netting it up. It was so strange, after shooting a couple we lost the ferrets on the boxes. A good spread out and still nothing, Stevo went to fertilise the hole he dug while we were looking for them.

After a minute or two we heard him yell, I thought he had bent over into some brambles while snaking one out, but it was a ferret chasing a rabbit out of a hole close to him, that was 60 yards away from where we were.

He came walking back with ferret in one hand and half pulled up trousers in the other, sorry mate had to put this in it was so funny. We then walked over there (very carefully) and we found most of the other ferrets. This warren was huge, there must have been 100 holes spreading 70- yards. One to steer clear of unless you are mob handed, the cover is thick and ferrets could creep out and disappear.

After this almost unfortunate incident we moved to a hedgerow at the back of one of the lakes, the banking at the bottom was a mass of rabbits under the brambles but impossible to do until it gets flailed out, this will be a bumper crop I know that.

The hedgerow was easy going and we managed to pick off a dozen, some to the nets, some by gun and a couple for the lurcher for a bit of sport. As we got back to the van Stevo notice the tyre was almost flat and with 60 miles for the lads to drive back home we decided to call it a day and get some air in at the farm to get them home. It must have been a bit of scrap or a nail that caused it but they managed to get home safe and sound.

Another enjoyable day, well for most, I think Ray was on the phone most of the day, it must be love or stupidity one or the other, might have to ban phones from now on.

Although we didn't get the numbers we usually get it was still a great day out and a few less eating the crops, The farmer is always happy every one is a bonus, but will probably have a lamping night with the .17hmr to pick a few more off this week.

A steady couple of hours resulted in 24 fat bunnies and (dare I say) 16 losses, yes it happens to us all sometimes.

[junior 267]

nice work and great write up

[Trev Smilerface 38]

Sounds like a cracking outing....nice one.

[manaboutdog 3]

enjoyed it Sunday but keen as mustard for more, just waiting for a text

[whin 463]

sounds like agood bit of fun rabbits are tricky in some places but at least there there for next time

[stevethefish 80]

Yes whatever gets away will be breeders for the next season unless we do the same area again, not usually though.

[johnny boy68 11,726]

Great write up as always Steve.

[seanc 201]

Top write up as usual

 

Regards

 

Sean

[blackstaff 488]

Good write up yet again bud, well done on a good day out

[tote 854]

Good write up Steve, thanks for sharing.

[Good Man 196]

nice one lads, well done.

that black and yellow spade looks good, where did you get it from and are they any good?

Thanks.

[stevethefish 80]

It's a stanley shovel, great for clearing the soft stuff but not fantastic for digging it just feels a bit flimsy. The shovel head tapers outward a bit to much for digging straight down so we use some good old spades. The old ones are the best they are strong and made from proper steel (prob good old sheffield stuff) and get the job done in no time. We like a bit of digging, either ferreting or whatever, so good tools save the day every tool has a function.

So in answer to your question they are excellent for light work and clearing the holes but not fantastic to dig with.

[barry123 112]

great read steve

[stevethefish 80]

Out again on thursday, we are a bit restricted where we can go at present until the game shooting stops. Not long now though about 3 weeks and it's open season on rabbits.

[Guest bezza]

Rabbits are just about extinct where I have permission. North East. Send some up for me.lol