They had us working hard yesterday...

[rob190364 2,594]

Went back to the farm with the bloody electric fence yesterday but checked it and it was turned off, still a pain in the ass having wires around the hedges but most of the warrens are in the hedges in the middle rather than on the outskirts so not too much of a problem when ferreting.

 

First set, the one that usually holds a few, as we approach there's a few sheep sitting on top of the warren which run off as we approach. To cut a long (part of the) story short, dog was doing a lot of sniffing around the holes but must have been sniffing sheep muck and I mistook it for a sign that rabbits were present so spend ages netting up a 20 holer on either side of the hedge only to find nothing home, bah!

 

Checked a couple of other warrens, nothing home. Next warren, definite mark on a 6 or 7 holer, very thick part of the hedge though so not really feasible to net it. I positioned Tilly on the other side of the hedge where most of the exits are and enter the hob on this side. Within a couple of minutes a rabbit bolts on Tillys side and she puts in a decent chase but it drops into a three holer 30 or 40 meters away. Under the hedge I go and over to the three holer that's in long grass but right in the middle of the field. Tilly in a decent position, enter hob and within a minute or so I hear squealing underground, another minute passes and still no bolt. Just as I go to reach for the ferret finder Tilly dives into the long grass and I hear squealing and a crunch. Rabbit is half out of the hole and Tilly has basically crushed its head, I pulled it out by the ears and hob is hanging of its back leg. No need to dispatch as its head is like a f'ckin pancake!

 

On to the next hole, positive mark and hob is entered again (trying to slim him down!). This time it's a 10 or 12 holer along the hedge with holes on both sides again. This time we have a hole hopper, never going more than about 5 or 6 foot to the next hole. Tilly comes close a couple of times but it's refusing to bolt properly so in goes the Jill to give a bit of assistance. A good 5 minutes pass and then out shoots the rabbit on the other side of the hedge straight under a pile of hay bales. Collect ferrets, climb under yet another hedge and through fence. I set up the nets on each opening on one side of the hay bales and run the ferrets through each opening on the other side until eventually rabbit number two hits the net.

 

So only two rabbits, but a nice little session. Much rather be having a nice hot brew, while waiting for rabbits to bolt on a frosy Saturday morning than be stuck in bed nursing a hangover. Then get home in time just to see Liverpool beat United....mixed feelings about that one, not really possible to have a decent conclusion when them to play!!!

 

Only took one pic as I was trying (and failing) to get a decent video clip of a run.....they always bloody bolt on the wrong side of the hedge when you're filming!

[BEARINATOR 2,877]

Good write up mate, I bet them bales are a heaven for pests

[StevoSmith 147]

Cracking write up

[Strong Stuff 2,171]

Definitely better than rotting in bed!

 

Was going to suggest running Finn through those bales with Tilly waiting to see what bolts, but he'd probably knock the pile over!

[The one 8,529]

Ive often thought about running a long net round them bales in a farm yard and ferreting them but im scared my ferret kills in the middle of them ,and i can just see the farmers face if i ask him to move the bales so i can get my ferret .

[MR TEA POT 1,287]

Good place for bodygrips them bales,thought about ferreting meself,but likes been said if ferret kills in how do you get it out