A Good Mooch

[Ideation 8,216]

Well, this weekend, it was time for our first trip of the season 'oop north;, to visit our good friend Deepearth and have a mooch about with the dogs and ferrets and a catch up. The plan this time was to head up Saturday, have a good walk with the pack, and a couple of ferrets, and then maybe do some lamping that night and then head back the next morning.

 

Set off early doors, picking up Johnnyboy and dogs and we were on our way by 5am. The drive up there was pretty easy and we made good time, to be greated by Deepearth, his mate Patterdalejoel (and his wee dog Eve) and some very welcome bacon sandwiches and a cup of tea. Once breakfast was done and dusted, we loaded up the car, and set off.

 

First stop was some land to just let the dogs have a wee stretch and see what it held, this season. Upon arrival we let the dogs out, and within mins had a nosey neighbur telling us that rabbiting with dogs was illegal. . . yawn. We had a quick scout about and decided that this piece of ground would be better tackled at a later date in the season, after a few frosts. So back in the car we went, and a quick drive later, were at our main destination for the day.

 

We geared up, and let the pack loose, following on behind as they bounded up the slopes, onto the hillsides. We had with us, Joels - Eve, Johnnys - Gem, Luna and Bron and my Finn. Off the dogs went, already picking up scents and scouting about. We had a mark in a wall, but couldnt retrieve the bunnys without collapsing the wall, so left it. Soon enough as we walked through the first field, off to one side, Luna suddenly bounded up the hillside, rising a bunny and nailing it before it made the brow. Quite soon after that, i pulled one out of a wall with Finn, and we mooched on.

 

We watched the dogs work, following lines, sometimes in pairs, sometimes on their own at various points on the hill, and very occaisionally, coming together to hunt one gully or patch of cover. Soon enough we had run a couple to ground, and bolted them. Johnny and i ran one to ground with Finn, and Bron, and netted up. Down went the ferrets, and soon enough the first was in the net, and its mate followed shortly behind. Unfortunatly the second bunny skipped the net, but i'm glad it did, because Bron was on it like a cat, tight on it's tail, as it tried to flee, her second strike connected, and she rolled, coming up with the rabbit in her mouth. Brons first bunny, and done with style.

 

We caried on like this, working the dogs, sometimes four of us together and sometimes splitting into pairs or off on our own, just wandering about the hillsides, and gullys.

 

Soon enough, Bron had her second catch of the day, nailing a rabbit sat tight in the reeds. She really shrapened up and her hunting stepped up a gear, really impressing all.

 

The other dogs also continued putting up rabbits, lifting some, loseing some through walls, and putting some to ground. What went to ground, we ferreted out, mainly getting single rabbits from sets, sometimes two (although joe and johnny did bolt five from one toward the end of the day).

 

We pulled a few more from walls, dug some that wouldnt bolt, and the dogs kept working on. It was really good to see them sharpen up, as they got into the groove, and considering their early season lack of fitness, they held it together well, though they tired as the day wore on. Little Eve, really impressed me, like a fecking spider monkey, she was up, on and in the walls, seeking out bunnys, and hunting like a demon.

 

As the day started to draw to a close, we left Johnny and Joel to drag what coneys we had on us to the nearest road, while DE and I (and some of the dogs) went to collect a couple more stashes and the car. On the way to the car, we managed to aquire the days final two rabbits as darkness was falling.

 

We collected the other two and did a quick tally, we had caught a forty rabbits, and they were forty very enjoyable rabbits. It was a brilliant mooch with the dogs and a ferret on our backs, rather than hardcore ferreting, and we had some top banter and watched some decent dog work.

 

We headed back to Deepearth's and fed the dogs, and then destroyed a Shephards pie, which was excellent. During dinner, we learnt that lamping was not going to be possible on the intended permission for the night, and as we were pretty knackered and the dogs were fairly happy to just lie in a heap, we did what any sensible man would do. . . . . and went to the pub instead

 

That night, i slept in the garage, on a matress, with four dogs around me and four ferrets, one of which decided to run about the place and then found a roll of foam to ride about the place. And i slept like a baby

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next day, we were due to head home, but decided to just let the dogs have a quick stretch first, before we got off, so they could empty out and settle down. We went back onto the same farm, and let them have a run about. Within ten mins, Luna had nailed a rabbit too slow to make the wall, and shortly after, Bron pushed another out of some cover and picked it up, with a tumble. We strolled on, and soon enough Bron had yet another, hunted through some cover at the bottom of a gully, and snapped up as it dithered.

 

We put one to ground and as we'd brought a ferret, we popped it out. When DE and Johnny were doing this, i went to see what Finn was doing at the top of a rise, and as i got there, he was in the process of running and snatching another rabbit.

 

We started to head back to the car, and ran one more in, so dropped the ferret down. Unfortunatly this warren connected to an underground drainage channel, so we had a bit of a f****r finding the ferret that was twenty yards away or more and the digging was a bit wet, but we got her and the bunnys. So with half a dozen in the bag in rapid time and the dogs stretched, we headed for the motor.

 

On the way we passed a group of hikers, two couples and five female kids. I heard one exclaim, "look at the rabbits" and thought 'oh bollocks', but instead of being offended or angry they were fascinated, asked lots of questions and soon we had the ferrets out, the kids handling them and having photos, and gave the parentst the whole pep talk about why rabbiting is great and needed, about lurchers, ferrets, and how to cook rabbit etc. Johnny even put on a wee dog agility show, jumping the lurchers over the walls By the end the girls wanted ferrets and running dogs

 

Unfortunatly it was then time to head home, so we said goodbye to DE and made the long and rainy drive home to Wales.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A truly enjoyable day and a bits, mooching, with top company, good dogs, beautiful scenery and some great sport Considering it's very early in our season, the dogs did well, and were pretty sharp. They all did well, but Luna was excellent, after finding this land difficult to get to grips with last time, she got into the zone and pulled off some impressive catches, and Bron, made her first four catches over the two days and looked like a pro who had been doing it years, i have to say, i think she is going to be a decent dog. Finn and Gem . . . . well, they did what Finn and Gem always do, ones nuts and the other is steady as a rock, but they catch bunnys

[patterdale666 1,620]

Great write up and great pics looks like you lads had good craic

[troter58 1,711]

good read that lads and good photos glad the young bitch is doing what she was bred to do plenty more to come atb troter

[skinner 348]

good day lad and good pics

[Tyla 3,179]

Sounds like a great way to spend the weekend. Bron looks an absolute stunner and sounds like shes coming on to match

[frankel 2,123]

Brilliant read, i am chuffed to bits with bron. I am pleased she is doing well for Yas.

 

Well done lads

[TOMO 26,025]

f**k me them bullocks look like you with all that hair,,,,,,

 

Sounds like a great time lads,, tthem dales really are gods own country..... Good dog work,, good company,, you can't ask for much more

Edited September 26, 2012 by TOMO

[mighty celt 996]

thats my kind of hunting forget about about the ferrets bring along a couple of springers and teagles and youl have some fun,thats my kind of land if only we had them numbers id be a happy man,were lucky to get them numbers on the lamp.sounds a great day,well done lads,great write up.

[malc1 544]

great write up jai brill pictures glad you all had a great time dogs are looking well carnt wait till we have a catch up atb malc

[KittleRox 2,147]

I like the shagged oot Finn pic

 

and Johny must be well happy with Bron

 

cracking post

[skycat 6,173]

:clapper: Now that's what I call a good post: great photos too.

[luka 8]

great read and great pics. atb

[my hounds 307]

As mentioned a good post,thanks.

[foxtails 272]

ideation iv been trying to contact you,,will you pm me please mate,,,your inbox is full,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,cheers foxtails

[Brian-911 210]

What cross and age is the rough fawn mate? Looks identicle to my bitch. Nice photos