Result From First Outing.

[3 and counting 22]

Well, finally got out with the ferts on a local Cider mill.

 

Woke up much later than wanted so I was glad I got all the kit together last night. Loaded car and headed out with the family in tow (permo is on a friend of my daughters) Got a mile up the road and started getting into the snow that's completely missed the town (few wispy bits in the fields but nothing to worry about) another mile up and its getting thicker. Driving up towards the Mill entrance and was surprised on how much there was. Turned into their lane and had to knock the truck into difflock, its times like this I love the good old Disco.

 

Had to abandon the truck at the top, as the lane has a steep icy hill down to the house/mill (wouldn't look good crashing into the place)

 

Quick warm up and chat with the landowner and time to start.

 

Took the 2 polecat Jills with me (Freya and Pogo) to see how they would get on. I went out last weekend to have a mooch around to see where the holes were but was told that she hadn't seen many round for a while and was under the impression there was a bit of mixy round the area.

 

First time out I figured it would be easier to start with a smaller bury. Walked up a small hill from the house to a hedge row on their boundary Fresh snow proved there were more rabbits round then I and the owner first thought.Made our way down towards a nice little 4 hole I'd spotted and me, my son and landowners son started netting up.

 

Out of the 2 ferts Pogo is the more timid one when it comes to new things so collared up Freya and put her in one of the middle holes. I was very surprised with her! She seem to know exactly what to do. Popped her on the floor and lifted the net and in she went. I was a little apprehensive so decided to follow her with the finder. Within 30 seconds she was around 4ft from the hole and getting deeper until she popped out from the next hole. This soon turned into a game as we went from one hole to the next and back again.Then, she decided it was time to presumably go a little deeper. Next I know is the rumble and out from the fence line at the top of the hedge bolts a fair size rabbit. Unfortunately I had missed this hole and had no net on it so 1-0 to the bunnies.

 

Decided I would let her work the other holes as some didn't seem to be connected to others in the area (waited till she was ready to come out then pop her down one that she hadn't been to) but nothing else seemed to be home.

 

Next up was a small group of 4 in the apple trees which had loads of prints going to. To let Freya warm her feet up we netted up and sent Pogo down. It took her a while to sus out what I wanted her to do but with a little encouragement she disappeared just inside one of the holes and was hanging round the entrance a little reluctant to enter properly. She soon gained enough courage to venture down the hole only to emerge from another about 2ft away. Thought that I'd leave it to her to work out what to do and sat and had a smoke while watching her pop out of a different hole every time (little like the old whack-a-mole game)

 

After a while it looked like she was trying to tell me something so decided to try out Freya in case there was someone home here. Took her from the box and she was really eager to get to the hole. By this time the two boys who were supposed to be helping had wandered off elsewhere to mess around in the snow so I was on my todd. Collared up (only have one collar at the moment) and dropped her in. 30 seconds and out popped a rabbit from between 2 of the netted holes. I presume there was one of the bolt holes that was dug but not quite to the surface just beside the ferret box. How I never stood in it i'll never know but that makes it 2-0.

 

I left her there for a bit to have a mooch around again and decided that after a couple of hours on their first outing in the snow that would do for them as I will be out next weekend again.

 

Even though I came home empty handed For their first time out they did really well.

 

Hope you enjoyed and i didn't ramble too much

 

Pics to follow shortly.

.

[Guest lurcherman2013]

great read mate,can't wait to see the pics

[satan and todd 125]

excellent post .. went out myself for an hour missed 1 bolted 2 took me jill bout an hour to bolt one which bolted twice lol spade broke then battery in box went flat lol so called it a day after 2

[roxy and bear patterdale 3]

Good post

[3 and counting 22]

Cheers lads. Hopefully here are some pics

 

Firstly this is part of the permo. Fair sized orchard Quite a few holes but not all showing signs of life. also have about the same size of woodland too.

 

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a few of the holes with busy footprints

 

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My 2 ferts, first one is Freya and second is Pogo, both sisters and very hard to tell them apart at times.

 

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Out of interest, How long would any of you have your ferts out on the snow as I was concerned about them getting frostbite on their toes as it was bloody cold.

[Guest lurcherman2013]

Cheers lads. Hopefully here are some pics

 

Firstly this is part of the permo. Fair sized orchard Quite a few holes but not all showing signs of life. also have about the same size of woodland too.

 

[/img]

 

a few of the holes with busy footprints

 

[/img]

[/img]

 

My 2 ferts, first one is Freya and second is Pogo, both sisters and very hard to tell them apart at times.

 

[/img]

[/img]

 

Out of interest, How long would any of you have your ferts out on the snow as I was concerned about them getting frostbite on their toes as it was bloody cold.

brilliant mate

[The one 8,483]

looking at the tracks you would think there loads there , you might want to tape the end of your collar up it will stop water getting in and stop the cap from coming off mate

[stinkers 102]

Wouldnt worry too much bout them being out in the snow....don forget there spending most of the time down a warm burrow....your the fool stood in the snow getting cold feet. :laugh: Nice little read.

[3 and counting 22]

looking at the tracks you would think there loads there , you might want to tape the end of your collar up it will stop water getting in and stop the cap from coming off mate

 

Yeah, cheers for the advise. I meant to take some tape with me but it got left in the landy (every landy comes with a roll of gaffer tape)

 

If it should move but doesn't - Hammer

If it moves and shouldn't - Gaffer tape

[3 and counting 22]

Wouldnt worry too much bout them being out in the snow....don forget there spending most of the time down a warm burrow....your the fool stood in the snow getting cold feet. :laugh: Nice little read.

 

Ha Ha. didn't think of it that way. Should have stayed longer then. Still I'will be back out next weekend so alls good.

[Matt 160]

Good write up there 3&C.

 

Rabbits are notoriously bad at bolting in snow. I suppose you can't blame 'em really!

 

Having a good craic and getting out and about is far more important than numbers.

[NEWKID 27,208]

Well done on getting out mate, I wouldn't worry too much on the ferrets, they're hardy little things... If they're youngsters a few short trips like that will be great to get them going.

I've done a fair bit in North Devon, a mates in Torrington, and we've done a lot of ferreting up there, he says the rabbit numbers are down this year on his permo so we've left it be. Also got a lot of permission in Coombe Martin... Beautiful up there..

All the best

Kev

[3 and counting 22]

Well done on getting out mate, I wouldn't worry too much on the ferrets, they're hardy little things... If they're youngsters a few short trips like that will be great to get them going.

I've done a fair bit in North Devon, a mates in Torrington, and we've done a lot of ferreting up there, he says the rabbit numbers are down this year on his permo so we've left it be. Also got a lot of permission in Coombe Martin... Beautiful up there..

All the best

Kev

 

Might have got one in Combe Martin myself if all goes well. Farm has just been sold and the new owner isn't sure yet what rabbits are round but was up for it. Left my number but when I'm passing next I will pop in and check. Looking back on it with all the footprints round there must be a fair few about. landowner did say that they havn't seen them but I've counted 63 ish holes across the top hedgerow and looking at maybe 40 spread out in the trees, and that's only on half of the land. A few weekends out there at 2-3 hours a time should bring on the youngsters well. Still impressed that one managed to bolt a couple on the first trip

[NEWKID 27,208]

Well done on getting out mate, I wouldn't worry too much on the ferrets, they're hardy little things... If they're youngsters a few short trips like that will be great to get them going.

I've done a fair bit in North Devon, a mates in Torrington, and we've done a lot of ferreting up there, he says the rabbit numbers are down this year on his permo so we've left it be. Also got a lot of permission in Coombe Martin... Beautiful up there..

All the best

Kev

 

Might have got one in Combe Martin myself if all goes well. Farm has just been sold and the new owner isn't sure yet what rabbits are round but was up for it. Left my number but when I'm passing next I will pop in and check. Looking back on it with all the footprints round there must be a fair few about. landowner did say that they havn't seen them but I've counted 63 ish holes across the top hedgerow and looking at maybe 40 spread out in the trees, and that's only on half of the land. A few weekends out there at 2-3 hours a time should bring on the youngsters well. Still impressed that one managed to bolt a couple on the first trip

 

Nice one mate, I've not got up there this year, my dad ran a pub in Coombe Martin, so know a few of the farmers round there...

Good luck with the ferrets mate

Atb

Kev