Ferreting Turns Into Lamping

[Suzy Ross 236]

The day didn't go according to plan. I went ferreting, got as far as netting up the first hole and entered the ferret when my mum text that breakfast was on! It was my dads birthday and I clean forgot ha. Never mind, few curses under my breath, quick text back saying running late, nets lifted, dragged a reluctant Jasper back to the van, visit to the supermarket for a card, chocolates and flowers, sorted.

 

So lamping it was. The run of bad luck continued when a hare ran onto the road in front of me on the way to the ground, tried to avoid it but my old neighbour will enjoy it since i never got him any netted rabbits. What a waste of a good hare though, hate seeing them ran over or shot. Anyhow, jasper was right up for it after his false dawn that morning, pity the rabbits weren't in the same mood. They were hugging the hedges and fences, I never got there till close to 11 so wasn't too early. It's a bit of ground I've not lamped for a few weeks but they were definitely lamp shy, like someone had done it yesterday. Never mind, I'm no stranger to fence hopping myself.

 

Different tactics had to be employed cos as soon as the lamp shone on them they were off. First field was hopeless but at least it taught me they were skittish. Luckily the second field was separated from this one by a small coppice of trees. There is an un gated track wide enough for a tractor running between them. At times like this it pays to know your land well, where the rabbits normally sit, the lay of the land etc, luckily where I enter the field is the main place they head. I could hear a couple scamper and jasper was straining on the lead going through the coppice but these rabbits were safe and there was no way I was shinning the light till I was ready. We made our way out in the field a few meters from the gateway, I knew if there was going to be any rabbits they'd be out in front of us to the right. Making sure jasper was looking the right way I sent him out blind. I could just make him out heading in the right direction, after a second or 2 I shone the lamp...... Now I'd love you to think I'm some kind of lamping goddess and my prowess rewarded me with a carpet of rabbits gleefully bouncing about, waiting on Jasper to come along to take them to the promise land but as you've probably guessed, there was nothing, zilch, apart from one puzzled dog standing following the searching beam, the field was desolate.

 

Quick whistle he was back. Choices were, continue here and leave with nothing and a dog ready to disown me after 2 fruitless trips in one day or head to another piece of land 20 mins drive from here. It's actually the same farmers land but over the river, I opted for this, jasper agreed. On arrival several rabbits were seen as I parked up, good sign. I didn't bother putting him on the lead, I let him out, shone the light, he jumped the gate and quickly dispatched his first rabbit of the day, result. We went on to get 5 in total which isn't record breaking but after the day I had, I was glad to get anything for the dog. My old neighbour will be happy with the hare and thankfully plod didn't pull me and catch us with it, the laws just a joke. Thanks for reading SR.

[Tyla 3,179]

Good write up

[The one 8,524]

Aye nice reading

[Guest edrd]

top read

[BIGLURKS 874]

Good write up that just one thing why on earth did you get your old man flowers for he's birthday lol mine would just look at me funny if I brought him flowers

[Blind Hawk 57]

Good one worked out in the end

[Snifferboy 659]

Enjoyed that, thanks for sharing.

[Suzy Ross 236]

  On 04/11/2013 at 23:54, BIGLURKS said:

Good write up that just one thing why on earth did you get your old man flowers for he's birthday lol mine would just look at me funny if I brought him flowers

So did mine pmsl. It's all I could think of, Sunday morning, only £10 in my pocket, running late, card, chocolates and flowers near the entrance ha. He just gave a wry smile, thanked me, said to my mum, these are for you and the chocolates are mine lol.

 

Thanks everyone for the kind replies.

[Suzy Ross 236]

Not long in from lamping, got 11 altogether.