Rabbits Above Ground??

[robcake 13]

Went out with the ferrets and dog this morning to a new permission that I have lamped a couple of times and is absolutely covered with rabbits. I was almost certain that a good bag would be taken. I ferreted 1 field set and 2 medium hedge rows and completely drew a blank! When out at night with the Lurcher the place is alive with them but I only seen one today jump into some cover. Would I be correct in thinking the rabbits could be living above ground in cover seen as we have had a mild autumn?

[McIntosh87 0]

Same here I drew a blank today I was gutted very strange!

[Mick C. 229]

Either that or somebodys been at them with the rimfire

[potpoacher 27]

I have had similar experiences, lamp it the night before ferreting, watch them bolt and go into the warren that you are going to ferret the next day and when the time comes you draw blank!!

[robcake 13]

I doubt It, would take an idiot to use live ammo around here

[robcake 13]

Yeah potpoacher, it's really threw me

[squab 2,875]

got permission full of warrens like that some just dont hold them during the day almost like emergency warrens for night time use,if theres as many as you say they are holed up you just got to find them,always handy to have a dog when ferreting to bush up the bunnies and put them to ground before the ferrets go in

[Giro 2,648]

Any stone walls ???

 

Did you not have the dog with you in the daytime ??

[robcake 13]

Loads of stone walls about, just had the lab out with me.

[Giro 2,648]

They will be in the walls fella

 

Got a bit like that. There are plenty on the night, hardly any sets..

 

Good dog will mark them in the walls.. Its good crack pulling them out

[robcake 13]

Do they dig under them or get in between stones? What net setups do you use or just the dog?

Cheers for the tip!

[Giro 2,648]

They can dig under them.. They live in the middle of the walls..

 

You can see some prominent exits and entry points.. You could try a poke net on..

 

We get a mark.. Dog and man either side..

 

Look through the little gaps were the dogs are marking an loosen a stone out and try and grab them.. Sometimes sit tight some times move about and it takes a few goes.. They can bolt aswell..

 

Lad on here used a long pin and lanced them..

 

Had some good hunts stone walling, got 13 once in a few hours

[robcake 13]

Cheers for the advice, I'll take the Lurcher with me on Thursday and give it a go!

[Giro 2,648]

Take a pal with you.. Makes it easier

[TOMO 26,141]

If your doing the walls alone,,, try to encourage the lurcher to stand on the top of the wall