Glass Half Full / Glass Half Empty?

[Nicepix 5,650]

Well, I'm more of an optimist myself. Always look on the bright side and I love doing mole trapping. But today, my glass, or to be specific, my bucket, was not half full or half empty, but totally empty. Four hectares of recently drilled grass and clover. Millions of molehills all following straight lines along the wheelings. Field looks like a map of the Underground. 43 traps set on Monday, a combination of Talpex and Flatpacks and I'm back today checking them and not having a good time of it. First seven traps checked for nothing. No wires up. No handles spread and no signs of moles tunnelling under. WTF???

 

Farmer comes into the field striding towards me and I'm doing my best to keep fifty metres ahead of him, speed checking the traps. Number 8 - nothing! Number 9 - nothing! Number 10 and he's caught me up and I'm still on a dry run.

"Hi Clive. How you going on?"

"Can't believe it John. I haven't had a mole yet."

"Ah. I have a confession to make. I checked the traps last night and saw some wires up so I went round and took twelve out."

 

Now, I know that in the past he has taken out moles and re-set the odd trap. But all 43?

 

I'd noticed a few weren't as they should have been but just after planting them there was a serious storm that lasted all night and there had been a lot of water put down. Some of it had washed soil into the trap sites.

 

Problem was that I had no idea where they had been caught and so couldn't assess whether to move any traps to make best use of them for the next two days. And I'd hoped to nick a few to help cover a second field that needed more traps than I had left. No chance of that when I don't know which moles I'd trapped. Ended up checking and re-setting all 43 traps with nothing to show for it.

 

My bucket and the farmer's bucket.................

 

[mole trapper 1,703]

Very very naughty! I would read him the riot act for that, I've had people/customers mess with my sets in the past and it seriously made my piss boil.

Just another good example of why you should never charge by the mole, they can't argue your bill when there's not a new hill to be seen.

[Rowan 308]

Me too, god that drives me mad , why get you in and then pizz about with your traps,,,AHHHH!

[Nicepix 5,650]

He's always followed me around checking on things. First time I trapped for him he followed me for about fifteen traps then walked back to his truck. Five minutes later he's at my side to tell me that the wires were up on the first two traps I'd set. Then when he sees wires up or Talpex activated on the day between my visits he thinks that by emptying and re-setting the traps we have more chance of catching more. What he doesn't understand is that a pro' mole trapper reads the traps and can figure out a pattern to be able to move traps or add some more. But he can only do that by checking the traps himself.

 

Don't get me wrong; he's a lovely chap and pays on the button. Even gets me more business by recommendation so it isn't all bad. In fact it is one of only two farms I do. I prefer doing gardens and only keep the two farms on because I like the customers. Just wish he hadn't meddled.

[Phil Lloyd 10,738]

Our job is all about communication,...and by that I mean,...telling the customer/client..how things are going to go down...

I am a fair minded, honest wee fecker,..and I've been a rabbit catcher for several decades.

Now, in my dotage, I only trap the mighty mole,.

However, my modus operandi is exactly the same...."You hire me,.you keep out of my fecking way",.end of story...

 

I am fortunate in that I don't need to pussy foot around with anyone,...however,...I would always request that customers do not touch my traps, wires, drop boxes, etc,...and if they do,.well,..go feck yourself and get someone else....

[Nicepix 5,650]

Our job is all about communication,...and by that I mean,...telling the customer/client..how things are going to go down...

I am a fair minded, honest wee fecker,..and I've been a rabbit catcher for several decades.

Now, in my dotage, I only trap the mighty mole,.

However, my modus operandi is exactly the same...."You hire me,.you keep out of my fecking way",.end of story...

 

I am fortunate in that I don't need to pussy foot around with anyone,...however,...I would always request that customers do not touch my traps, wires, drop boxes, etc,...and if they do,.well,..go feck yourself and get someone else....

 

Have you thought about a second career in the Diplomatic Corps Phil?

[Phil Lloyd 10,738]

Luckily,..mercifully,...I no longer need to kiss arse,...

 

It has taken a long while,...(a lifetime in fact),...but ,..I am my own man,....

 

It takes time, and it is fraught with danger,.but the end result, of speaking one's mind, is soooo,.satisfying...

[Nicepix 5,650]

I know what you mean. After spending most of my life in service industries where the customer is King I now please myself. If I don't like the punter they don't get another chance. I don't need the money or hassle.

 

Good innit?

[Nicepix 5,650]

Took another 8 out of the traps today so it looks like he's left them alone over the last couple of days.

[shropshire mole 190]

You know what it is like...............

 

You approach the trap in anticipation of a catch, two springs gone off, I still get excited to see what I have got, is it one or two, or has mr/mrs mole sussed me out and blocked the trap with soil, its exciting for me, so imagine its the same for the customer. If it is not exciting, then no point doing it

 

Luckily most customers keep well away, but do get the odd one who checks

[Nicepix 5,650]

I think it is more about getting value for money. A sprung trap won't catch until it is emptied and re-set. If he re-sets the trap it might catch again or so he believes. But, we all know that if it isn't put in right then it won't.

 

We've had 21 out of 43 traps up to now so he's got his money's worth

[Nicepix 5,650]

Ended up with 43 moles for 60 traps, two fields and his parent's holiday home. He took over half out of the traps and re-set them so I shouldn't grumble. Cheque is in the bank already and a lamb due after the next abattoir run. Job's a good 'un