Ferreting today

[pointer28 1]

We went to a place last Tuesday on a recon mission and found the place riddled with rabbits and some lovely sets in the middle of green fields.

 

So, we packed up the van this morning and headed off in eager anticipation of a good days sport with my hob and 3 jills, spades, locators, the whole nine yards.

 

First set was in the middle of the field and we entered the hob and off he went about his business. After a few minutes a rabbit hit the net but retreated straight away and didn't get caught. Shortly after another hit a net at lightning speed and it pursed perfectly and rabbit number one was in the bag. After a wait of about twenty minutes there was no sign of any more rabbits and the ferret was staying constantly in one spot which we marked with a spare peg. Eventually he came out with blood on his face and we decided that he had obviously killed in the aforementioned spot and there was a rabbit waiting there for us so out came the spades and the digging started.

 

Did I mention there was a gravel quarry next door? Well, that will give you a clue as to what the digging was like, compacted gravel that was like chipping away at concrete, the deepest 3 feet I've ever had to dig and, of course, we couldn't find any rabbit when we got there. So, we entered the hob again to see would we find it and he continued to bolt two more rabbits from the now un-netted holes. The first one we were very unlucky not to catch and the dog nearly had him when he nipped into a hole across the field. The second one bolted when everyone was looking the other direction and was into a hole before the dog had ran ten yards.

 

Anyway, so now we want to gather up the ferret and head to another set. Yeah right, Mr. Grumpy Hob had other ideas and it was a big set and I think the rabbits were giving him the run around. I got the dead rabbit and had it at the entrance knowing that he would come to that and I could catch him. I turned around for a few seconds talking to the lads and when I turned back, yep you've guessed it, the bloody rabbit was gone and grumpy arse dragged him back into the burrow, my own fault and I'm sure I won't hear the end of it for a long time Next job, locate the ferret and dig both him and our only rabbit out and move on. If only it were that simple!! Same crack again, 3 feet of pure torture and no rabbit to be found but we got the ferret and backfilled and moved on.

 

Total score -1 rabbit, and two torturous 3 foot digs.

 

The next 3 sets drew a blank and we then we entered the ferret into the side of a twenty foot bank and he bolted a few that the dogs didn't catch. After a while it went quiet so I took out the locator to see where he was and all remained quiet. Not a tick out of the locator. Lots of head scratching and we got a new battery for the receiver as the collar batteries only went in this morning and all was still silent. Starting to get worried now as this place was huge and I had visions of camping out for the night to find my ferret. Eventually he surfaced and, horror of horrors, he wasn't wearing the bloody collar So lots of panicking and walking all over the field and swearing about the price of locator collars and eventually we found it in the last bury before this one right at the entrance, which is the first bit of good luck we've had all day.

 

To make matters worse our young whippet x greyhound bitch "Tara" walked into a barbed wire fence (yes walked, not ran) and tore her front leg badly which really took the biscuit FFS, she wasn't even chasing anything and mustn't have been blind not to see it.

 

We eventually packed up and went home with no rabbits, an injured dog and sore arms from all the digging.

 

Please tell me it get's easier!! Or maybe I should take up snooker!!

[mooster 1]

Bad luck mate!

You don't say how many were in the party but you story gives an image of a rather crowded and noisy affair which might be why the bunnies were reluctant to surface.

Don't be discouraged though.I ferret alone so thankfully nobody is ever there to see the cock ups I make!

Better luck next time,travel light and never talk!

[Guest Magwitch]

And i thought i had a bad day I made a few silly mistakes today costing us a few rabbits, thats the way it go's swings and aroundabouts.

[pointer28 1]

Mooster,

 

I know exactly what you mean mate about travelling lightly and not talking, sound advise. I have been ferreting a few years and learned those lessons the hard way.

 

There were 3 of us and we were only chatting and messing when we were digging etc not while the ferrets were working and I don't carry a whole ton of equipment, just a bag with nets, finder etc and a small spade. We leave all the other spades and stuff in the van and only go back for them if we need them, which usually isn't that often.

 

I'm only half-heartedly complaining about the whole thing. I love it and wouldn't give it up for the world, but today was so bad it was funny.

 

Tragedy + Time = Comedy

[Neal 1,873]

My morning was similar; reached one likely looking hole but was unable to net it as it was fairly large and I only had three small nets left in the bag. I considered swapping one of the larger nets I'd already layed but decided against it. Lo and behold: which hole did the sodding rabbit bolt from?

[stubby 175]

My morning was similar; reached one likely looking hole but was unable to net it as it was fairly large and I only had three small nets left in the bag. I considered swapping one of the larger nets I'd already layed but decided against it. Lo and behold: which hole did the sodding rabbit bolt from?

 

 

in times like that, use the shovel to block the hole/exit

[Malt 379]

My morning was similar; reached one likely looking hole but was unable to net it as it was fairly large and I only had three small nets left in the bag. I considered swapping one of the larger nets I'd already layed but decided against it. Lo and behold: which hole did the sodding rabbit bolt from?

 

It's always the same! Sod's law says if you miss a hole, then thats the one the rabbit is going to bolt from!

[Guest Frank]

..Not to worry lads you were out and doing your best.

Its not all easy, as some folk think, going out and getting a easy dozen, lovley chubly and all that, no, sometimes you can have bad luck.

You told it how it was P28, fair play to you.