Crow 1 Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 (edited) Last night I ventured out for my first proper lamping trip since my accident. I say first 'proper' trip because although I have been out twice before they were just for very quick walk-outs on land (very public land) where every Tom, Dick and Sally run their dogs. One of those trips didn't even produce a run, the other produced two runs with one catch which my dog retrieved to within a foot then put down - only for the rabbit to run off to safety. I could have slated her for this, but she's not a machine and that was the first rabbit she'd seen for about 10 months. Anyway, back to last night. Having arrived at my normal permission at about 9.45 I was just looking to get the dog a few runs. I didn't want (or expect) too much as not only am I far from able to walk numerous fields but my dog (Freyja) is about as unfit as I am! If I were to bag just one rabbit that had been properly retrieved to hand then I'd be coming home a happy hunter. Upon arriving at the land I parked my car on the edge of the first field, just behind some bails. This field normally produces a run but you can't fanny around getting out of the car; it has to be straight out, walk around the bails and immediately flick the lamp on. And that's just what I did to see a rabbit hoping across the stubble. Freyja saw it too and was off. She was quickly on the rabbit as it closed towards the hedge then she put in a lunge. The rabbit turned and ran down the hedge. Another lunge and another turn. Normally the rabbits on this land are hedge-divers, but this one must have been an immigrant because it ignored the hedge as it turned about a dozen times. I knew it would only be a matter of time and sure enough I saw Freyja's head drop and then heard the familiar squeal. She had it and I knocked the beam off. As I heard her approaching I flicked the beam on again. I normally don't do this but I wanted to make sure she brought the rabbit in to me. This she did and presented me with one very-much-alive rabbit: That's the rabbit I wanted in the bag - and we'd only been on the fields for 2 minutes. So off we went to the next field just for a look. A quick flick around and a sitter was spotted some way out so I slipped Freyja. Normally she is off straight up the beam but she seemed a little hesitant, maybe the long layoff was the reason, maybe she just couldn’t see it in the stubble. Either way I walked up the field with her as the rabbit sat tight. It wasn't until I was about 10 feet away that it got up, and that kicked Freyja into action as she chased it towards the hedge. It turned once then dived into the hedge followed by Freyja. Some people turn their lamp off if the dog is in the hedge, but I don’t, I prefer to keep it on so the dog can at least see what it’s running into! I could hear her in the hedge and just about see her so I followed her down the hedge. 5 yards down out popped the rabbit followed by Freyja who gave rapid chase to take the rabbit along the sodden track. This, again, was retrieved to hand, although she nearly went past me: This may have been because I had left the lamp on as I was pissing around with the camera but a soft call in and she soon came to hand. Rabbit number 2 was quickly dispatched and in the bag. Then it was a fair walk to the next field, which entailed negotiating a very muddy, slippery track – its quite hard to keep standing when you're trying to walk on one leg ;D Finally, knackered (and wet) I made it to the next field and flicked on the beam. Right out in the middle of the field was a sitter. I could hardly see it against the backdrop of the ploughed land, and if it hadn’t have been for the ruby shining brightly then I might have missed it. Again I slipped Freyja and off she walked slowly up the beam. I really believe that this has been the biggest affect of her time off the fields, as before she would, without hesitation, trot up to the point of the beam. Anyway, I walked up with her and once again the rabbit gave flight as we approached. It raced past me towards the safety of the hedge, both rabbit and dog disappearing into the distance. It was only then I realised how far the rabbit had been sitting out. Freyja stuck to the rabbit like glue, but unlike the others this one didn’t mess around going up and down the hedge, it dived straight in – followed by Freyja. She pushed it out just a few yards down and gave chase. I could hardly see the rabbit so was keeping the lamp jut ahead of Freyja as she jinked up and down the hedge a couple of times until she struck and I heard the rabbit squeal. Off went the beam and I waited until I could hear her getting close shortly after which she presented me with another very live rabbit: Three runs, three catches and three retrieved alive to hand – not bad for a dog that’s been off for near-on 10 months! Crow Edited January 15, 2008 by Crow Quote Link to post
Guest MOLLY Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 How did you find it Crow, back on the mend? She is a real bonny dog Moll. Quote Link to post
skycat 6,173 Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 That's a beautiful dog! I bet you were well pleased with her: and high as a kite yourself to be back out: how's the foot now? Quote Link to post
Nobby 65 Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 Agree with Molly nice looking dog 3 runs 3 catches cant be bad well done. Quote Link to post
stringer9 0 Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 well done. my dad is in similar circumstances with a dodgy leg and now we are also back in buisness again Quote Link to post
Crow 1 Posted January 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Thanks people Yes, even if I do say so myself I think she's a lovely dog. I have often described her as probably the best dog I've owned - I'm beginning to think I should drop the probably! As for my leg, its getting there although the ankle is still twice the size of the other and has very restriced movement (so wellies are out of the question ). But it is healing better than the surgean thought. He reckoned I'd still be walking with sticks in July of this year - I dropped them ages ago Anyway, out again tomorrow for some more open-air physio but this time with the ferrets. Love it! Crow Quote Link to post
Irish Lurcher 1,013 Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Sounds to me like you have a touch of the fighting Irish in you , well done on your session, and your bitch is stunning, keep at it mate. Quote Link to post
Guest MOLLY Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Marvelous news Crow. Just shows how the passion for hunting can overcome things most none hunters would still be house bound on the settee with Moll. Quote Link to post
Guest mush Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Top post Crow keep at it. Quote Link to post
SkeetChamp 0 Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Fair play you got a cracking looking dog there mate Quote Link to post
chester 147 Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 smart looking hound crow bet yer glad to be back in the field again. Quote Link to post
dytkos 17,818 Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Thanks people Yes, even if I do say so myself I think she's a lovely dog. I have often described her as probably the best dog I've owned - I'm beginning to think I should drop the probably! As for my leg, its getting there although the ankle is still twice the size of the other and has very restriced movement (so wellies are out of the question ). But it is healing better than the surgean thought. He reckoned I'd still be walking with sticks in July of this year - I dropped them ages ago Anyway, out again tomorrow for some more open-air physio but this time with the ferrets. Love it! Crow Your making me guilty moaning about MY foot! Good post and top pics. Cheers, D. Quote Link to post
Paul in North Lincs 15 Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 great news that your back on the mooch and the dogs still doing the bizz.....nice read an pics by the way Quote Link to post
Crow 1 Posted January 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 (edited) Your making me guilty moaning about MY foot! Good post and top pics. Cheers, D. Honestly mate, once you're told that you can't damage it any further then go for it. As Molly said, you won't recover sitting on the settee However, when you do get out there watch for interference when using the Mk1 locator Play's havoc when your mate is trying to locate the ferret and you're standing right next to him Crow Edited January 18, 2008 by Crow Quote Link to post
snoopdog 1,256 Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 good stuff crow ./... .....glad to hear your on the mend .... Quote Link to post
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