Selling off

[paulus 26]

21 hours ago, Bakerboy said:

These boys are sometimes doing 300 miles round trip to put gear away, some want it at the end of the lane or wont bother, Ive always had to travel for sport if I didnt I'd do fck all as well ( not a dig at lads who dont travel )

I have done the miles over the years, for all types of sports. I always found something more satisfying when doing it on my own doorstep. Walk out the front door and within 100yrds i was on permission that stretched for miles and plenty without permission that went even further Lol All changing rapidly now though. 

[gnipper 6,411]

10 hours ago, The one said:

We used to go two hours each way for a days ferreting and cover a lot of miles , had 12 ferrets of my own could work all my mates ferrets as well now just got the 4 ive waited 3 years but theres still no sign of the rabbits coming back 

Our rabbits went probably 10 years ago and just starting to see the odd one about now.

[Bobtheferret 1,248]

10 hours ago, The one said:

We used to go two hours each way for a days ferreting and cover a lot of miles , had 12 ferrets of my own could work all my mates ferrets as well now just got the 4 ive waited 3 years but theres still no sign of the rabbits coming back 

I appreciate the frustration but you need to be patient, 3 years is absolutely nothing. It will take approximately 10-15 years minimum at a guess. I spent a lot of time researching about RVHD in Australia and New Zealand and it seemed to take around that to build an immunity and then rabbits do what they best! Same with mixi, I bet every ferret man in country gave up on rabbits after mixi and 20 years later (although mixi was still a blight on the poor coney) numbers where at good levels again. This is a long game for the rabbit man (or women) but for the money you’ll get now you’ll kick yourself if in 5-10 years time rabbits are there and you’ve got no gear and can’t get it anymore (as I bet you know deben don’t make them anymore). I’d stake good money that at some point (when I wouldn’t bet) that rabbits will make a comeback, they always have and always will they are natures great survivors and breeders along with the humble rat. Just why opinion but unless you need the money hang on to the gear. 

[Luckee legs 464]

1 hour ago, Bobtheferret said:

I appreciate the frustration but you need to be patient, 3 years is absolutely nothing. It will take approximately 10-15 years minimum at a guess. I spent a lot of time researching about RVHD in Australia and New Zealand and it seemed to take around that to build an immunity and then rabbits do what they best! Same with mixi, I bet every ferret man in country gave up on rabbits after mixi and 20 years later (although mixi was still a blight on the poor coney) numbers where at good levels again. This is a long game for the rabbit man (or women) but for the money you’ll get now you’ll kick yourself if in 5-10 years time rabbits are there and you’ve got no gear and can’t get it anymore (as I bet you know deben don’t make them anymore). I’d stake good money that at some point (when I wouldn’t bet) that rabbits will make a comeback, they always have and always will they are natures great survivors and breeders along with the humble rat. Just why opinion but unless you need the money hang on to the gear. 

Loving the optimism. Agree there was a time prior to RVHD when rabbits had less sensitivity to myxi. They'd often still get it but survive. Let's hope this type of tolerance builds to RVHD

Where I am in East Anglia I see a few pockets with reasonable numbers. Although where I have permission, bonanza days are gone and we catch 20% of even five years ago. Interestingly numbers typically build in summer and then catastrophically collapse but with no carcasses seen. Unfortunately some areas like ThetFord forest seem not to show any signs of recovery 

[Daniel cain 44,964]

I spent 10 yrs dropping live rabbits on some ground local to me...every little scroat with an air rifle has tried to hammer them summer hunting...the last 3 seasons I've enjoyed a few trips out local,not big bags 5/6 rabbits and I'm happy

[Bobtheferret 1,248]

17 hours ago, Luckee legs said:

Loving the optimism. Agree there was a time prior to RVHD when rabbits had less sensitivity to myxi. They'd often still get it but survive. Let's hope this type of tolerance builds to RVHD

Where I am in East Anglia I see a few pockets with reasonable numbers. Although where I have permission, bonanza days are gone and we catch 20% of even five years ago. Interestingly numbers typically build in summer and then catastrophically collapse but with no carcasses seen. Unfortunately some areas like ThetFord forest seem not to show any signs of recovery 

That’s it about the tolerance, last season on the best bit of permission I have every rabbit more or less had mixi scars. They had all had it and recovered, years ago that place would have been basically wiped out. 

That’s part of the change. I used to go out with 3/4 of us every weekend and getting 20 plus was literally a bare minimum and 50 plus a very good day but not unusual and now I mainly go on my own for a few hours with no nets and the dog and if we catch 6 I’ve had a great day. Very different days but both enjoyable, I’ve even got an agreement with a keeper and a couple of farmers that I won’t be taking more than a few as I don’t want to wipe them out just keep them at a level and to let me know if I am not doing enough as I don’t want to hit the ones that are surviving to hard. Hopefully the big days will return but have to make do with what’s there till they do. 

Agree about the weirdness of the hit also, certain places seem to be doing ok and not a few fields away baron! Bizarre, although my personal experience is drainage plays a part. These wet winters are hurting the rabbit and the places with managed ditches/good drainage etc are doing better.