MORE LAMPING

[tote 856]

With the weather perfect for a spot of nocturnal wandering,strong winds and light rain, I was expecting to get a decent haul of rabbits tonight. I phoned one of my better permissions as far as rabbit numbers are concerned, and even though they've got a shoot on tomorrow I got told it would be all right to have a shine.

 

8pm saw Jimmy and I parking up in the lane and it was a short walk to the first field which was stubble.On with the lamp and the red filter picked out a ruby eye 30 yards away, Bob was slipped and what looked an easy catch turned into anything but. The rabbit turned him inside out before popping below the hedge.This was repeated a further 3 times in this field, Bob just didn't seem to be at the races.

 

The second field was grass and Bob was back on the pace taking 4 in a row before missing the last one, that was more like it. We went over the fence and into another grass field and Bob took 2 from 2, the first he picked up and we heard it squealing so I switched the lamp of and waited for him to bring it so far back.When I switched the light back on he'd dropped it and was coursing it at the far end of the field,luckily he managed to catch it again.

 

A similair thing happened in the following field,Bob missed the first 2 rabbits but on the 3rd he went down the beam and picked up a squatter. Well he did have it in his mouth for 3-4 seconds then it was out and running towards Jimmy and I, the rabbit ran in between us and down a banking into its burie.

 

Another 3 slips in the following field proved fruitless as did a further 2 slips on our way back to the lane. I don't know what was up tonight with Bob but he certainly wasn't on the pace, as usuall we got his obligatory "i'm away for a hunt up". He fecked off over a brow and we didn't see him for 3 minutes and Jimmy just stood next to me waiting for his return.

 

We had one more run and that was in the stubble field that we went into at the start of the session but again the rabbit got the better of the dog. It goes to show that just when you think you're getting somewhere with the dog and he's starting to show lots of improvement you can still expect an off night as they are not machines.

 

A few pics from tonight.

 

 

 

[undisputed 1,664]

your a braver man than me out on a night like this..pissing down and sleet as well.....well done mate what height is your dog he looks huge in the picture

[nighteyes 275]

good going, they will be there for another night

[Penda 3,341]

I went out last night had the same my dog was missing them on the 1 field then on the next field 4 1 after the other it does your head in sumtimes but its just sumthin i think we have to put up with they have good nights and bad nights

[Guest allroundhunter]

At least you get out and thats what its all about you take the good with the bad ahh an when its good its very good never mind lads theres always tomora and who knows what tomorabrings good luck lads and a merry christmas to all.

[tote 856]

your a braver man than me out on a night like this..pissing down and sleet as well.....well done mate what height is your dog he looks huge in the picture

 

He's still Jimmy's dog undi'.

 

Must be the pics that make him look huge mate as he's 25".

[tdavepat 8]

A good honest account of a typical night out. I have many a night like that. It never fazes me and I never let the dogs feel any disappointment. You're right, they are not machines and cannot be at a peak for ever.

 

They always try for me and don't miss on purpose so when things are not going to plan I sometimes stop slipping and do a wee bit of training and let them chill with a lamped walk.

 

Dave

Edited December 20, 2008 by tdavepat