It's not what you know, it's who you know.

[Bleeh]

Yep, it looks like I've just gotten second-hand access to a few thousand acres. Bit of a funky story, so I'd thought I'd share.

 

 

It all started with my dear old mum mentioning I have ferrets to someone, who then wanted me to ferret her garden.

 

I agreed to do such a service for free, and traveled down to her house the night before (to check if it was even possible to ferret), but I couldn't find the place, it was getting dark quickly so I decided just to do it tomorrow, and I phoned and apologized.

 

The next day I turned up. Oh s.... was the first thing that came to my mind. Yes, there where rabbits in her back garden, but it was about as hostile as ferreting can get. A small warren of around 10 holes situated underneath a massive pile of old metal, fence, and compost, with at least half of it fenced off, with nettles growing at least 1 meter high. I will be honest, If I had seen this the day before, I would of told her it wouldn't be practical and not done it.

 

But, I was there now and ferrets in hand, I got to work. First slashing down most of the nettles followed by a bunch of awkwardly placed purse nets, and the good ol' long net covering the rear which I couldn't see. (I could only get round one half, like I said). Placing the ferrets down, I ended up with a 5 bolts, 3 into nets, one slipped and was taken by the old .410 (I love that thing MC) and another managed to get entangled in the long net without me realising.

 

The problem I had with the warren Was it was a pain, the ferrets kept getting on the wrong side of fences, under places I couldn't reach, and I ended up finishing under a real fear I would loose one.

 

But anyhow, I stuck with it, and the results where alright, I could of ferreted the same warren again, but I said, I was going to loose a ferret if I kept this up. I then went to show the results to a lady, who, delighted, informed me that she had asked her neighbour (a GP who owns a 50 acre field for some reason) If I could ferret his land as well, and he was more than happy for me to do so.

 

At this point, the day was getting on (about 2.30) and I told him I'd have a look, but chances are I wouldn't ferret an unknown warrens this late in the day, But I would next week, but I'd have a look around today and know my bearings.

 

So, I went for a plod around the field with my 12b, and saw a lot of damage, but perfect ferreting embankments. With my walk around I managed to bag 3 rabbits and a couple of pigeons, with a lot more rabbit movement, which should give some good results, on the way back to my car, I saw a fellow looking at me with a vast interest from his driveway. At first I was a bit worried because I didn't know if there was going to be some form of disagreement, so I went over and said hello anyhow.

 

Luckily for me, the chap just moved in to the village, and said he was a shooting man himself, So I automatically invited him round for a days ferreting or so this weekend. Well, I've just gotten off the phone to him, and he's informed me that he's managed to secure around 1600 acres around the field I was going to ferret (and he's happy to share with me), and they where desperately looking for people the give the rabbits and pigeons a good 'mop up'.

 

There is one wood I was looking at with great interest, and I know that's going to be some primo roost shooting, and a few deer too!.

 

So, as I said, it's not what you know, but who you know, and share what you have, because you never know what you'll get back!.

Edited November 26, 2009 by Bleeh

[gyp]

Good work, just goes to show what you can get by being nice to other people.

[kev 1]

Happy days....

[bigstevouk]

Sweet, always pays to be polite......