Andy17 Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 hi all, I have been asked by the farmer on one of grounds to tackle a warren at the bottom of a large rape field that borders a large pasture field. The warren must be approx 100-120yards long and 15-20 yards wide(following the border between the two fields) and covered with holes. At both ends of the warren there is approx 30 yards gap then more warrens (smaller ones). Now comes the problem. I only have about 100 yards of longnets (3 separate ones 25, 25, 50) and around 45 purse nets. I understand I probably dont have enough nets to cover the warren properly but I have to show some willing to try it as we spotted 30-40 rabbits on the lamp sitting out on the rape field alone. I am assuming with a warren this size that alot of rabbits will hole hop, if this is the case where should I concentrate the nets (both purse and long). I usually set the longnets out in a horseshoe shape using two nets to cover either ends, circling to warren fully, the purse nets only get used when hole hoping starts and then they get put over the main well used holes. I can't see the point in capping both ends of the warren or running the nets in a straight line parrallel with the hedgerow as I can't see the rabbits bolting out into the middle of the fields if they have 100 yards of holes to run to. But I could be wrong. Any ideas as to how i can at least give it a go?. Sorry for the long post just trying to lnclude every detail for you all. All the best Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 Firstly, I must say I have always tried to avoid big long warrens. They can be hard work , for little return. Try to get some extra help and purse nets. The rabbits rarely run from the warren, but hole hop and I net up with that in mind. Looking at the warren as though it is a long oblong (like a letterbox), we have put a short longnet across the left end, then set as many purse nets as possible, then set a short long net across the warren. Creating a netted section. Move along the warren like this, lifting and setting purse nets as you go. Keep an eye where you have been, incase a rabbit runs back and a ferret appears behind you. If you have enough longnets, then put one across the far end of the warren and a few in between. Its almost more important to keep contact with the ferrets on a big warren, than get the rabbits. If you are not vigilant, it is very easy to lose a ferret, extra hands are essential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 I agree with Cranfield....a massive warren is very daunting.....with lots of holes they will not bolt..and appear and go strain back to ground... Me personally.......if humanly possible....I'd lay as many purse nets as possible...you 'll probably back-net a good fiew if all the holes arn't covered...so make sure they are well pegged... I would also use team of ferrets perhaps a couple entered at each end slowly working towards the middle. With a warren that side the rabbits are more than likely going to you ferrets the runaround...but don't they say "he who dares Rodders.......................he who dares"................ Its going to hard work........if you're working that many ferrets you'll want some extra man power to do it properly....at least 2 or 3 extra bodies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirky640 Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 all of the above and take the shot gun for any escapees!!!! shooting bolting rabbits is very sporting imo cheers kirky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbob Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 Net round all the small buries and put your ferrets into the big warren and back net them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiercel Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 Andy, There is a trick you can try. That has worked for me in the past on warrens that were either too large to net effectively or just to dammed awkward to net at all. It involves pinecones and Creosote. Soak you pinecones in creosote for a few days. Then use them to stink out the warrens. What usually happens is the rabbit will temporarily vacate the warren in favour of a far less smelly one. That is the time to hit them, when they are in the smaller warrens. Far easier to manage. Tiercel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy17 Posted October 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 Thanks for the advice guys, Going to have to pull in a few extra hands to help on this one. As said in the first post its more to show willing than to get great bags (although that would be nice). Tiercel, interesting idea, for a warren the size I mentioned how many pinecones would I have to put down and is it just a case a dropping them down the holes??. What about maybe the day before putting the pinecones down say 40-50yards of the warren and marking where I put them down, then the day I ferret it I could pay less attention to that end and net the remaining 50-60yards?. All the best Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiercel Posted October 27, 2006 Report Share Posted October 27, 2006 Andy, The way I have used them in the past. Is to stick the cones down the holes here and there all along the warren. Try to pick the up wind side of the warren, as the smell of the Creosote will go through the warren quicker. What you are suggesting about only stinking out half a warren. I have never tried that, never even thought about it. Although thinking about it now, I would not like to put ferrets into a warren that is smelling of Creosote. Another thought is, can you buy Creosote now? They used to sell it in B&Q, Wilcos etc; I have not seen any for a while now though. Could THIS be the reason why? Oh well back to the drawing board Tiercel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted October 27, 2006 Report Share Posted October 27, 2006 Tiercel.......what a good idea...never even thought of that before........ ...better still......................use Cylag...buts thats no fun!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy17 Posted October 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2006 Good point tiercel I'm not sure they sell it anymore, but then I haven't gone out looking for it in a while. I will take the shotgun to pick up any that miss the nets and a camera for when I miss the rabbits. Might have to pull in a few PW members with longnets for extra help. All the best Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted October 27, 2006 Report Share Posted October 27, 2006 We lay up to 200 nets at times and work one end of the warren to the other. Leave all nets down as there is a very good chance of back netting. Creosote idea is difficult as its been banned now but there must be other chemicals that will do. Remember you don't want to get all the scuts as you will have little or no sport next season LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbob Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 Why would you want to walk all over the burrow putting purse nets down it might encourage them not to bolt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy17 Posted October 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2006 hi all, I agree LB always like to leave the odd few about for next season. Think I will just give the nets a go and see what happens, trial and error etc. All the best Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer Posted October 29, 2006 Report Share Posted October 29, 2006 Andy, There is a trick you can try. That has worked for me in the past on warrens that were either too large to net effectively or just to dammed awkward to net at all. It involves pinecones and Creosote. Soak you pinecones in creosote for a few days. Then use them to stink out the warrens. What usually happens is the rabbit will temporarily vacate the warren in favour of a far less smelly one. That is the time to hit them, when they are in the smaller warrens. Far easier to manage. Tiercel Diesel is just as good mate. This way you make everyones life easier it's brilliant and works every time. setting 100+ purse nets is no fun and you will get rabbits running your ferrets silly after trampling all over the set will only lead to 1 thing lye-ups everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy17 Posted October 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 hi farmer, I was thinking diesel as an alternative, going to try with the nets first, may suprise myself and do better. Was only going to lay the purse nets out on the bolt holes and main runs. all the best yis andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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