Suffolk shooter Posted December 2, 2007 Report Share Posted December 2, 2007 I have to say a big thank you to Johnny for inviting me over to see him and help him out with the rabbit problem on the farm. Weather was a bit iffy this morning with lashing rain, but we decided to chance it and went out with four albino ferts and the guns to try and get a few bunnies from the mass of holes in the ditch/hedgeline surrounding the fields on all four sides. The field was big and we ony managed to do one end and half of one long side, but still managed a creditable 20 odd kills with the guns, plus god knows how many kills underground with the ferts. It was a little slow as the ferts kept laying up and oh, Johnny, I hope you got the fert back when you went back after I left He mentioned that the neighbouring farm had used a rodenator recently on the holes, but hell I don't think it even dented the population. Stick to guns and ferts and you can't go wrong. Nothing like shooting bolting bunnies, just damn annoying when they hole hop. and you can't even get the gun up Brought one bunny home and prepped it, its in the freezer now, awaiting a nice slow cook with cider and calvados, apples, onions after being quickly browned. Started off well, getting three for three shots and then it all seemed to go pear shape for a while, left of them, right of them, even managed one left and right but only shot the left one DOH. John, thanks for the day I really did enjoy it and good to meet another PWer. I'll PM free dates this week after I have checked with Mein Fuher. Oh and cheers for the cofee and mince pie. SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sussex Countryman Posted December 7, 2007 Report Share Posted December 7, 2007 Sounds like you had a good day SS. Trying to hit bolting bunnies can be a real ****** can't it? For those who don't know what a rodenator is see http://www.rodenator.eu/ but be careful, Defra says it is against the law to collapse burrows unless you have used "all reasonable means" to ensure the burrow is empty!! See http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countrysi...f/rodenator.pdf Wonder if antyone told them Little Owls sometimes nest in rabbit burrows and they are a protected species! Sx Ctymn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted December 7, 2007 Report Share Posted December 7, 2007 20 odd rabbits shot is a good result. I rarely shoot rabbits bolted by ferrets, my theory is that the resulting disturbance above ground stops some rabbits from bolting and causes the lay-ups. It would be interesting to see how profitable it would be to go back on a cold , frosty morning with long nets and a few purse nets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted December 7, 2007 Report Share Posted December 7, 2007 20 odd rabitts shot is a good result. I rarely shoot rabbits bolted by ferrets, my theory is that the resulting disturbance above ground stops some rabbits from bolting and causes the lay-ups. It would be interesting to see how profitable it would be to go back on a cold , frosty morning with long nets and a few purse nets. Thats what I was thinking. Dawn raid at stupid o' clock, silent approach, more ferrets that one man can handle. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny Posted December 11, 2007 Report Share Posted December 11, 2007 Glad you enjoyed it Jamie and thanks for giving me a hand with them, not been out since as been to busy. I will be going christmas week if you have any time off your welcome to come over just let me know. I must say may be it was the weather but the rabbits did not bolt as well as they normally do which is annoying but we gave them a fair bit of hammer as I looked with the lamp round the field and there are not to many rabbits left on that field now. As for netting the holes are not that good to get at and where I have cut the hedge back there's load of bits to snag the nets. so bolting the only way really and also is much faster I think. cheers john Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suffolk shooter Posted December 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2007 Glad you enjoyed it Jamie and thanks for giving me a hand with them, not been out since as been to busy. I will be going christmas week if you have any time off your welcome to come over just let me know. I must say may be it was the weather but the rabbits did not bolt as well as they normally do which is annoying but we gave them a fair bit of hammer as I looked with the lamp round the field and there are not to many rabbits left on that field now.As for netting the holes are not that good to get at and where I have cut the hedge back there's load of bits to snag the nets. so bolting the only way really and also is much faster I think. cheers john Nice to see we put a bit of dent in the population, I may well be up for a trip out over xmas, busy on 22, 25, 26, 27 and 29th although I finish work on 21st so 23rd, 29th, 30th all good. I'll bring the eldest next time if that's ok, as she'd love to help out, especially where ferrets are concerned as FB111 will tell you, we had trouble getting her away from the Welfare society stand at any number of game/country fairs. I have lost you number though Johnny, hence not phoning you. PM me it and we'll have a chat. Cheers SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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