Gonna Shoot a Wabbit Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Hi All. Don and i were out with the ferrets again today, ably assisted by our YTS trainee. We arrived at one our local patches for 0900hrs, on a mild, overcast day. The usual discussion broke out regarding where to start and after a quick look at one of the boundary hedges don decided we were going to start on a hedgerow along the lane. Despite my protests we needed a longnet (don hadn't brought them ) as the hedge was too thick to use purse nets alone. Into the fray we went anyway. We quickly netted up the hedgerow and down went my albino at one end whilst YTS poley started at the other. Don was soon into the action as a bunny bolted on his side of the hedge which he neatly despatched. A little further along and another bolted on dons side of the hedge to meet with the same fate. YTS and i met in the middle so i boxed my albino to leave the poley to finish the hedge. A rabbit bolted on my side alas pulling the peg from the leaf mould before the net could purse i grabbed a handful of blackthorn as the rabbit made good its escape . we pulled up the nets and moved on 30yds down the lane and netted up the opposite hedge. YTS had gone for a wander down the hedge and pronounced it lifting with 'em so netting up began again. Once complete down go the ferrets 30yds apart with yts and i moving down the hedge in turns as the ferts finished that section. One bunny bolted again on don's side alas aged companion had a little 20yds sprint to catch it, catch it he did though not bad for 60yr old legs. That was the total for the hedge that was lifting with 'em B) . We stopped for a quick cup of tea during which YTS wouldn't stop telling us how happy he was with his ferreting hat, despite don and i telling him he looked a complete plonker as there are no wild Roo's in this neck of the woods nor crocs either he continued to parade up and down the hedge so will let you decide here he is with a fine little jill he had off me a couple of years ago. Don claimed to have spotted a rabbit dive into a set in a pond bank (hmm!!! geriatric eyesight this set was 200yds away??) so off we trudged in hot pursuit. True to form not a bunny in the place after netting up and running the ferts through. With lunchtime rapidly approaching we sent YTS off to net the next set whilst we moved the car and i cooked lunch. As the smell of best dry cured smoked bacon wafted through the air, soon followed by sizzling lincolshire sausages all was temporarily well with the world. Don and yts finished the netting off just as the cooking was almost done and with perfect timing we demolished a meal fit for a king washed down with my most excellent tea we were soon raring to go again. YTS was most insistent on taking my picture in full chef mode, though continued to wrinkle his nose at my mud spattered scruffy appearance no gratitude some people After alfresco bacon and sausage barms we attacked the next hedgerow don and YTS had so carefully netted up and yes you guessed it no bunnies at home . With time pressing on now we decided to do the last hedgerow of the day. We quickly netted up some 30-40 holes and down go the ferts. Almost straight away YTS's poley vanishes not to be seen for some time . With the locator indicating she was some 5 feet down i left don and YTS to reflect on their impending excavasions. You will all be pleased to know i hardened my heart and left them to it. I steadily made my way along the hedge and had soon winkled out another two bunnies and i was approaching the end of the hedge. i noticed a small pop hole we had missed whilst netting up As i placed a net over it cue chuffin' heart attack as a rabbit bolted and landed in my lap i quickly grabbed it (it was well pursed in the net ) to give me 3 more bunnies. I glance back to the other end of the hedge and dons excavasions are becoming impressive indeed, with a smug glow i pop my albino into the last section of the hedge. and wouldn't you know it almost straight away she must have caught one. i gave her 10 mins and when no sign of her moving the locator revealed her some 2 feet down straight through the hedge root system. Don came down with the spade for a breather and visibly wilted when i told him we had another dig. he had taken a few measly spitfuls of earth from the starting point when i took pity on him and took over. 10 mins later and some 2 feet of earth removed (only one root in the way phew!) i broke through to the ferret and removed the stuck bunny and when the rabbit came out the fert followed . With my ferret now safely boxed i went to see if could assist in the tunnel to end all tunnels, not since the great escape has so much earth been moved by so few and wouldn't you know it as i arrived at last they broke through to retrieve the missing ferret and with a keen ferreter at full arms length down the hole at last the rabbit was drawn from its refuge. I couldnt resist photographing this glorious moment and hope you notice the delicately placed spade to provide support and prevent premature withdrawal (OOOHHH that sounds rude :blink: ) The photo doesn't really do justice to the effort involved in getting that bunny but i think you get an idea of their efforts, glad mine was only 2 feet down. With both ferrets now safely boxed we called it a day, goodness it all came good in the end but not without some effort but i guess thats ferreting. Thanks for reading hope you enjoy the pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaggyRS6 Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Love it!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Dog Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Sounds like a cracking day. Great post, well done. Always good to see a man with a pan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rookie Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Great post! Really enjoyed the read! Cant wait untill i manage to get my hands on a fert... R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 I vote this best topic of the month Really good to see some propper English sporting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sten Ch Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 I really enjoyed reading your story! Excellent pictures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grasshopper Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 That was an excellent account of what sounds like a good day out GH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr lee Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 A cracking read and pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead-Eyed Duck Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Another exciting day - did you note the olde holey jersey that is my favourite attire when ferreting (must be 30 years old) As I was digging the foundations for the new channel tunnel I kept on putting my hands on some lovely young nettles on each side for support - you know - the really vicious-type ones. When I got home 'Er indoors said "Look at your hands - go get 'em washed ready for tea!". So, I dutifully trotted to the bathroom and hesitated, ready for the impending agony as my mitts were still warm from the nettle stings. I suppose it was was a bit like as a youngster when you have been snowballing and your hands are numb and mum says put them under the hot water tap to defrost. Well, the agony of doing that with the blood recirculating was just like washing my hands and the nettle stings bursting to life again. I uttered a yelp and put my throbbing hands under my armpits, and was whimpering with pain and hopping from one foot to the other when she appeared. "What's up with you?" she demanded, no doubt with hope of a quick cashing-in of the life insurance policy. As I started to explain she interrupted with a sniff - "Well I've told you that you're too old for that sort of thing now", and that was all the sympathy I got. A quick snooze on the couch after tea, and with my joints creaking from digging the hole, I got up very carefully in case my back broke in two. Looking at me with narrowed eyes she said (and wait for it) "I've told you to let Ade and Chris do all the hard work - they should be ashamed letting you dig that hole" Still, a good day with bone idle mates and a poor lunch with the only workers being myself and the ferrets. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROBLATCH Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 nice reading and a good day for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 well done lads, a cracker put me down for of them butties as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Good write up. Looks like a tidy dig as well. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonna Shoot a Wabbit Posted January 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Thanks for the kind words everyone, regarding don's complaint about his workload i will remind don of a saying he repeated to me often when i first met him as he mercilessly took the **** out of me on every occasion. (those who have met him know he likes nothing more than a good verbal tear up! ) NEVER GIVE A SUCKER AN EVEN BREAK!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyjaimz Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 I vote this best topic of the month Really good to see some propper English sporting Seconded! cracking post and great pictures. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanber1088 Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 I also agree best topic of the month Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ91 Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 nice one mate wish i had rabbits on my permission to ferret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kipper Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 well done chaps a good wright up good pictures and a cracking day had by all. even the rescued ferrets. did you come across any milky does or young bunnys? I have seen a few young bunnys knocking arround allready. cant wait to get out with my ferrets again thanks for shareing your experiance with us, pitty there's not more of these posts and less bickering. kipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead-Eyed Duck Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 well done chaps a good wright up good pictures and a cracking day had by all. even the rescued ferrets. did you come across any milky does or young bunnys? I have seen a few young bunnys knocking arround allready. cant wait to get out with my ferrets again thanks for shareing your experiance with us, pitty there's not more of these posts and less bickering. kipper Hi Kipper Only one doe had young, in very early stages. Gonna does a cracking write-up and it's always difficult to know if people will get bored - hence he tries to add pics to add interest. I've always found that ferreting is always fairly easy to come by as long as you use the magic phrase "We don't use dogs and no guns". Once the farmer is happy with you then you will hopefully progress to shooting rights. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kipper Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 Good advice D-E-D Keep up the good work chaps and keep the 1st class wright ups comeing kipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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