Ferreting today

[badshot]

I was giving my polecat hob some exercise on his lead this afternoon when he dragged us over to the woodpile and proceeded to continue going mad at every nook and cranny. Couldn't find anything at all so decided he is feeling bored and wanted some action.

Thought i would take him out to a bury that i had seen three adult rabbits by the other night while lamping. So loaded the car up with all the gear and the family and went off to see what happened.

When we got there we knew there were only half a dozen or so holes but the nettles are growing with a vengeance now so had a bit of clearing to do with the billhook, that done we set the nets and put the collar on and checked it was working.

B***** didn't check the batteries after lending it out a few weeks back. Flat as a pancake. Good job we are only a few mins from home and a good supply of batteries.

New batteries and a working finder now so down the hole with him.

Few mins later and he appears out one the other side of the fence but goes back in.

It took about twenty mins for the first action and the rabbit didn't bolt properly so did'nt catch the net fully and went back down the hole again.

One little b***** got out of a bolt hole we hadn't found in the nettles (still don't know where it is) and proceeded to hop sedately across the field, think even i could have got it with the shottie.

So one returned and one escapee

Still the hob is working well and underground. Keep waiting.

Then i hear that rabbit squeal that we all try to imitate and don't really even come close to, he's bolted one to a net and caught it while in the net.

Uh oh the nets disappearing fast, is that peg in well?

Grab it and hold it just! Ruddy hell what have i got pulling this, a badger? :o

No just the hob and i can't believe how hard i have to pull to get the rabbit out with a sizeable hob attached. Thought the net was going to break.

That done we let him finish working and we have one young doe that won't be breeding this year now.

Filled all holes in before leaving so i will know when it is repopulated, which won't be long now.

We had an enjoyable couple of hours out in the sun, which is far better than the kids playing on the DS or suchlike.

And yes i do realise ferreting can be frowned on at this time of year but i lost half a field of wheat to rabbits last year and don't intend to this year.

This is only the second time out for this hob and well chuffed with his performance, i will be going again when i get time.

[ferret_men]

Any mth with a R in works for me and i was working mine right up till end of apRil to and never have a problem stung a bit from nettles and such but all good in the end,and its easy to ppl to frown apon things when they only keep ferrets for a part time thing as in every now and again i know my girls and they dont lay up or my big pole cat stinky he is like a tank just plods on and pushes them out.Anyway good luck and i fill them in to i had a fella shout at me for doing this once lol a passer by you know the type cute little bunnies what did they do to you your a murder etc i swear his wife went mad and they had no right to be on this land takes all sorts mate,good luck dan.

[Bleeh]

I wouldn't go as far to say ferreting this year is frowned upon, it can just be ''unproductive''

[ferret_men]

If i said this year i ment this time of year as i said any mth with a RRRRRRRRR IN IT LOL good luck

[badshot]

TBH not too worried about productivity just seemed a nice way to spend the afternoon in the sun with the family, doing something useful, and giving the polecat a bit of exercise and experience for later in the year.

 

The real rabbit control comes from the guns at this time of year as we all know but it is light too late in the evening to take the nippers out lamping and have them in a fit state for school next day.

 

I will say i think a couple of long nets might be in order to save having to clear so much. I have never used one so if anyone has advice on the best sort it would be appreciated.

 

Badshot

[ferret_men]

I agree 100% i am never happier neither is my 10 yrs old than when we ferreting waiting for that sound of them moving under foot watching my terrier marking waiting holding her breath almost,if we are in a wood or in a feild being blown all over the place by the wind rain etc its a great day i dont care if we did not get anything and neither dose he the banter between us makes a great day.

[Cranfield]

Sounds like fun badshot and its good to get out.

 

Ferreting when they are breeding can be hard work, with lots of lay-ups and the thick undergrowth to contend with.

However, rabbits are agricultural pests and there is no close season, so they are fair game all year round.

[badshot]

You are right on all counts Cranfield.

 

It was good to get the kids out and hopefully i will do it again soon. :blink:

 

When the undergrowth gets too thick i will leave it but in sheep grazed fields there is not normally too much about so there maybe the opportunity to do the occasional bit here and there.

 

Not sure if the hob is going to lay up as he shows no interest in them once dead, i think it is the chase which gives him his kicks. ( And i keep him well fed on skinned rabbit and pigeon ).

 

Long may it continue that we can do the vermin control that we do without too much interference. ( lost magpie yesterday though ).