"Can 'The Ton' be done? "

[D Lloyd 2,790]

I’ve loved lamping for as long as I can remember and there’s nothing better than lamping with good mates. When I was told about some new ground where the farmers were desperate for some help to control their rabbit numbers, I knew right away who to ask to come with me. Daz and Pritch may live eight hours away but are as keen as me and have some very handy dogs. So the calls were made and the date was set. There was one other friend who we wanted to have along but sadly he had to drop out at the last minute, a real shame as we missed both him and his keen dog. So the troop was made up of me with Caled, Daz with his bitch Ruby and Pritch with his two Riley and Roo; Roo being a half sister of Caled; a much smaller animal, but with the same innate drive. A good bunch of men and dogs.

 

 

 

Once we were all packed up- lamps, batteries, rucksacks, rabbit carriers, slip leads, etc. etc. - we set off. It was a long old drive but we were excited to see lots of rabbits on the way. On arrival there was a quick walk for the dogs then we settled in to our home for the next three days. It was a comfy, warm place, which is just what you need after a hard night’s lamping. Bags were unpacked, kit checked over and we did a quick recce of the land to ensure there was no stock in the fields. Then back to the digs for some rest and to give the dogs their ‘pre-lamp’ meal for the evening.

 

 

 

Time to go; we loaded the dogs into the van at about 10.30 and off we went. Lots of rabbits could be seen when we pulled up so out we get, rucksacks on, rabbit carriers in pockets, armed with our gut hook knives (to save a bit of time), dogs on slips and a quick walk to watch each others dogs in action. To say they were looking sharp would be an understatement. We soon split up to get things moving faster. After a few fields we could see this was not going to be an easy night for the dogs. There were hundreds of holes which the rabbits were dropping down into as soon as the dogs got close. Due to the amount of rabbits the fields were like running on a golf course, the grass was so short and to top it off the wind had died off completely, so getting close to the rabbits was not easy. However, we did our best, as did the dogs. Pritch ended that first night with Roo catching 19 and Riley getting 8. He was more than happy with his dogs’ tally as we had so many things against us that night. Daz was off on some land that was no better than mine or Pritch’s but he was where the rabbits were causing the most damage so they needed to be hit hard. He did well - taking 39 off that spot with his bitch Ruby. I was running some land nearby with Caled. It was fun and games on this land and he worked hard for his tally of 43. I was made up with this as it made a total of 110 on the first night, plus one happy farmer! Got the dogs home and gave them a rub down and a good feed. Caled slept stretched out on my best lamping coat – he deserved it after the night he’d just had!

 

 

 

Night two and things were looking up. We were sent to another problem area with tonnes of holes but tonight’s conditions were much better, blowing a gale and pitch black. We surveyed the land; some steep hills, some flat, fast fields, the steeper ground being near the sea. Again we split up. After a few hours Daz and Pritch met up at the van with their rucksacks bulging. I had told them their bags would be too small for this trip so it was lucky they had the carriers I made for them in their pockets. They dropped off their rabbits and gutted them with their new gut hooks. The dogs had a quick breather and a drink, then were back out. I had a much larger rucksack with me and a few carriers besides so I decided to push on for more. I was gutting the rabbits as I went to lighten my load. Caled was on fire, adapting nicely between the fliers on the flats and the sneaky stop-and-start merchants which ran over the mounds to hide. This tactic was mostly to no avail as Caled sticks to them like glue out of the beam and often they would come back over the tump just in time for me to see the pick-up. After walking miles for the van I decided enough was enough. Caled was more than up for staying out but I couldn’t carry any more, so moved off with Caled walking free by my side, a full rucksack and 16 rabbits over my shoulder on the carrier. The carrier did make things much easier but I must have lost one of them along the way so had to improvise. I got out my Pocket Hook and legged the rest of the rabbits, putting them on the slip lead and dragging them behind me.

 

 

 

I got back to the van some time later and met up with the lads. After a quick chat I helped them gut the piles of rabbits they had while the dogs had another drink. Then off we headed in different directions again. A few hours passed and before I knew it I was back at the van for the second time, once again fully loaded. Daz was sat in the car with Ruby. I asked how she had done and he replied “I’m done for the night – she’s got 50”. I said “Well done, mate, that’s some dog. Is she okay?” He replied that she was fine. I thought to myself “He thinks he’s finished for the night!” He asked how I’d done and I was over the moon to tell him that Caled had caught 71 altogether. “That’s some dog”, Daz replied, “The best I’ve ever seen.” I had to stop myself smiling too much, but it was very nice to hear. Next thing, here comes Pritch out of the dark with another good pile and says he’s left even more down the track. “Bloody hell!” I thought, “We need to have a count up”. We counted and discovered that we were only 17 rabbits short of 200. I talked them into going for it, saying “We’ll take it easy, stay together and go run-for-run so the dogs get a breather in between”. Daz and Ruby went first. Ruby nailed it on the third or fourth turn; she’s some bitch. Pritch and Roo were up next; we walked for a while but no more rabbits could be seen. Me being me, I turned to Daz and said “Sod this, it’s too slow!” and I was off on my own.

 

 

 

Bear in mind we only wanted another 17 between us… well, an hour soon flew past and I was once again miles from the van and the rucksack was feeling mighty heavy. This time I didn’t gut them as I went because I wasn’t looking to fill the bag. I thought, “Let’s see what I’ve got” and emptied the bag. When I saw I had another 9 I realised that, even without whatever the others were getting, we were really close to the 200 mark. I searched the sky for the other lads’ lamps but could see no sign. I guessed they must have gone back to the van, understandably I must add, as it was hard on man and dog. I told myself that was plenty for Caled and put the rucksack back on and started walking. Caled, however, had other ideas and tore off in the dark. I put the lamp on to see him closing in on another rabbit. Bang! He nailed it. I began to think sod it, you hear loads of lads asking if the ton can be done with one dog and I always doubted it but now I’m thinking… maybe? The dog was fine and the cold wind was doing a good job of keeping him fresh. Just 19 more needed.

 

 

 

I set off on the flat land as it had more rabbits, although they were harder to catch because of the holes. I knew the numbers would be there. Big mistake. Rabbits, yes, but all dropping in as soon as the dog went down the beam. It took what seemed like forever to get just 9 more. Dawn was fast approaching and I began thinking I was going to run out of darkness. I left that spot as all the rabbits had gone down by now. I found another spot where the ground was rough and rocky but I could see a few rabbits in the distance so I headed towards them as fast as I could. By now I was really feeling the weight of the rabbits. Caled soon picked up 6, but I was still concerned about the light. “Right, I only need four for the ton. I’ll head back and surely I’ll pick up four on the way”. As I got to the top of a bank I could see that this was not going to happen – the sky was getting far too light. I dumped the bag and ran off down the hill, some might say like a madman! I was desperately searching for the last few. Caled managed a good hard catch then dropped it and it went straight down a hole; I could not believe what I was seeing. I still needed four.

 

 

 

I could see no more rabbits down at the bottom of the hill so tried to run back up. Almost to the top and he caught two, one after the other. “Only two more now!” Back on the flat ground, he quickly got another. I sneaked up to a large warren with the lamp off, hoping to surprise a few. It worked and Caled got one before it made it home. He held it at my feet. I knew we’d made it and hit our target; Caled didn’t. The daft bugger took off after another! I didn’t even get the lamp on it before I heard it squeal. “Why couldn’t you have done that half an hour ago?” I asked him. No reply. I started walking back toward the bag I’d dumped. Caled started off after another rabbit. I’ve never been so glad to see my lamp battery die! He still ran the rabbit but it got in a hole. I could see this clearly even without the lamp - it was that light by now.

 

 

 

I got to the bag, saw to the rabbits and loaded up the rucksack. Caled and I then had a short rest before starting the walk back to the van. It was now properly light and Caled ran every rabbit he saw on the way back. Daft sod, he really doesn’t know when to stop. I got back to the van at 6.50am. We had started out that night at 10.30pm. Daz was fast asleep in the van. Pritch asked where I’d been. While he was out with Roo she’d gone over a 30ft cliff edge. It was a miracle she was not only alive but barely hurt at all, just a few bruises. After he had got down to her and checked her over she walked back to the van with no problem, even trying to get off the slip to run another rabbit! That could have ended very badly indeed. I asked how she’d done before her accident. I was amazed to find out she’d done 49. At this point Daz woke up, cold and grumpy. To be fair to the lads they had been waiting ages for me. I asked how he’d done and he replied that he had 62. “Fantastic mate! She’s a cracker” I said, and then “I got 101”. Despite their tiredness I could see how happy they were for me. Now we had to get home and get the dogs fed and settled for the ‘night’. As we drove back I did the maths and shouted to Daz “You’re the only man I know that got 231 rabbits in one night and was still grumpy!” I think I’ll be reminding him of that for many years to come.

 

 

 

Night three. The weather was spot on again, blowing a gale and black with the odd downpour of rain. We had given the dogs a good walk during the day; they were all carrying minor injuries but nothing to worry about as were only going out for a couple of hours. We were on a new spot of flat land with very short grass. There were plenty about so we split up again. A couple of hours soon turned into a few more but none of us wanted to overdo the dogs. Plus, we had an early start on a long trip home the next day. Pritch was first back to the van; he was only running Riley tonight after Roo’s bump the night before, but still managed to get 15. Daz was lamping a few fields up from me so I thought I’d get back on the track and head up to meet him as I had plenty. I could not find the ‘Off’ switch on Caled, just like the last two nights, so I kept the lamp off and kept him to heel. I started the walk up the track and met Daz coming out of the gate. We got back to Pritch, did a quick count and gut on the rabbits. Daz and Ruby had got another 26. Caled and I had another 40, making a total of 81 rabbits. Not bad for a short night. Our grand total for three nights was 412. Well done dogs!

 

 

 

Before I go, I think some readers may like to know the breeding behind the dogs. First there’s Pritch’s ‘Riley’ who is a Plummer Lurcher. His bitch ‘Roo’ was bred by me from my old Collie/Grey x Bull/Grey bitch (‘Blacky’) back to a first cross Whippet Greyhound. My dog ‘Caled’ I also bred out of ‘Blacky’ back to her full brother ‘Zak’, who was another fine dog. Daz’s ‘Ruby’ was bred from a long line of Lurchers called Minshaw. Her sire was ‘Chester’ and dam was ‘Lass’.

 

 

 

That’s it from me for now. Hope you enjoyed the trip as much as we did!

[Tiny 7 1,694]

[dazzz 421]

well mate i can honestly say that is a very honest and accurate account of our fantastic trip down to the

finest detail (and yes i was a grumpy fecker).

 

Very happy memories that i certainly wont forget. like i said to both you and Pritch after the first night "can the ton be done" and both of you

said no how wrong we was, it's the 1st time ive heard of it being done since Vic Minshaw claimed to have done it with Blue many moons ago.

im just happy i waqs there to wittness it......

 

but guess what the only thing is you got wrong??? the final total, infact it's a coincidence that i only found it in the car today, i had forgoten i had written it on the way home with the tally for each dog and the total was........................424.

 

cracking read mate when's the book?? (is it after our next trip??)

[whippet 99 2,613]

whens the pups due.............................!

edit to say well done men and dukels

[dazzz 421]

whens the pups due.............................!

your to late mate ALL GONE!!!!

[RETIC80 11]

Thats some going lads, bloody well done!!

[whippet 99 2,613]

what did you do with all those rabbits if you dont mind me asking...............

[dazzz 421]

what did you do with all those rabbits if you dont mind me asking...............

EVERY LAST ONE BROUGHT BACK AND MINCED FOR THE DOGS/FERTS THEY WASNT FIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION BUT DIDNT GO TO WAIST

[jack68 628]

good read and picks lads and well done that land does hold a lot of bunny, or should i say it did if i am correct not long after you lads had been there two other lads did the 100 bunny nights lamping and then the gun lads took the rest...

[dazzz 421]

good read and picks lads and well done that land does hold a lot of bunny, or should i say it did if i am correct not long after you lads had been there two other lads did the 100 bunny nights lamping and then the gun lads took the rest...

SO I HEAR, AND DUMPED EM THERE (NOT THE DOG LADS) cant see the point in that think i heard it was 500 or so??

[harerunner 10]

What a read fair play lads hats off to you all dogs ran there legs off and did you's proud

[paulf 820]

f*****g brillient post dai well done to men and dogs never seen anywhere near numbers like that hope to one day ,just to say that iv seen caled in the flesh certinly looks a fine dog all the best for the rest of the season lads..

[nothernlite 18,023]

no bad for interlopers lol

[dytkos 17,533]

Well done once again dogs and chaps and a superb write up - Lesley :laugh:

 

Cheers, D.

[torchey 1,202]

Cracking read mate and well done to all of you and your dogs