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Bobtheferret

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Everything posted by Bobtheferret

  1. Bobtheferret
    Well do mate, good footage. Would love for holes that open and with that many rabbits in them. Fleet looks like he has a lot of potential hope he does you proud
  2. Bobtheferret
    The boys age is second to the fact that reading between the lines you neither have the money to buy or look after the dog, if you can’t afford £200-£300 to buy that dog then you can’t afford the vets bills if it hurts itself, decent food etc. People should not own dogs unless they can afford to look after them properly and what you’ve written on here doesn’t fill me with confidence...always a bad sign when someone’s primary concern when buying a dog is that it’s cheap.
  3. Bobtheferret
    Well done mate, some cracking bags there.
  4. Bobtheferret
    Bloody hell!!!!!! Serious volume of rabbits there, must be 75 there or more. All caught by the dogs or nets? Still some big populations around then.
  5. Bobtheferret
    My bloody whippet doesn’t just flush them he catches the damn things! Mainly hen birds just sees that flash of brown and he is off little f****r.
  6. Bobtheferret
    Good for you mate. Nothing like that excitement of getting a new perm with loads of rabbits on it and one with a landowner that supports long dog use even better! Enjoy it.
  7. Bobtheferret
    I think nature fills a void and with numbers lower (also October was dry warm) they are breeding for longer. With less competition for the best feeding and warrens they can breed longer I saw to chasing each other in what looked like a mating dance last weekend and caught loads of half growns in October (if they were unharmed by dog or ferret I let them go to grow). I noticed the few does I shot in the summer (I try to leave them alone but some land owners insist so I show my face) had 5/6 kits whereas a few years ago 3/4.
  8. Bobtheferret
    I think in answer to your original question you probably do have RVHD disease in Kent, I think it’s pretty widespread across most of the country. There are still rabbits around in most parts I think from what I’ve read and seen but just nothing like the numbers. Picked up a new permission recently 1300 acres used to be riddled but now just pockets but I’ll go catch a few and just enjoy being out. Good luck finding some rabbits!
  9. Bobtheferret
    Still a top day really mate, can’t ever complain at 24! Enjoy your write ups, well done for doing them although I must confess I feel envious after ready every single one! You are a very lucky chap to have the permission you have!
  10. Bobtheferret
    I have been told (although not personally seen it) that healthy rabbits drive the mixi ones from the burrows which is why you often see them on top of the warrens rather than below ground.
  11. Bobtheferret
    Because if you are ferreting an area that is due to be shot the next day then your presence could push birds away to other areas causing fewer birds for that drive or even worse if you are not in communication with the keeper and just turn up and start ferreting an area that is due for a drive that day that could ruin a whole drive by being in the way! People pay £1000’s of pounds sometimes for a days shooting and it’s the keepers job to make sure they have a good day so they won’t just let anyone come on the land. Keepers don’t really care about rabbits generally as to them they don’t really
  12. Bobtheferret
    I think (hope?) that rabbit numbers will turn around, when people are going out not catching much they will lose interest and leave them be. Equally if they aren’t damaging crop etc then farmers will also not bother getting them dealt with. History, and evidence from NZ and AUS, suggests that immunity to RVHD2 will devolop. Once these things happen coupled with the rabbits amazing ability to reproduce they will be back in something approaching good numbers but...it may take a few years or even decades ??.
  13. Bobtheferret
    Superb pictures and ground to match, I know you travel to get there but it’s worth it looking at all your pictures and size of your hauls.
  14. Bobtheferret
    If it’s anything like round my way neither the farmer or the keeper actually own the land but someone who may not even live on it. The keepers are normally the ones that decide who is allowed on for ferreting shooting etc as if you ruin a shoot day by ferreting in the wrong place it’s his job on the line. Ask the farmers for the keepers number if this happens and talk to them direct about doing areas away from pens and drives or as said doing it in February or March once shoots over. Good luck getting some permission ??
  15. Bobtheferret
    Don’t think it matters really as long as he is doing his job and has a good temperament. I’ve got an 18 month KC to non ped very pleased with him so far on the whole.
  16. Bobtheferret
    Sorry to hear this Phil. If it’s any consolation I am betting that few working dogs enjoyed as good a life as she did and it sounds like you did right by her at end. RIP Dusty.
  17. Bobtheferret
    I am in the south and numbers are definitely significantly down on even 2 years ago and I am positive it’s RVHD 2. There are still rabbits around in some spots but some farms I used to catch 50 even 60 rabbits in a ferreting session now have very very few left, I never hammered it either yes I caught a lot but would leave some for breeding and for 20 years had good success despite mixi and keepers shooting but now hard work getting 4 or 5. I am really hoping that like mixi and RVHD 1 they will build up a immunity and it won’t be to long before they pick up. The permission I have now I never ta
  18. Bobtheferret
    I think rabbits do definitely sometimes use holes at night and then go back to different warrens once they have finished feeding for the night. As Fred said above I think in general most of us are struggling for numbers a bit at the moment, let’s just keep fingers crossed rabbits do what the do best and numbers soon pick up but I fear it may take a few more years of scratching around.
  19. Bobtheferret
    Fair play to you for putting the footage out even if things didn’t go to plan, it doesn’t all time! That’s why it’s called hunting not catching! Still a nice bit of footage. Are you generally struggling for rabbits a bit around you? I was out most of Saturday for 3 but big warrens that a few years ago would have had dozens in...makes it hard going when the holes are still there in numbers but the rabbits aren’t! Keep putting the footage up it’s alway good to see.
  20. Bobtheferret
    Look like some impressive dogs mate, what are the wolfhounds crossed with?
  21. Bobtheferret
    Nice film that mate, well done. A thought on only bolting 4 the grass being cut could’ve have spooked a few but wouldn’t think it would make to much difference. What might have made a difference is were you just using the kits or did you have any experienced adults?? I know when I am entering kits they will miss rabbits for sure could be they left a few down there??? Unusual to get a vicar (black rabbit) unless the population is fairly high. Good luck with the kits showed plenty of promise.
  22. Bobtheferret
    Look like top pups well done, any pictures of the parents? What’s the breeding? Atb.
  23. Bobtheferret
    I just use a folding Stanley knife, change the blade whenever it loses its edge means you always have a razor sharp blade for gutting etc and if you lose it not the end of the world. A expensive knife is nice but nothing stays sharp for ever and always the chance of losing it when out ferreting or lamping etc.
  24. Bobtheferret
    On bbc news this morning also, with photos and it’s clear that it’s mixi from the eyes etc. Think the virus has done what viruses do and mutated I thought last year that mixi was especially harsh on the rabbits round my way and looking back I think that was probably a sign of a new strain. Hares having no immunity (unlike rabbits who have been dealing with mixi for 70 years) could be wiped out. In 1953 when mixi was first introduced rabbit populations fell by 95-99%....sad times ahead with RVHD also causing carnage to rabbit and possibly hare populations, all man done as well. Sickening.
  25. Bobtheferret
    That’s low mate, hope you either get them back or find some good replacements.
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