Been Whittling All Day..........!

[Rolfe 2]

Although the rabbit season never really ends for me, it usually slows down enough for me to prepare for next seasons pest control duties before the Wasp season starts in earnest. So i have been dodging the showers and preparing a new batch of purse net pegs......some for new nets, and some as replacement pegs for those that are worn or damaged. Being a traditionalist i utilise natures wild harvest and cut all of my purse and long net pegs from green Hazel.....it's easy to work with whilst in the green,but when dried and hardened will give many years of useful service before needing replacing.

The next batch of Talpex traps are already outside weathering........as is the next Drop-Box trap prior to installation in some rabbit proof netting that i have yet to install on the golf course.

So there is always something to plan for and prepare in this job.......well it's not a job as such........more a way of life really......but for the sake of the tax man i better say it is my chosen profession Happy Day's.

[Guest MickyB]

Nice one rolfe, up to now ive been using cut hardwood pegs but i want to make some hazel pegs myself, as I already cut a load of sticks for my fox snare tealers.... and was wondering if I could drill a small hole through them near the top to thread the string through, or will this split the peg? I see you have cut a strip of bark near the top, im guessing you will tie your string round that bit, but wont you need to cut a deeper groove? As ive tried this before but the string will work its way off all the time... cheers Micky

[Rolfe 2]

Nice one rolfe, up to now ive been using cut hardwood pegs but i want to make some hazel pegs myself, as I already cut a load of sticks for my fox snare tealers.... and was wondering if I could drill a small hole through them near the top to thread the string through, or will this split the peg? I see you have cut a strip of bark near the top, im guessing you will tie your string round that bit, but wont you need to cut a deeper groove? As ive tried this before but the string will work its way off all the time... cheers Micky

 

Hi Micky,

 

I drill a hole about an inch down from the top to take the net draw cord, they won't split, but i do this when they have dried out a bit. The banded "groove" is just my way of marking my net pegs so i know the nets are mine, as sometimes on big contracts i have 2 or 3 other ferreters working alongside me and they like to use their own nets.....that way we can all identify our own nets at the end of the day.

 

Rolfe.

[gollum 1]

Hi Rolfe,

 

me too

 

 

 

seem to last well too, mine have had a good workout over the winter, and bar the odd one that I cut from wands that were a bit too thin, they are taking the strain well

 

Happy hunting.

 

G.

[bullxryno 21]

are they for the nets you fetched of me rolfe?? arent my pegs good enuff??? LOL

[Guest MickyB]

Nice one rolfe, up to now ive been using cut hardwood pegs but i want to make some hazel pegs myself, as I already cut a load of sticks for my fox snare tealers.... and was wondering if I could drill a small hole through them near the top to thread the string through, or will this split the peg? I see you have cut a strip of bark near the top, im guessing you will tie your string round that bit, but wont you need to cut a deeper groove? As ive tried this before but the string will work its way off all the time... cheers Micky

 

Hi Micky,

 

I drill a hole about an inch down from the top to take the net draw cord, they won't split, but i do this when they have dried out a bit. The banded "groove" is just my way of marking my net pegs so i know the nets are mine, as sometimes on big contracts i have 2 or 3 other ferreters working alongside me and they like to use their own nets.....that way we can all identify our own nets at the end of the day.

 

Rolfe.

Thanks Rolfe, thats good thinking and they look smart too. Il get mine cut to size and pointed this week, then store them, ill drill the holes in the autumn before the season really kicks off, hopefully they will have dried enough by then.

Cheers

 

Micky

[Rolfe 2]

are they for the nets you fetched of me rolfe?? arent my pegs good enuff??? LOL

Nah.....there for a lot I knitted last season........some with 1inch mesh for the small rabbits, and to replace some old worn out ones.......your pegs are fine

[bullxryno 21]

cheers mate!!