Ratreeper 441 Posted September 28, 2006 Report Share Posted September 28, 2006 I picked up 3 new gills on tuesday from metlon mowbray and today took them out for the first time to see how they are. 2/3 seem pretty tame but one had to stay at home it was too nippy for now. I took my new air rifle out for the first time too (falcon lighthunter 8W) and about 15 nets. I set off at first light and the first opportunity came along for the rifle down the footpath and i got a cracking headshot on a pigeon 25yards away. I was happy but i was searched for that pigeon for 10 mins and it was nowhere. I jumped back on the path and my adrenaline kicked in straight away, what looked like the farmer and a black lab. The lab started snarling and growling so i walked at it to see if it would back down and it f*****g didn't it lunged and nearly got my arm. I just stood there and the farmer chap just picked up a rock i didn't know what was going on. Anyway he just kept walking the weirdo so i picked up my rifle and bag and left. Anyway i arrived at the spot i was going to test the ferrets at. I was at a field next to the A1 next to a small wood. This place is crawling with rats and i killed 1 rat that was feeding straight off, there is a big dump of stuff from a farm including lots of apples and dead pigeons which the rats all feed on. A water trough and the mound of seed and such which they all burrow in nicely. I was going to try a 10M stretch of hedgerow next to the mound with the remaind of an old fence surrounded by holes. I got the ferrets out and they went to ground straight away which is always a good start . I had the rifle ready because i know from working this warren before that the rats tend to climb the fence and hedge which gives me time for shot. Well i wasn't disappointed the first rat went straight up the fence and into the hedge but i was ready and i hit it in the chest, but the bugger managed to fall out the hedge and make its way to the next warren. Oh well plenty more to go and i got my next opportunity a few rats later, a big f****r this time and it sat looking at me ontop of the water trough. I aimed quickly at its head and it was dead before it flopped onto the floor. It went like this for about the next 15 mins and i was thorughly enjoying myself. It was very exciting waiting for a rat to bolt and waiting for a shot, following them through the scope and waiting for them to pause for a moment. The scope i was using goes down to 1.5X so it was perfect for this job. Before anyone says it, i know this isn't a good way of ratting but it was bloody exciting. I was only there to test my new ferrets and i never expected to have so much fun. If i had a terrier we would of gotten 25-30 from that warren alone but since i don't i got 7 which i am happy with for 20 mins sport. Anyway i am very happy with my ferrets first outing, they both fought rats and excitedly looked for more. Infact i saw something i have never seen before today. I heard the unmistakable sound of a fight and looked around for something to bolt and they were fighting ABOVE ground. I have never known a rat to leave its warren then turn round to fight back against the ferret. It was a vicious little b*****d, it looks as bad as it sounds. I quickly shot it when the ferret was out of harms way and it jumped about 2' vertical before running off. I am off again later to get some rabbits and shoot some pigeons at a farm but i would call the day a success already. Cheers Quote Link to post
Hob&Jill 258 Posted September 28, 2006 Report Share Posted September 28, 2006 You got any pics mate? Quote Link to post
Ratreeper 441 Posted September 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2006 (edited) the farm wasn't as productive as usual, no pigeons or anything about on the barns so i decided to mooch around the fields which has never been more than exercise in the past. But as i was sneaking down one hedgerow a leveret stepped out about 30 yards in front of me so i froze. It looked around suspiciously and didn't seem to know i was there at all which was odd since the wind wasn't entirely on my side. Anyway i decided i could risk getting a bit closer so i got to about 22yards and took aim. I hit it just a bit lower than i wanted under its ear but it knocked it over cleanly. I left it on the ground and continued into a wood for an hour or so but that was a waste of time. Anyway not a bad day, the total is 7 rats, 1 pigeon and a leveret. I couldn't do any more ferreting because of bloody badgers . If i even go near the set some anti do-gooder runs out calling the police, land owner and anyone else she can think of and its not worth the bother. I wouldn't ferret the actual set but you know how ignorant antis are. Hopefully this photo will work, theres a lot of blood because i just gutted it. http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/4905/cimg1952ut7.jpg Edited September 28, 2006 by Ratreeper Quote Link to post
Ratreeper 441 Posted September 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2006 You got any pics mate? not of the rats i was too busy, hopefully the leveret photo worked though. The leveret is being eaten as i type by my hawk, i only hunt to feed my hawk or ferrets so i don't think its wrong to take what i can. Quote Link to post
Hob&Jill 258 Posted September 28, 2006 Report Share Posted September 28, 2006 Cheers. What is a leverat??? Quote Link to post
Ratreeper 441 Posted September 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2006 Cheers. What is a leverat??? look at the photo its young hare mate Quote Link to post
bullsmilk 2 Posted September 28, 2006 Report Share Posted September 28, 2006 LEVERETT? Quote Link to post
Hob&Jill 258 Posted September 28, 2006 Report Share Posted September 28, 2006 Cheers I did see the Hare, Ive just never heard that saying before. I was geting exited about some new Species Ive never heard of!! Quote Link to post
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