stevethefish 80 Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 (edited) Off we went again on to Howards farm up the lane, I had been told where we needed to be by Steve the keeper, he said expect a few rats though. Well the first part of the hedgerow was great, we had 19 in an hour and half so things were looking rosy. We stopped for a cuppa and a sarni and then moved on to the second stretch which run along the side of a maize strip, it was evident that rats were present around here, infact we disregarded the first few sets as they looked well infested. As you are aware rats and rabbits will co-inhabit the same sets, I dont think the rabbits like it but they dont have a choice sometimes. I took a few pics and short vids of the rat holes, these will have to be re-visited with the smoker and a few extra terriers. As we got to the first real set on this bit we netted up expecting a few long tailed ones bolting and it wasn't long before they did, I was crouched by the side of a few nets when one ran straight out and almost up my coat, for feck sake can manage without that. The ferrets refused to show and when they did they flew straight back down signifying they were hot on the heels of something. Well this time resulted in a dig, and it was with trepedation that we stuck our arms into the holes to feel for the rabbits, but luckily enough the things we grabbed had long ears. It wasn't long before we had a casualty, the white jill came out with a gash below her eye, rat bite defo, but she was still eager to get back in, tough little critters ferrets. The next few sets saw more of the same, rats bolting but straight back into the holes, I had left my 2 patterdales in the van and I am sure they would have nailed these but I am not 100% with someone elses ferrets, that would be a disaster. We continued down the hedge and picked the ones that looked rat free, not an easy task but never the less important, we could not spend too much time with ferrets chasing rats as we had a job to do, the rats will have to wait. Stevo had his JRT and with this being a dog it was teeth and snarls all round when mine came out, so we took it in turns letting them out, a shame really but the patts are highly strung. We reached the end of the next hedgerow back towards another maize strip and again left some good sets due to the rats and it started to rain, it was forecast though. We all agreed to call it a day and leave the rest for another visit, afterall we dont want to take them all at once, it will spoil it for another day. We had a count up and a quick look around and took some pictures, the final tally was 34 all fat healthy bunnies, just cant wait for the next session, probably some time next week. A view of the rat holes down the hedge, what do you think? worth a visit? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VVFkdSJGyY Edited January 16, 2011 by stevethefish Quote Link to post
akton 15 Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Well done fellas great wite up and a decent bag to show for a days work Like the red terrier looks a good un Quote Link to post
stevethefish 80 Posted January 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Well done fellas great wite up and a decent bag to show for a days work Like the red terrier looks a good un He is mate headstrong though but thats patterdales for you, he is off nuttall lines. Quote Link to post
pitmanuk 2 Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 once again stevethefish great write up and nice pics atb Quote Link to post
auld salmon 28 Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 well done nice write up dont think i would of put any ferrets down if there was any chance of rats Quote Link to post
stevethefish 80 Posted January 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Its a job we need to do really, trouble is it can ruin the ferrets, one came out really skitty today, had to watch our fingers. Quote Link to post
Raymond 618 Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Looks like you had a great bit of crack. Youll have to get back and get those rats. Love the old ratting Quote Link to post
adammubu 0 Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 well done mate, great bag. i think i might have to get myself in touch with a gamekeeper round here. patterdales seem really good, torn between one of them, or a lurcher. what do you reckon would be better? Quote Link to post
manaboutdog 3 Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Another great day steve, just fed the ferrets there bonus, a big fat rabbit ill check out weather and give you a bell for next time keen as mustard update on tilly mother and babies doing fine, missed here today though. Quote Link to post
stevethefish 80 Posted January 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 If you get a patt, you need lots of patience and time, they are really headstrong and basically just do what they want, they are great dogs though, you either love em or hate em. Quote Link to post
stevethefish 80 Posted January 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Cant wait to get her back out, miss her too. Another great day steve, just fed the ferrets there bonus, a big fat rabbit ill check out weather and give you a bell for next time keen as mustard update on tilly mother and babies doing fine, missed here today though. Quote Link to post
stevethefish 80 Posted January 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Just added a short vid on first post with the rat holes we encountered. Quote Link to post
lamping rabbit 11 Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 you never fail do u pal . happy hunting .. Quote Link to post
sam4530s 37 Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 nice one mate looks like you was busy ! Quote Link to post
stevethefish 80 Posted January 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 you never fail do u pal . happy hunting .. We do mate, but those days are seldom these days now I have some good rabbit land to go at. Quote Link to post
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