how my first day went

[woodchip 2]

Well i desided not to put any pressure on myself and charlie today was all about getting him used to the holes .

so i knew where a 4 hole warren was in soft earth so i cleared the area of all branches and broken twigs careful not to cave in any holes i set up my purse nets over all the holes and i took time to check for any others i didnt know about (read something about mouse size holes being rabbit escape holes) found 1 so i netted it . sat and waited for a little while making sure i had everything i needed should he lay up .

I put charlie's collar on checked it was working and i put him down the hole i watched him dig the hole bigged to get his arse down all of a sudden he was gone .

 

About 3 mins later he apeared some hole so i put him down again 5 mins and he apeared again the same hole.

So i packed him away and moved to another hole.

i asumed i must have shot all the rabbits from that warren .the other warren took 45 mins to clear it was so over gown any way i did everything exactly the same only this time when i put charlie down he came up all 5 holes i had netted he did seem to have checked but who knows? .

so i assumed i must have shot all those as well so i found a third cleared it all put charlie down and he can right back and he would'nt go down at all so i left that one. so in all not a thing i cant believe i shot that many rabbits but who knows ? DID I DO ANYTHING WRONG ? ANY ADVISE PLEASE?

[MR TEA POT 1,287]

Hi mate you are doing most things right,is it the ferrets first time,if so they tend to go in then come out again keep at it with the ferret and he will soon get the hang of it.As for him not going down there could be many reasons why, the burrow could be floooded or it could be blocked,did you try him at another hole?

As for clearing the undergrowth before ferreting the burys,yes rabbits will bolt but most will stay put because of the noise above,i normally clear mine the week before that way it gives the rabbits time to settle,then when you go ferreting a week later you just quietly approach the warren and put your nets on with the min.of noise that helps the rabbits bolt.Don't get to downhearted about not catching anything,that day will come,just stick with it and you will get there,stick to the small burys 1-6holes until the ferret gets the hang of it.If you need any advice there are some good lads on here who will help you.

[woodchip 2]

A book i read did say something about clearing and leaving .

well its all cleared now so ill leave it a week and try again .

Yes it was charlies first outing he has never been worked before i have had him 6 months the idea was to keep him to eat the rabbits i shoot but a bloke from the RAC (when my van broke down) said i should work him so i tried .

 

[Guest houndblair]

Charlie looks a nice ferret, Im sure as it was his fist bit of work he was getting used to it, hell get much better the more you take him out!

[Guest Frank]

Agree, keep at it and if he comes out of one hole, put him down another at the same warren.

 

You will both soon get the hang of it Keep to small warrens and dont keep shooting them all.

 

Good luck.

 

Frank.

[woodchip 2]

Agree, keep at it and if he comes out of one hole, put him down another at the same warren.

 

You will both soon get the hang of it Keep to small warrens and dont keep shooting them all.

 

Good luck.

 

Frank.

its hard not to shoot them im good at that.

[dougie_s410k 1]

Hi mate i cant really comment as ive not been out myself but its a good read and can learn quite abit from others first trips....ive had my hob and jill for a couple of weeks and she was a right old biter...shes calmed down alot now and hopefully soon il try and get them in the swing of things to be worked.You have a nice hob there aswel,pretty much like mine, what do you feed him on? i know of a couple of places around that as soon as you step onto the land land the rabbits just bolt...but then others i know you can walk around and they just come out in front of you,maybe it just needs to be cleared and left then to try again,im sure he will turn out a good lad though :thumbs-up:

[woodchip 2]

Hi mate i cant really comment as ive not been out myself but its a good read and can learn quite abit from others first trips....ive had my hob and jill for a couple of weeks and she was a right old biter...shes calmed down alot now and hopefully soon il try and get them in the swing of things to be worked.You have a nice hob there aswel,pretty much like mine, what do you feed him on? i know of a couple of places around that as soon as you step onto the land land the rabbits just bolt...but then others i know you can walk around and they just come out in front of you,maybe it just needs to be cleared and left then to try again,im sure he will turn out a good lad though :thumbs-up:

Probably going to get slated but charlie eats JAMES WELBELOVED. and an ocassional pigeon that i shoot from the trees behind my house.

[Guest Frank]

Thats fine, but more of the pigeon and rabbit is better.

 

Frank.

[netfull 0]

Thats fine, but more of the pigeon and rabbit is better.

 

Frank.

Hi Frank,

My experience of ferreting this time of year has indicated that warrens are occupied mainly by does,probably in anticipation of impending birth of young,and resolutely refuse to bolt,

I never feed my ferrets prior to working,this I believe gives them a greater urge to work,and once fed a rabbit they know the score!

NETFULL.

[Guest Frank]

Hi netfull,

 

If thats what works for you, then great, each to their own.

 

I feed mine a small snack, before heading out and they work like demonds.

 

All the best,

 

Frank.

[mooster 1]

Just goes to show nature doesn't always do what we want it to.

Lets face it, the first time we try anything new it rarely goes according to plan but that doesn't stop us enjoying the experience...and trying again!