First time ferreting

[Westy76 546]

As some of you know ive been asking a few questions about getting started in ferrets,i got a call from Blackstaff yesterday saying Tyla had said hed seen some ferrets advertised local to me and do i fancy a days ferreting??

To bloody right i did even after a night out!!

We met up near a local permission and quickly made our way there seeing as the rest of sussex was still tucked up at this time on a sunday morning,we got all the kit sorted then got the dogs and ferrets out to make the short walk to where we would start work.

We came across a small bury with 6 holes that the dogs had marked so we set the purse nets out and the lads were great showing me how to set them as the few times id been before i just sat back and watched,Tyla entered his jill and we all waited for something to happen none of us more keen than Pearl and Parker but unfortunatley nothing was home or had just left seeing as both dogs had marked and the ferret was keen to have a good look about.

Tyla then gave us all the happy news that we would be longnetting a part of the site that had been asked to be done but was a total pain due to being in some quite thick wood full of thorns but still this didnt dampen my enthusiasm for the job in hand.

We recced the wood then decided to start at the furthest point and work back,i first watched the lads set the first net and then tried my best to help them both while they were answering my numerous questions and soon could see why they were both grateful this was a once of year job bloody net got caught on everything but was set in 3 section across a large bury,out came the ferts and 2 were entered,very soon 3 rabbits had bolted and the dogs had stopped them in the nets.

We then moved nets down the woods and started again on the next bury,unfortunatley after the ferts were entered and the dogs were poised for the enevitable bolts 3 rabbits legged it across the field through an unseen hole and jumped into the next bury down before the dogs could reach them,which was in some of the worst cover in the woods we were to work today.

This next bury looked very promising as the dogs were getting very excited to work here and continuously marked for us so we set the nets as best we could around the thick cover knowing at least 3 that last bolted were here,we had a break for 10 mins for lunch(provided by Blackstaff cheers mate)to let the area settle.

Straight away after the ferrets were entered we had bolts,a couple legged it out but we had 7 out of here all big fat very healthy coneys and the dogs worked hard and i learned to watch the dogs for when things were about to happen they never failed to know when one was going to bolt,by this time we had 4 jills and 1 big hob working this very large area and i got plenty of chances to handle them all gaining in confidence as the day went on.

By this time in the afternoon we had all had a gutful of sorting the nets out that seemed to pick up every bloody twig,thorn bush and leaves in the woods but we only had 1 section left to do then our reward was to have a wander down the hedges bolting for the dogs,finally we'd set the last nets and were quickly rewarded with a few more rabbits which would be our last for the day in these woods,so nets in for the final time a quick drink then we went off for a steady wander down a hedgerow to see if we could bolt a few for the dogs to run on open ground but only found 2 but they were away before the dogs could get on them.

 

Totals for the day was 12 good sized coneys,1 blackberry screen wrecked,1 torn dogs ear,2 knackered dogs,2 grateful fellas that havent got to do that wood again and 1 green as grass newbie that had a really good day out,learned a hell of alot and was grateful i didnt have to dig for any of the ferrets (but was told i had to do the write up!!)

 

A massive thankyou to Tyla and Blackstaff for letting me come out with them today really appreciate the oppertunity and im sure now this is up some of the pics will be posted.

[Tyla 3,179]

It was a pleasure mate, unlike the bloody blackthorn! Glad you enjoyed it

 

Pictures please Blackstaff!

[stealthy1 3,964]

We had a twiggy day today, Ash, Firethorn and Sloe, twigs, good on you lads for taking the lad out

[Westy76 546]

Anytime you need a dogsbody tyla give me a shout,will let you known how I get on with my collection later

Still picking thorn tips out of my hands now!!

[tegater 789]

Good stuff lads, and well done for taking this lad out.

[muddy210 34]

good stuff that well done lads for getting westy out and good to see a newbie enjoying it the hedges can be a shite got one done this week and out the way but loads still to do

[blackstaff 488]

Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself, unlike my ' posh ' phone :censored: Oh to have only put it in it's case which was in the drivers door Next time at least we hope to not have another day like that. It was hard work but an enjoyable one all the same.

Sorry about the pic's for this trip. The wood and area covered need 3 sets of hands so not near as many shots i would of liked but still managed a few.

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://s1106.photobucket.com/albums/h372/Blackstaff-Photography/Hunting%20pics/Ferreting%20Tyla%20and%20Westy/?albumview=slideshow

[seany 54]

nice photo's lads looks like you had a good day

[Tyla 3,179]

Pictures come out alright, not so many action shots as your used to though! Plenty of me looking like a scarecrow but i like the armful of ferrets one!

[blackstaff 488]

Still not happy about them but hey ho you can't get ' the ' pic every time i'm out. Or at least that's what you tell me

[Westy76 546]

There good mate,I feel all sas now!!

[blackstaff 488]