Ideation 8,217 Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Decided to have a good mooch about with johnnyboy today. We have been doing a lot of 'proper' ferreting today, and sometimes it's really nice to just have a rake about with the dogs and see what comes up. After my fairly hectic and tiring week, i was slow to start this morning, so finn and i didnt arrive at johhnyboys until about 8.45am. We were joined by johnnyboy, who had Luna, Gem and Bronwyn with him. It was the pups first time out with the pack for a days sport, and for 12 weeks she was confident as anything, leaping into the boot, and greeting finn. We also took a couple of ferrets with us, just incase. We headed off, and i gave one of our farms a call, to say we would be around in a bit. Upon arrival, the farmer said that mixy had been through and the numbers were right down, but it didnt matter much to us as we were not out today for proper ferreting etc, but just to let the dogs hunt up for themselves and get a bit of excercise. An early moment of hilarity came when luna accidently swiped the pup into a ditch full of water, much to bronwyns displeasure We started off along the farm track, and then decided to cut along a stream that ran across the fields and eventually into the river, as we were moving along the edge, the dogs started working a scent, but you could tell it wasn't a rabbit. Up ahead, we saw something break cover and run up a tree, but only getting a glimpse i thought it was probably a squirral. However, as we got to the tree, johnny pointed out the large female mink sitting on the branch above us. FInn soon spotted it and was trying to climb the tree. We had the catapult with us, but unfortunatly it is a bit f****d so you need to get in real close in order to get a humane shot off. The mink was too high, and i was at a loss. Luckily my ferreting partner is spiderman. With a quick boost he was off up the tree. As soon as the mink spotted him, it started climbing to, up and up, with johnnyboy in hot pursuit. Eventually, at a height great enough to cause serious injury or death, johnnyboy managed to catch it out on a branch, where it couldn't go anywhere. There was a moment where the mink and he had a mexican stand off and it looked like it was going to go for him, and then he managed to get a successful shot in. As it hit the deck it was well retrieved by the dogs. I was particularly proud of finn, and to be honest it made my day. As they say variety is the spice of life, and it reminded me how much of a legend johnnyboy is We continued mooching about the farm, seeing very little else, but the dogs were working away at the little scent that was about and managed to put a couple of rabbits up andinto thick cover. A good bit of cover stomping later and both had made the error of chancing a run, one to be snapped up by gem, and the other picked up by luna. We continued around the rest of the farm, but didnt see anything else, apart from a couple of pheasants, which were very lucky to escape finns jaws, with one losing it's tail feathers. He had an awesome leap at one, just missing it as he struck it it flying over him, after luna had put it up. We returned to my house and had a cuppa, and a chat, and then rang another local farm and headed down to have a good mooch about the woodland. Again, this farm has suffered with mixy so we knew it would be quiet but its always good to show your face, and its got some nice land and views for walking. About half way around our stomp, the dogs gave a good mark on a small set a long a fence line, and the occupant was quickly evicted. It was to be the only bunny we took on this farm, with only one more spotted, and giving the dogs a bit of a run through the woods before dissapearing into thin air. Unfortunatly it was very warm, and they lost the trail. We made our way back to johnnyboys and had a good chat and a cuppa, before i headed home. Although we only caught three rabbits and a mink, it was a cracking day, and yet again the dogs worked well and wee Bronwyn really impressed me, keeping up with us and the other dogs all day, bold as brass, getting stuck into cover and making her own way everywhere. I also noticed her at various points, such as when the mink was getting retrieved and when we were ferreting the one rabbit out, sitting intently and watching, drinking it all in. I think she will make a good un, never known such a mature, bold and tough 12 week old pup. Unfortunatly my camera has broken, so only an eod shot, which is a shame as there would have been some good shots today. 4 Quote Link to post
DeepEarth 104 Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Another good read Jai, empty your inbox... Quote Link to post
johnny boy68 11,726 Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 I enjoyed today butt, nice to just have a good walk with some great scenic views, needed that I did after feeling like shit for the last few weeks. Quote Link to post
Ideation 8,217 Posted February 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Cheers Deepearth, and it's got space now! Yes, matey, it was really nice to just have a stroll and watch the pack work. We will have plenty of that now the season is drawing to a close Quote Link to post
Rake aboot 4,936 Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 feckin loons hahahaha,, nice one though,, a wee fancy fur stole for Mary Magdelene then is it Jai ??? ATB 1 Quote Link to post
KittleRox 2,147 Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 I enjoyed today butt, nice to just have a good walk with some great scenic views, needed that I did after feeling like shit for the last few weeks. that can,t be Johnny, he,s nae hat oan lol can,t beat a gid mooch Quote Link to post
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