Lamping Last Night

[Suzy Ross 236]

Jasper was showing no signs of stiffness yesterday after the day befores ferreting so after a quick walk to empty himself, I grabbed the lamp and set off.

 

Entering the field I made my way up to the fence they normally head to. Quick shine I spotted a squatter a matter of feet away, slipped jasper and he scooped it up. Left jasper off the lead as I'd spotted one 20 yards out when I'd shined on the squatter. Flicked the lamp on it and it was off and so was jasper. It was running to the left with jasper cutting across the angle. It must have seen him closing in, with a quick turn it headed towards where jasper had been. Jasper's tail was turning like a propeller trying to slow down to do a u turn, the ground was soft and the rabbit took full advantage. Jasper turned like a bus trying to get traction all the while the rabbit was gaining on its sactuary. Credit to him he started gaining on it as the rabbit was reaching the fence, I moved the lamp rapidly shining it in the rabbits face to confuse it but it didn't make any difference as it went through the fence without missing a stride. Jasper flying up behind pinged the top strand as he flew over in hot pursuit. The set the rabbit was heading to is about 30 yards over a small hillock, I lamped it till it went over the hill and kept the lamp shinning but jasper was still a good 30 feet from it when I last saw him so I had a feeling he'd missed it. Sure enough when I turned off the lamp he returned empty mouthed, quick pat and check we headed to see what else was about.

 

As we were leaving that field I gave a quick shine up the far end. Sure enough 2 rabbits spaced out about 50 yards away but only 20 yards from trees. Jasper spotted them , I couldnt see them siting long so I sent him on, he cantered upto the first one and a quick bend later was trotting back with it. To my amazement the other rabbit hadn't moved. With a quiet "go on lad" he retraced his steps towards the oblivious bunny. As jasper approached he slowed down his pace, within meters now the rabbit woke from his trance as if he'd been shot. He lept in the air and was off. It only served to delay the inevitable as after a couple of frantic quick bends, he was soon getting carried to me in Jasper's mouth. I never thought we'd have got 1 never mind both of them and I was so chuffed with jasper.

 

We got 9 in total but there were more runs to be had but 9 is enough for me to carry. The farmer doesn't like me gutting them in the field as he says it attracts foxes so I can only squeeze the pee out of them and carry them whole. I've never been one for big numbers, half a dozen does me. Hope you enjoyed reading this, happy hunting SR.

[yeti 84]

Enjoyed that very much

[smiffie23 67]

Good trip by the sounds of things buddy. Jasper done you proud. Stu

[Suzy Ross 236]

Thanks guys. He's been a good dog over the years, lost a bit of pace, he turns 7 in February but he's 1/4 whippet 3/4 greyhound so still plenty left in the tank.

[.WARREN. 288]

well done dog, i like it when bunny jumps in air, keep at them

[lurchers2533 22]

good read that pal.atb

[Guest vin]

thanks for sharing that..good read.. and great dog.

[Suzy Ross 236]

Thanks guys. Are you the vin tomo was talking about? If so, well done last night too.

[Suzy Ross 236]

Just so you know jasper has his faults too. Can be hard mouthed, you don't get to gut many rabbits that haven't been burst inside. His markings not the greatest and he's a bugger for hunting up if ferreting and nothing happens in the first 10 minutes. But I can live with these faults.

[Guest vin]

Thanks guys. Are you the vin tomo was talking about? If so, well done last night too.

 

Yes that's me.... Must admit im sort of aching all over a little bit today. . . Its not the dogs that need conditioning its Me ! ... im getting old. . . The rain was coming down so hard at one point last night up high on the fells that it was painfull on the face...It was like being Jetwashed !

[Snifferboy 659]

Good read, keep it up

[Suzy Ross 236]

Pmsl I don't know how you carry that amount. I'd be leaving piles by the roadside as I went, can't see that being an option up the fells. Must be some amount of rabbits though, enjoy it while it lasts.

[s.e.s.k.u 1,893]

Good night out and a good read ..atb sesku

[Guest vin]

Just so you know jasper has his faults too. Can be hard mouthed, you don't get to gut many rabbits that haven't been burst inside. His markings not the greatest and he's a bugger for hunting up if ferreting and nothing happens in the first 10 minutes. But I can live with these faults.

 

Dont start me off on faults...lol. . . . I could write a book on subject ! . . . . All i can say is this..ther aint many out there who have got the 100% perfect dog..and so far I hav'nt seen many,they've all got one thing or another that annoys the owner etc etc..

Some people think they have the best dog in the world until they get the chance to see a proffesional dog and owner in action(if they ever do).

[bird 10,014]

well done nice post, as long as the dog catches thats the main thing what ever goes in the bag. Ive gone out some nights got 35 with my dog, them go differnt night might only get dozen, it the way it goes.Your dog will have plenty of speed the way its bred, keep at it .