First Go With The Lab

[ryaldinhio 5,122]

It was my works do last night but I hate wasting a day after Ive been on the lash so I got mi arse out of bed about 7 as it was getting light, got a couple dozen nets in the bag, 2 stinkers and the lab and off we went. I live out in the sticks a bit so only had a wander around the paddocks infront of my house where I know there is a few small warrens and I knos there are a few rabbits, not loads but a few.

 

First warren the dog was running round sniffing the holes and shoving her head right down so I was pleased with that, made a fuss of her and set the nets. Out came the stinkers collars on and checked and down they went. Over twenty minutes or so they showed a couple of times but straight back down so I guessed they were giving something the run around, the dog was moochin round hole to hole then my jill popped out and wasnt interested in going back down so she went in the box. Five mins or so passed and out came the hob. I was guna move on but saph, the lab, wouldnt leave one of the holes alone so the hob went down that one, 2mins later one bolted hit the net on the other side of the bushes, it was out and off before I got round to it. Saph went after it but with a 50yard start she had no chance, one lost but saph seemed to get the idea then because before she was aimlesly ambling round now she was looking hole to hole waiting for the next rabbit. Another five mins passed and no sign so the finder came out, he was showing at one end of the set and there was a purse net dragged in pulled it out, no ferret. Checked again definitely there....Oh no...arm went down the hole and out came the collar with no ferret attached!!! wounded. sat around for ten mins weighing up whether to go get the mink trap the saph ran over to a hole and he just popped out not a care in the world.

 

Packed up fromthat one and went down the hedge line. found a couple more that saph wasnt interested in, thought I would try them anyway and nothing showed so I took it there was no one at home. Decided to call it a day and was walking back across the field when saph started marking another set of holes under some dense hawthorn next to an old oak tree. Thought may aswell give it a go as we were already piss wet through. I could only get 4 nets down, could see other holes but couldnt get to them. In went the jill and for five or ten minz seemed to be working it but no joy so in went the hob 1min later out came a rabbit on the other friggin side again and back down one of the holes I couldnt get to.

 

By this time the heavens had opened so when the stinkers showed next they went in the box and we went home. Empty handed but enjoyed it. Im only learning, the ferrets are this years young and it was first time for the lab so still worth it. Was pleased that she seemed to be marking well if nothing else.

 

Got all mi kit hung up and fired log burner up in the shed to dry it.

[Mr Wilkes 3,155]

Sounds like you enjoyed yourself ry , the more work you give em (dog/ferrets) the better they will get. My 1st dog was a lab, he was used for just about everything , how I wish I'd have stuck him over a greyhound . They would have made excellent mouching partners.

[bumpy22 414]

good effort mate everyday in the field is a learning curve

[rabbit demon 302]

Your wee team will soon come together.