Kits first hunt

[JMHunt1 0]

What’s everyone’s experience with their kits first hunt? 

Thanks

[beany01 223]

It depends on the kit. I put 3 kits behind an experienced Jill last season for their first try. Two seemed to crack on, while one was nervous, came out of a hole further along with a puffed up tail and looked scared to hell

[The one 8,395]

i let them into the burrows with a experienced ferret  or ferrets and just let them do there own thing i don't think it stops the rabbits bolting or gives you more digging , then when i think there working i just let them  have a go themselves and check the burrow afterwards with a working ferret see if they missed any or how they get on as they rarely go deep enough in there first season . I always take it nice and slow with kits its handy if your only concentrating on getting the kits going as if you take your time and do it right youve a good working ferret in the making that will graft for a good few years 

 

 

[trigger2 3,100]

If you have got a good marking dog with you it’s a bonus as you know there’s something at home when you put them to ground. If you Know of some shallow warrens it’s a great help also. Some kits just seem to be natural and others need a little more coaxing.  

[terryd 8,024]

I have 2 young hobs and every time they have been out dog marks ferret in and rabbit bolts followed by ferret job done.  There instant success is just down to the dog telling what warren and what hole has the best scent

[neil b 2,264]

5 hours ago, trigger2 said:

If you have got a good marking dog with you it’s a bonus as you know there’s something at home when you put them to ground. If you Know of some shallow warrens it’s a great help also. Some kits just seem to be natural and others need a little more coaxing.  

Spot on trigger, il only put my kits in where my lurcher has marked, it tips the balance in there favour then, 

[norseman 424]

I personally hold back on starting a kit until mid/season i.e December or January. Give them small bursts of hunting out with experienced ferrets, but they'll do it on their own too. 

 

[Guest vin]

 I like to see if they have the necessary tenacity to do the job. . . Then just let them learn as they earn. . . some just fail and no amount of time is worth wasting on them if they haven't got the drive in the 1st place. . . If they are any good, it's usually obvious pretty quick.

This one's a keeper I think...1st time out..straight in and bolting them in seconds...comes out with the fur gloves on and managed to bolt it.

 

[neil b 2,264]

 

 

30 minutes ago, vin said:

 I like to see if they have the necessary tenacity to do the job. . . Then just let them learn as they earn. . . some just fail and no amount of time is worth wasting on them if they haven't got the drive in the 1st place. . . If they are any good, it's usually obvious pretty quick.

This one's a keeper I think...1st time out..straight in and bolting them in seconds...comes out with the fur gloves on and managed to bolt it.

 

Yep, that one looks like it will make the grade vin, can’t beat the fur mittens either

[The one 8,395]

Ive got four i think are ready to have a go but my son says hold them back till December but i find the rabbits are older and wiser then , i like to give them little and often and slow and ive never had one fail yet 

[Guest vin]

21 minutes ago, The one said:

Ive got four i think are ready to have a go but my son says hold them back till December but i find the rabbits are older and wiser then , i like to give them little and often and slow and ive never had one fail yet 

by the time December comes them big bucks kick like donkeys..lol. . . . try em out now mate.. then a little bit now and then to keep them keyed up. . . like terrier pups. 

[fred90 3,089]

1 hour ago, vin said:

 I like to see if they have the necessary tenacity to do the job. . . Then just let them learn as they earn. . . some just fail and no amount of time is worth wasting on them if they haven't got the drive in the 1st place. . . If they are any good, it's usually obvious pretty quick.

This one's a keeper I think...1st time out..straight in and bolting them in seconds...comes out with the fur gloves on and managed to bolt it.

 

thats surely not one of this years kits vin is it.

[Guest vin]

27 minutes ago, fred90 said:

thats surely not one of this years kits vin is it.

yes... it's a Jill mate. . . 1st time out this morning. . came out a with the furry mittens behind the bunny.  I didn't try the hobs because I wanted to avoid digging.  one or two of the other kits from the litters have also been down below and showed good signs so far.  

It's the 1st warm-blooded rabbit this little un has had its teeth into. . . It really liked it a lot... lol.   

[Adampie8432 801]

7 hours ago, vin said:

yes... it's a Jill mate. . . 1st time out this morning. . came out a with the furry mittens behind the bunny.  I didn't try the hobs because I wanted to avoid digging.  one or two of the other kits from the litters have also been down below and showed good signs so far.  

It's the 1st warm-blooded rabbit this little un has had its teeth into. . . It really liked it a lot... lol.   

Excellent vin. How old will they be now mate? I've two jills here 4 months old I was going to start them beginning of next month. Atb Adam 

[trigger2 3,100]

12 hours ago, neil b said:

Spot on trigger, il only put my kits in where my lurcher has marked, it tips the balance in there favour then, 

I think sometimes people don’t realise a ferret needs bringing on they think it’s a natural hunter and it’s as easy has turning up and putting them to ground. Like a lurcher they need everything in there favour in there early days and also need there fitness building up. A days graft is just that sometimes, graft. It’s hard work when you are having a day of none bolters and the ferret has to keep killing in.