Rabbit control problem

[Axholme Ferreter 0]

I have a rabbit control job on an enclosed site. Started last year and have managed to clear most of the site (87 rabbits) using a variety of methods but I have a problem. There is a hard core poulation (which is of course now increasing!) living under some permanently sited Portacabins. The portacabins are raised up so the rabbits have a route out on all 4 sides. The font side is out on to concrete/tarmac so I can not set a long net all the way around, I would be reluctant to put my ferrets under anyway as if I got a lie up I would not be able to dig. I have to be discrete and I can only do control in evenings after the portacabins are not in use. I can not use snares due to local cats. I have tried spring traps but without excavation of great big hollows there is not enough height clearance for them to work. when I dig the hollow for them the rabbits are suspicious and just come out elsewhere. I can not use cage traps and leave them out in sight. I can not use gas for obvious reasons. I have been picking a few off with the air rifle but the angles for safe shots are limited and the remaining rabbits are very wary to that now. I had thought about getting the site to block the front off with brickwork or boarding and putting a rabbit fence on 3 sides with a drop box but I do not think they are willing to spend that much money.

Has anyone got any other ideas I could try??

 

All the best

 

AF

[TOMO 29,036]

done a few portacabins, and trailer containers , always ferreted them mate, long nets round. i have been fortunate that for the most part i could get the pegs in , in gaps between slabs. where i couldnt i lent the poles against the cabin.

 

but you could not do this all the way round, there would be no tention. what you need is somthing heavy for the poles to go in too, like a brick or a piece off heavy steel plate.

 

i have used ferrets in these places that i know if they kill they wont stay for long. best of luck TOMO

[Rolfe 2]

I have done loads of jobs like this mate..........and its ferrets every time........get the long nets round best you can and out on the concrete apron use wooden blocks with a hole in the top to take the long net pegs.....weight them with bricks if you have too.

As long of there are a couple of guys to watch all sides of the cabins (one on each opposite diagonal corner) you wont lose any ferrets...........!

 

Rolfe.

[Axholme Ferreter 0]

Thanks for the advice chaps I will have to give this one a try.

Just one query I am a little unsure about the mechanics of putting the poles in to blocks of wood or concrete or what ever. Wouldnt this mean that the bottom line of the net would then be off the ground or is this me being thick. Do you use traditional nets with the poles loose? I have quick sets and I am not sure how to do this bit with them?

Any further explanation for the hard of understanding (me) would be appreciated.

 

All the best

 

AF

[Dullahan 0]

I don't know if this will do you any good but about thirty years ago my colleague and myself had a similar problem when trying to clear an old derelict brickworks. We had managed to clear all the obvious warrens but there were two concrete bases that had been the old kilns. They were too big to enclose with long nets and too many escape routes for the rabbit. As it had been derelict since the 1950s there was piles of bricks that had become overgrown. If we had lost ferrets we would have needed a JCB to dig them out.

My mate saw a solution in getting two foxes from another mate and spread the fox scent for a couple of days all around the inaccesible warrens. It would appear that once the rabbits left the Warrens they would not return because of the scent of fox.

Edited April 23, 2008 by Dullahan

[Rolfe 2]

Thanks for the advice chaps I will have to give this one a try.

Just one query I am a little unsure about the mechanics of putting the poles in to blocks of wood or concrete or what ever. Wouldnt this mean that the bottom line of the net would then be off the ground or is this me being thick. Do you use traditional nets with the poles loose? I have quick sets and I am not sure how to do this bit with them?

Any further explanation for the hard of understanding (me) would be appreciated.

 

All the best

 

AF

Two ways you can do it............. either 12 inch squares of 2 in thick wood plates with a hole in the centre as foot plates for the setting pegs.

Or X shaped lengths of timber with a metal tube or pipe fitted to the top to take the pegs.

 

Rolfe.

[stubby 175]

I can see what your asking, with the poles in wooden stands, the net could be 2" or so off the ground, just hold it down between poles with a brick or something, even a tent peg

[Axholme Ferreter 0]

I can see what your asking, with the poles in wooden stands, the net could be 2" or so off the ground, just hold it down between poles with a brick or something, even a tent peg

 

 

I was right I am thick. Thanks for that stubby and others. I will get cracking on some wooden supports.

 

All the best

 

AF

[Rolfe 2]

I can see what your asking, with the poles in wooden stands, the net could be 2" or so off the ground, just hold it down between poles with a brick or something, even a tent peg

In my experience the natural sag of the net between the setting pegs ensures the net touches the floor, but i have never yet seen a running rabbit try and get under a net.........they always hit them full on and try to go through them rather than under or over them.

 

Rolfe

[stubby 175]

must be a southern thing then rolfe, Ive seen quite a few "duck"

[Guest Ditch_Shitter]

I would be reluctant to put my ferrets under anyway as if I got a lie up I would not be able to dig.

 

 

..... Sorry, mate, but; If you'd ever experienced things like the Kitchen on Horsea Island about forty years ago? Then ye'd just shrug and put those ferrets to doing what they do!

[Malt 379]

I would be reluctant to put my ferrets under anyway as if I got a lie up I would not be able to dig.

 

 

..... Sorry, mate, but; If you'd ever experienced things like the Kitchen on Horsea Island about forty years ago? Then ye'd just shrug and put those ferrets to doing what they do!

Exactly, if you feed them up the night before, they wont lay up for long. You don't HAVE to dig to a ferret, even if some folk on here insist you do....

[woodga 170]

MALTENBY I WANT ONE OF YOUR FERRETS A ONE THAT NEVER KILLS OR LIES UP OR GETS STUCK BETWEEN DEAD RABBITS AND THAT YOU NEVER HAVE TO DIG FOR IF ONLY THAT WER TRUE

[micky 3,325]

MALTENBY I WANT ONE OF YOUR FERRETS A ONE THAT NEVER KILLS OR LIES UP OR GETS STUCK BETWEEN DEAD RABBITS AND THAT YOU NEVER HAVE TO DIG FOR IF ONLY THAT WER TRUE

It is true Wooga,because lots of lads on here have got one or two .But after 50 odd years ferreting,iv,e never actually seen one.