undisputed 1,664 Posted July 13, 2008 Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 Finally bit the bullet and decided to take my pup out on his maiden lamping trip. Ideal conditions with a nice warm breeze blowing so I got my arse in gear and got ready. All I needed was a destination. Decided to try a local spot that I tend to use to bring on young dogs only 3 - 4 parks but they usually hold plenty of rabbits and your always guaranteed a few runs. 20 minutes later I arrived at my spot only to find the grass was knee high but decided to persevere anyway. Tried the football pitch that sits opposite the fields and sure enough there plenty of rabbits sitting out. So I make my way round the edge of the pitch to were theres a line of trees and flicked on the lamp. Almost immediately the more experienced rabbits bolt for cover leaving only the one squatter thats trying to flatten itself into the ground to avoid detection. So I make my way inch by inch ever so slowly toward the rabbit hoping that its going to stay put long enough for the pup to see it. All this time the bloody pup is looking left right everywhere but straight ahead of him. Nevertheless we get closer and I begin to feel the anticipation building as we edge nearer and nearer the dog still hasn't clocked whats in front of him, then a wee bit of fortune just as he looks ahead the rabbit sits up and he spots it he's all interested now ears up pulling slightly on the lead then the rabbit starts to move so I slip the pup and the chase is on. He gets to within striking distance and the rabbit puts in one of those wee turns that they do and the dogs skidding along the grass wondering where this wee bundle of fur has gone. Regaining his composure he gets back on track and again gets to within striking distance head goes down again, same result grasping at fresh air as the rabbit jinks to the side then escapes under the fence. Watching this it felt like ages but in reality was only a few seconds but the most pleasing aspect was after the chase was done there was no running around trying to hunt up just a quick whistle from me and he was back on the leash. These are the bits were all the hard work put in training a pup comes together and makes it all worthwhile. So bolstered by this we made our way further up the bank toward some of the other fields and by luck one of them had recently been cut. We made our way round the edge of the field and again there were a number of rabbits out but to close to the fence to bother with but eventually I spotted another squatter half way out in the park. Again we got to within a few feet of the rabbit but it was sitting so tight and still the dog still hadn't noticed it. So by this time I'm practically standing over it and trying to get the dog to at least look in the right direction but he's more interested in the bloody moths that are now appearing in droves because of the light and snapping at them. Eventually he notices the rabbit moving and I slip him again, same scenario rabbit turns him inside out but he sticks with the task and only the fence beats him and once again the rabbit lives to fight another day. We had another two runs after that with the same result so I called it a night and we headed back to the car. On the way back I flicked on the beam again and there about 15 feet from me was a nice fox coming in our direction totally oblivious to the light. I switched of the lamp and stepped to the edge of the park and watched it trot by without a care in the world and it still hadn't noticed me. A bit further on I swept the beam round the field and again out in the middle was another fox with 3 cubs beside it I watched them mucking about for a bit then moved on. Just before I left the field I turned the lamp on for the last time and there behind me was one of the cubs I had seen earlier and it was heading in my direction at a fair pace, it must have come to within 10 feet of me and only stopped because the pup shook himself and alerted it to our presence so I stood for a few minute more watching the cub then switched of the lamp and headed back to the car. Even though we came back empty handed I was fare chuffed by how well the pup had done and had forgotten how much fun lamping with a pup can be. Its early days but with a bit more experience I'm sure it wont be to long before he starts to take rabbits quite regularly. Anyway thats my wee story about the pups first lamp session I look forward to many more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bowers1986 3 Posted July 13, 2008 Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 Great Write Up Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bosun11 537 Posted July 13, 2008 Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 A good read Undisputed Although some find starting pups a pain, I also really enjoy it. Though its always the way, that when out with a youngster plenty of 'stuff' for your mature dog comes crawling out of the woodwork? Oh well, I suppose you'll be seein 'em again soon enough Best of luck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stevolad 26 Posted July 13, 2008 Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 Quality read mate, onwards and upwards from here i hope. I was getting excited there reading your write up as if it was my dog LOL Every lurcher man knows that feeling of excitement and anticipation, with a bit more experience it sounds like the pup will be following the beam and i'm sure he will get that first bunny soon enough. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
undisputed 1,664 Posted July 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 Great Write Up Cheers man! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mickyrich Posted July 13, 2008 Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 great writing shakespere good read Quote Link to post Share on other sites
undisputed 1,664 Posted July 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 A good read Undisputed Although some find starting pups a pain, I also really enjoy it. Though its always the way, that when out with a youngster plenty of 'stuff' for your mature dog comes crawling out of the woodwork? Oh well, I suppose you'll be seein 'em again soon enough Best of luck Yeah deffo mate forgot how enjoyable it is starting them off think I went through every bloody emotion last night but fair enjoyed seeing him trying to work out the turns....be out again soon...normally I would have had my older dog with me but she was is injured at the mo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
undisputed 1,664 Posted July 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 Quality read mate, onwards and upwards from here i hope.I was getting excited there reading your write up as if it was my dog LOL Every lurcher man knows that feeling of excitement and anticipation, with a bit more experience it sounds like the pup will be following the beam and i'm sure he will get that first bunny soon enough. lol deff mate should be a bit easier when the rest of the parks are cut...to many distractions for him but well pleased with him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
undisputed 1,664 Posted July 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 great writing shakespere good read thank you sir! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
undisputed 1,664 Posted July 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 great writing shakespere good read thank you sir! This is a pic of him at 6months! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The one 8,589 Posted July 13, 2008 Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 Nice read , you always remember your pups first rabbit Quote Link to post Share on other sites
undisputed 1,664 Posted July 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 Nice read , you always remember your pups first rabbit Yeah I'm looking forward to it hopefully wont be to long Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Coney 3 Posted July 13, 2008 Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 Great post. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
undisputed 1,664 Posted July 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 Great post. Thank you sir! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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