The Dirty Dozen

[undisputed 1,664]

Went out tonight for a couple of hours seeing as the rain had finally stopped. There was a good wind blowing so decided to stay local and chance my arm on an old piece of ground that I used to do years ago. First couple of parks were soaked and muddy. Managed a couple of runs on the bigger rabbits but no luck. At least it let the dog open up her lungs and stretch her legs a bit. Moved further along missing out the fields that had not been cut and finally got into a decent sized field were I was able to lamp. Quick flick on the lamp showed me a set of big orange eyes sitting in the tree line but couldn't get it to come in and so moved on after a short while, lamp on again and seen those ruby eye's about 30yrds out. Manouvered myself around to give the dog a better view of its intended target as the grass was still a bit high and got to within 15 feet of it and then noticed it was a half grown leverit and not a rabbit.

 

I was honestly going to let it pass and move on but at the crucial moment it took of and before I could switch the lamp off the bloody dog pulled out the slip so there they go couple of turns round the field then bang lights out for the big bunny. Never really saw much after that and was considering going somewhere else when I decided to walk over a small bridge to check out the one remaining field. Flicked on the lamp and couldnt believe what I saw, bloody rabbits everywhere. Managed about 14 - 15 run's and she banged 12 of them, not bad considering it was only one small field. First few were the green one's that clamp until your right on top of them and the dog's doing it's best impression of a big cat stalking a gazelle on the saringette. Its very intertaining to watch and I must video it one day. After the first few stalk's the rabbits started to get the message and began taking of like small exocets. She really was on her game tonight and stuck tight turn after turn and struck well. the two or three she missed were the one's who made it too close to the fence and being the collie/grey that she is slowed down as if she knew she wasn't getting them. So got to the dozen and decided to call it a night as the field had emptied of rabbits and I had a fare trip back to the truck with my haul. Crossed over into a few other fields and decided to try my luck with Charlie, I found a suitable spot and began calling, wasn't to long before we got a response to the call and up he came to within 10 feet of us. Slipped the dog and she sped toward the red fellah at full speed. That unfortunately was her undoing and big red's lucky break. She hit him hard on the arse and her momentum carried her over in a half summersault losing her grip on ol Basil in the process. She came up facing the opposite direction and Red just hit the ground running. It took her a moment or two to get her bearings and then she was back on his tail they went round the big dung heap a couple of times before he slipped under the gate and made his escape. To tell you the truth I wasn't that disappointed as she had done so well earlier but it would have been the perfect way to end the evening. This will be her first season being run single handed on Red and she will be tested hard so its quite pleasing to see her at least make the strike the rest will hopefully come with practice.

Edited September 7, 2008 by undisputed

[victor 10]

doesnt sound liek a bad night, you ended up with a few,.

 

[Paul in North Lincs 15]

nice read budy..................havin more luck than me at the minute!

[lamping-lad 160]

NICE ONE MATE. LIKE THE MERLE DOG NICE THAT.

[dexie 2]

Sounds like you had a good nite...well done mate...made up for ya

[Guest markbrick1]

well done ,mark

[mossyh07 64]

Good read and well done

[bird 10,014]

Well done, a good read.

 

BIRD

[milliken 831]

well done mate nice looking dog that

 

robert

[lofti 579]

well done mate, good read too

[trapper25 0]

its nights like that makes it all worth while, well done

[lamp+battery 98]

nice 1 mate and a crackin read keep at it mate

[mikeyboy 7]

NICE READ MATE IM SURE WITH PRACTICE SHE WILL BE NAILING THE REDS.

 

ATB MIKE

[Meerihunter 7]

Nice job

[colliejohn 840]

Welldone pal, not a bad night with the looks of it. regards collie john.