Friday morning out with ferrets & hawk

[loulove1 0]

Have been out a couple of times this week but have left the camera at home. I was out today and it was a frosty morning again, have had trouble getting the rabbits to bolt in this cold snap.

 

Started off on a set in some brambles along a fence, putting all three ferrets down.

 

The ferrets are working well now (all 3 this years young) and after about five minutes down a rabbit bolted but went down the fence and in to the next set , no chance for the hawk to get involved .

 

No problem as the ferrets are on another rabbit in minutes and bang out goes another one, this time across the open field and the hawk is hot on his tail then draps down for a hit. One in the bag!!!

 

Another two out of this set but both followed the first along the fence and in the brambles on the lower set .

 

All three ferrets started showing so decided to move on to another set just up the hill as the fence changed direction. I netted the holes on the other side of the fence and put all three ferrets to work, the set was around twentyfive holes strong.

 

One of the ferrets kepted coming straight out the next hole every time I put her down so stuck her back in the box as she didnt seem to want to work.

 

The other two came up a couple of times then stayed down for a good 10 minutes before some serious thumping was going on.

 

Out shot a rabbit on one of the holes I had netted but some how managed to slip the net (think the ferrets had moved it ) but this bunny run towards us and the hawk had a chance to show what he was made of.

 

As the hawk left the glove on hot pursuit he droped 200 yards out on open ground and banged down hard for a succesful kill, then as I was setting the net a rabbit thumpt out the hole into the net I was setting over the hole, I litrally caught this one in mid air and that was three in the bag!!!!

 

After a little longer on this set we decided to call it a day, well a morning at least lol.

 

Some pics of the permission and the catch but the action was to quick to snap, sorry.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 10, 2009 by loulove1

[chalkedup 14]

well done mate , must be nice using a hawk to hunt

[loulove1 0]

where you out yourself or with a friend, looks like a good day well done

 

 

Me and me dad, the hawk is his mate. but hes a great bird and flies for me aswell.

[Brimmer 220]

Bonny snaps there, I do like to see the hawks fly.

Watched the hawkers last week as one bashed into a dry stone wall and nailed the rabbit just trying to get through it.

The hawk would not let go even though its feet were in the wall clamped on to the rabbit!

Thats a commited animal.

(no hawks were damaged by the way!)

[andy s410c 63]

I've never had much contact with BoP but it must be fantastic working with them & ferrets.My ferreting partner had a Harris but we never got to fly her with ferts due to his personal circumstances going smelly.Sounding stupid but what hawk do you have??

[csme55ex 2]

well done mate i bet thats quiet good ferreting with a hawlk i wouldent mined seeing that done myself one done see if its good and maybe think about geting one when im abit older

[loulove1 0]

I've never had much contact with BoP but it must be fantastic working with them & ferrets.My ferreting partner had a Harris but we never got to fly her with ferts due to his personal circumstances going smelly.Sounding stupid but what hawk do you have??

 

 

Harris Hawk mate, hes great fun and doesnt go near the ferrets but is straight on the rabbits.

[andy s410c 63]

Must be great working the bird with ferts...my friends Harris was a female,lovely bird but shouted constently that's why he had to give her to another falconer with no neighbours .I've always fancied doing it but as with owning any animal time,space & money are the main factors...

[milo2005 0]

nice too see a bird work .. :kiss: