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From a training point of view, mixy rabbits are a real bonus as it stops young dogs from getting frustrated.Simple catches are a brilliant learning curve for any hunting dog. Also stops the dogs from opening up (Yelping) Every catch builds up a dogs confidence and skill. Its not a play period mind you, and the rabbit is humanely despatched by me.
I approached the field trying to satey down wind with Oscar on a slip lead, alot of rabbits soon sighted/heard us and made good their escape.(Theres 2 ferrets back at home who are eager to deal with them, at the start of October) Several went into a squat so they were approached with the rabbit furthest from cover the prime target.As I got closer several were still eating grass and never reacted to our presence, a sure sign of mixyed rabbits,Oscar is at this point pulling on the lead, with ears erect and very eager to get going (Any yelping at this point should be discouraged) I slipped Oscar and he was onto the quarry quickly, with a very short course. Its easy to get excited at this stage but this normally makes a young dog play up. So I try to remain calm as I can and get Oscar to retrieve, he initially ignored me at first then came towards me ( Tip : Never go to your dog at this stage, always make the dog come to you, it will pay dividends later on, especially lamping) The rabbit was still alive so I put it out of its mixy misery, as quickly as possible.
Oscar had performed well, and the retrieve was fairly good, so I went in search of another rabbit.This was located in the far corner of the field and we headed along the hedgerow towards it.Again we were about 15m away,and the rabbit tried to make its escape, Oscar was slipped and he soon got those long legs of his working.The rabbit ran along the hedgerow and turned towards the cover, this is when Oscar made his strike and made a successful catch. Oscar then ran off with the quarry!!
I called him and he ignored me (Nows the time to remain calm !!) called him again and he headed towards me.The rabbit 3/4s grown was in the later stages of mixy, its left eye closed up, with scabs around both eyes a disgusting disease.
A short training/hunting trip for Oscar.
This short outing also showed me how much cover is still about, regarding the laying of nets on rabbit burys.The ferrets will be in action soon with the Blues Brothers, another day with another story, which I look forward to passing on to you, maybe with some photos.
Mike
I approached the field trying to satey down wind with Oscar on a slip lead, alot of rabbits soon sighted/heard us and made good their escape.(Theres 2 ferrets back at home who are eager to deal with them, at the start of October) Several went into a squat so they were approached with the rabbit furthest from cover the prime target.As I got closer several were still eating grass and never reacted to our presence, a sure sign of mixyed rabbits,Oscar is at this point pulling on the lead, with ears erect and very eager to get going (Any yelping at this point should be discouraged) I slipped Oscar and he was onto the quarry quickly, with a very short course. Its easy to get excited at this stage but this normally makes a young dog play up. So I try to remain calm as I can and get Oscar to retrieve, he initially ignored me at first then came towards me ( Tip : Never go to your dog at this stage, always make the dog come to you, it will pay dividends later on, especially lamping) The rabbit was still alive so I put it out of its mixy misery, as quickly as possible.
Oscar had performed well, and the retrieve was fairly good, so I went in search of another rabbit.This was located in the far corner of the field and we headed along the hedgerow towards it.Again we were about 15m away,and the rabbit tried to make its escape, Oscar was slipped and he soon got those long legs of his working.The rabbit ran along the hedgerow and turned towards the cover, this is when Oscar made his strike and made a successful catch. Oscar then ran off with the quarry!!
I called him and he ignored me (Nows the time to remain calm !!) called him again and he headed towards me.The rabbit 3/4s grown was in the later stages of mixy, its left eye closed up, with scabs around both eyes a disgusting disease.
A short training/hunting trip for Oscar.
This short outing also showed me how much cover is still about, regarding the laying of nets on rabbit burys.The ferrets will be in action soon with the Blues Brothers, another day with another story, which I look forward to passing on to you, maybe with some photos.
Mike
).