Well I invited my good friend Paul Sagar for a days ferreting with the whippet on my ground. We started the day by having a quick walk around trying to find a hare to flush for the hawks using the whippet but unfortunately due to the farmer working the ground the hares were all in the fodder beat.
It's the first time the my whippet had seen falcons and she surprised us how steady she was in there company which was very encouraging for future trips.
Anyway we wern't going to be beaten and decided to ferret a length of overgrown hedgerow which i knew held a few rabbits. We had a walk down the hedge with my whippet vixen just to check if there were any rabbits at home, she marked the first 5 warrens. We made a few gaps in the hedgerow to make way for the longnets to go through, set them up and away we went.
The rabbits started bolting almost immediately with 4 in the bag from the first warren, with Vixen catching 2 before they hit the nets. We worked upto the last longnet we set and then decided to do a couple more warrens just bolting for the dog. We started ferreting at 9.45 and drove off the field at 12.30 with a bag of 17. Vixen accounting for 9 and holding the rest in the nets whilst we got to her.
I really enjoyed the day, it was one of those day where everything seemed to go just right. We did get the inevitable dig but even that was only 13" deep and i volunteered to dog that!!!!.
Paul was quite surprised with Vixen and i think he's took a liking to her, he's even asked if he can accompany us on a nights lamping with one of his saluki's....I think a little wager may be in order lol
I only took my second camera with us today so the quality of the pics arn't great and i apologise for that.
It's the first time the my whippet had seen falcons and she surprised us how steady she was in there company which was very encouraging for future trips.
Anyway we wern't going to be beaten and decided to ferret a length of overgrown hedgerow which i knew held a few rabbits. We had a walk down the hedge with my whippet vixen just to check if there were any rabbits at home, she marked the first 5 warrens. We made a few gaps in the hedgerow to make way for the longnets to go through, set them up and away we went.
The rabbits started bolting almost immediately with 4 in the bag from the first warren, with Vixen catching 2 before they hit the nets. We worked upto the last longnet we set and then decided to do a couple more warrens just bolting for the dog. We started ferreting at 9.45 and drove off the field at 12.30 with a bag of 17. Vixen accounting for 9 and holding the rest in the nets whilst we got to her.
I really enjoyed the day, it was one of those day where everything seemed to go just right. We did get the inevitable dig but even that was only 13" deep and i volunteered to dog that!!!!.
Paul was quite surprised with Vixen and i think he's took a liking to her, he's even asked if he can accompany us on a nights lamping with one of his saluki's....I think a little wager may be in order lol
I only took my second camera with us today so the quality of the pics arn't great and i apologise for that.
