I've been out this evening looking at some of my permission and soon realised the corn was getting a little long and it would be far too long in a months time (when i intended taking vixen on her first run on the lamp).
I knew she was nearly ready so decided to give her a run tonight just to see how she did.
when we got to the land the wind had dropped there were plenty of rabbits about and most squatted in the red beam. I picked one that was sat out about 60 yards and cut it off, i took the red filter off the lamp and slowly walked up to it it got up and run when we were about 15 yards from it i slipped vixen and she gave chase it ran for the hedge i thought it would she turned it a couple of times but missed it.
I gave her a breather and looked around for another one sat out in the corn, we spotted one again about 60 yards out this time it lifted as i took the red filter off the lamp, this one headed straight for the hedge no turning with this one it went through the hedge at full speed without vixen really getting on terms with it. As soon as i turned the lamp off she came straight back even without me calling her.
We waited 10 minutes before walking any further just to let things settle and to give vixen a rest. We then spotted a rabbit about 70 yards out i walked up to within 20 yards then took the red filter off again. Vixen immediately spotted it and was pulling on the slip i waited until the rabbit lifted before i slipped her, she went and struck at the rabbit straight away but missed it by a whisker, she was running this one with more determination she turned it just before the hedge, turned it again then caught it. She mouthed it a little to get a grip then retrieved it live to hand (holding it by the base of it's ears!!!!)
My friend Graham was with me and his only comment was you can't ask for better than that.
I put vixen back on the lead and headed back to the car. Her work for the evening was done.
Once back at the car i gutted the rabbit and gave her the warm liver as a treat, checked her over for cuts etc and headed for home.
We called in the local for a pint on the way home :cheers:
You could say i'm over the moon with her, It means so much when a dog you've bred yourself catches it's first rabbit. All the work i've put into her has finally paid off. i know it's only one but lets hope its one of many.
Sorry about the photo quality it's off the phone
I knew she was nearly ready so decided to give her a run tonight just to see how she did.
when we got to the land the wind had dropped there were plenty of rabbits about and most squatted in the red beam. I picked one that was sat out about 60 yards and cut it off, i took the red filter off the lamp and slowly walked up to it it got up and run when we were about 15 yards from it i slipped vixen and she gave chase it ran for the hedge i thought it would she turned it a couple of times but missed it.
I gave her a breather and looked around for another one sat out in the corn, we spotted one again about 60 yards out this time it lifted as i took the red filter off the lamp, this one headed straight for the hedge no turning with this one it went through the hedge at full speed without vixen really getting on terms with it. As soon as i turned the lamp off she came straight back even without me calling her.
We waited 10 minutes before walking any further just to let things settle and to give vixen a rest. We then spotted a rabbit about 70 yards out i walked up to within 20 yards then took the red filter off again. Vixen immediately spotted it and was pulling on the slip i waited until the rabbit lifted before i slipped her, she went and struck at the rabbit straight away but missed it by a whisker, she was running this one with more determination she turned it just before the hedge, turned it again then caught it. She mouthed it a little to get a grip then retrieved it live to hand (holding it by the base of it's ears!!!!)
My friend Graham was with me and his only comment was you can't ask for better than that.
I put vixen back on the lead and headed back to the car. Her work for the evening was done.
Once back at the car i gutted the rabbit and gave her the warm liver as a treat, checked her over for cuts etc and headed for home.
We called in the local for a pint on the way home :cheers:
You could say i'm over the moon with her, It means so much when a dog you've bred yourself catches it's first rabbit. All the work i've put into her has finally paid off. i know it's only one but lets hope its one of many.
Sorry about the photo quality it's off the phone
Really interesting post, thankyou.
