A day out ratting

[Rainmaker]

You know you've had a good day when you're almost too stiff and sore to type My mate and I set off this morning with his 11 year old Border terrier, 5 month old Lakey/Russell and Lurcher, and my own 3 year old Sealyham/Russell bitch Gypsy.

I thought some of you might find this interesting/different.

Tools of the trade - a smoker, net for those that bolt into the ditches and a small shovel to dig out the tunnels:

My Sealyham/Russell Gypsy checking along the ditches for a hole with someone at home:

Ey up, there's someone in The five month Lakey/Russell (Scrappy) and the Lurcher (Scooby) find one:

"Yep, I've found one!"...

"Me too"

Let's dig the dirty thing out...

Waiting like a goal keeper for any "ploppers" bolting into the ditch water:

The Border finds again:

Encouraging the bolt:

Lemme at 'em:

The dogs were sure there was one in here, but we couldn't get it even with the smoker. Plenty of nest material so either it was tucked away safe under the fence line or just a false mark?

Found another in the cover crop (sweetcorn and maize)... Quite a large warren this one as well. We lost two bolters (not for lack of chasing!) and accounted for (I think) another four out of here:

Dig, dig, dig little scotty dog

Another result! Scooped up by the white Lakey/Russell pup (Scrappy) again!

Another down

This one clamped Scrappy's nose... He squealed with rage, and Gnasher the auld Border didn't help, yanking it from the other end The blood's all the pup's, but it didn't put him off...

Guarding the catch:

Result!! This pup loves his rats.

Just something a little different for GD.

 

[Chaosboss]

nice! lol

 

[Scuzi]

Awesome! I love the dogs. How do you use them? Do you let them all go for the hole? We usually let our Border dig and sound and hold the Lakey bitch back just at the hole in case a rat manages to squeeze past the Border.

It's a great day's craic. I must bring the camera next time we go out.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Why exactly do you do this?

 

[Ac1dh0u$3.]

yea, why ? is this cheap version of hunting ?

 

[Cosimo]

Is this vermin control or an excuse for blood sport by chavs?

 

[steveo]

prefer to use a .22 its clean and quick

 

[Maximum Triceratops]

I dont agree with this to be honest, no better than badger bating, ilegal dog fighting in my opinion but each to their own I suppose.

 

[Scuzi]

Reasons I do it...

1. It's good exercise for the dogs and it is primarily what they were bred for. It's also good training for them.
2. Dead rats are better than live rats. We often get local farmers calling us and asking us to bring the dogs up to their sheds when they get too many rats about. It's good effective pest control and it doesn't cost the farmer a penny.
3. It's a good day out for us. Certainly beats browsing the internet.
4. It's awesome fun!

I dont agree with this to be honest, no better than badger bating, ilegal dog fighting in my opinion but each to their own I suppose.

The dogs don't fight. They hunt and kill the rats.

 

[Glaucus]

Awesome..

expect many animal rights people in this thread. People have become far to soft and sheltered..

 

[Rainmaker]

haha

Scuzi, it depends on the particular warren. If it's a one or two holer we just let them get on with it. The lurcher keeps an eye out for bolters if they get past the terriers. For larger places (like the ten holer on the cover crop above) the dogs tend to fan out a bit and wait while the 'finder' digs on.

As for the rest of you... We do it because (1) it's awesome fun for us and the dogs, when we're not out foxing, coursing or shooting. Not to mention (2) it's part of my mate's job on the shoot to keep the rats down around the pheasant pens and feeders.

Chavs? Absolutely not. Why would you think that?

 

[kenshinu]

Bet the dogs love doing this, does look like some fun too =]

 

[Spie]

Good stuff. I prefer to smoke 'em out then shoot bolters with my semi-auto shotgun.

 

[Cosimo]

So it’s an excuse for blood sports (exercising the gentle dog and fun) using vermin control as an excuse.

 

[roid]

Feel sorry for your dog that got bit on the nose

 

[Tefal]

So it’s an excuse for blood sports (exercising the gentle dog and fun) using vermin control as an excuse.

what else can you do? litter the country side with poison and hope the rest of the wildlife don't eat it?

 

[G-MAN2004]

I'd much prefer to shoot them.

 

[Rainmaker]

So it’s an excuse for blood sports (exercising the gentle dog and fun) using vermin control as an excuse.

lol @ blood sports. It's pest control. You're not one of those people who lights a candle and asks the vermin to please leave your space when you find one in the pantry, are you?

Feel sorry for your dog that got bit on the nose

If they didn't like it they wouldn't do it. He nailed three more after that one, so it doesn't seem to be as much of a problem for him as it is for some on here You can never kill enough rats.

 

[Minxy]

I don't like rats but then I dont like to see any animal suffer. Getting ripped apart by a dog doesn't sound painless to me.

 

[Dolph]

So it’s an excuse for blood sports (exercising the gentle dog and fun) using vermin control as an excuse.

So vermin control is only acceptable if no-one enjoys it?