Catching and cooking rabbits, the ferreter's way

On this particular morning, the mist obscured the stunning countryside. The sodden ground highlighted the freshness of the morning as I started to lay my nets. Soon every long-net I possess surrounded a hedge I planned to ferret. Virgin ground, this area had never seen a ferret before, so I was curious to find out how deep and long these workings went. I earn my corn among these roots, thorns and leaves, but how would the rabbits react to my ferret and, more importantly, how hard was the ground?
I scattered some purse-nets over the tasty-looking holes. My dog Bella was out but if I needed to change tactics I had the luxury of Millie as a back-up. Confidence was high as I collared up the ferrets. I had a job to do, so the self-imposed pressure was on, especially as Steve would be joining me later to show me how to smoke rabbit on a quick and easy DIY smoker.
Always one for a challenge, I took a bit of time prior to this visit to remove the ancient and rusty barbed wire that lay half hidden in the undergrowth - unfortunately it was still as sharp as it was the day it was laid. Paying respect to the new ground, I would work fewer ferrets than normal as I erred on the side of caution. My gut instinct wouldn’t allow me to get carried away and become lackadaisical in my approach. These warrens have the potential to be long and deep. Though this didn’t daunt me, digging in the predicted heat did. As the mist dissipated, the sun beamed down. I planned an early start and finish as I worry about the welfare of my dogs and ferrets in higher temperatures. Working hobs, I planned to do only a smash and grab - bag as many bunnies as possible quickly without the hardship of trying to excavate ferrets and rabbits in rock-solid ground.
Once my aromatic mustelids were entered they immediately upset the status quo. Rabbits started jumping like popcorn all over the place. Virgin territory is hard to find, so I enjoyed this rare luxury while it lasted. Marshalling the nets in with an air of confidence, Bella left nothing to chance. A rabbiting dog can always move quicker and quieter than any human. And for me, the days of gracefully dancing around a warren are coming to an end. Over the years my tactics have changed. Today, I cannot ferret without stop- and long-nets, which are essential.
The stop-nets dissecting the hedgerow caught the rabbits out, but the hedge trimmings provided a potential route of escape by snagging the bagging of the nets. Bella made sure they went nowhere except home with us. Being guided by my canine black statue was theatre in itself. Standing motionless, ears twitching to and fro, her demeanour spoke volumes. It was obvious where the action was, with her pressuring the bolting rabbits and marshalling them into nets until I hobbled across. Steve was happy. I had already harvested a sufficient number for his little smoking venture, so at least we wouldn’t go hungry.
How to smoke a rabbit
I paunched and skinned the rabbits prior to jointing. After removing the sinew from the loins that were to be smoked, the “home brew” smoker was assembled. This comprised a camping stove, a wok holder and a wok, with the inside of the wok covered with baking foil to prevent the rice, sugar and tea from burning its surface. A mesh tray was laid across the top. Half a mug of rice, three tablespoonfuls of brown sugar and a tablespoonful of loose tea were sprinkled on top of the foil. After placing the four loins on the wire tray, the lid was put back on, foil tucked up to prevent any smoke escaping, and then the stove went to work.
By the time we had drunk our brew (10 minutes later), the lid was removed. The smoke erupted theatrically to present some nicely browned, smoked rabbit. Perfect. I had a sandwich to revitalise me before heading back to the warren. It was then back to business.
www.shootinguk....

[@seanrparr]

Smoked rabbit in the field, excellent work!

[@elvismaniaman]

No one who eats meat should be offended by this, something has td die for any meat to be on a plate, its simple and the title is very descriptive so why watch and comment negatively. Very strange. I am a vegetarian and have to say this is a good piece, well done.

[@ClaireCodesStuff]

Your dog is so well trained. If we took our dog out with us on our rabbit shoots carnage would ensue. Great job and looks like a great morning out. Pay no attention to the idiots, they obviously think their chicken and bacon comes from the supermarket and was never alive :D

[@jimbojet8728]

Excellent. That was great fun. I’ve never smoked a rabbit, but I;m going to give it a try now. Thank you.

[@fiddle954]

Bravo! I really appreciate your tact. Good ethical hunting with a guilt free snack on the end.

[@Antipodean33]

excellent clip and thanks for the smoking recipe, made me real hungry

[@vihorvetrov]

Well done boys. Real mans stuff....

[@DHEMGHJS]

Simon is a guy who knows what he is doing, not always a given with field sports films!Never tried smoked bunny but will do in the future!

[@Shooting-Up]

Looked bloody nice that.

[@mikesalmon9945]

Thank for that smoking trick,I'll have to give it a try

[@sherbert500]

never thought about smoking rabbit before , think I better stick to the golden virginia

[@WishIWasDrunk]

Holy shit. I don't know how I ended up here but bravo. This was awesome. I have never seen anything like that done before (The whole video). Then again I live in Los Angeles, CA.

[@tenghonchan529]

Mom. I learnt something amazing today.

[@rexPlaysRoblox-xy2us]

good dog :D

[@samuelpepys2108]

Great video, shame it ended with cheap margarine to go with the rest of the ingredients!

[@phenglee1404]

Nice train dog

[@JJ-ef7lb]

I can't believe people are offended by this? This is more ethical than buying you're meat from the supermarket. Good vid mate, some nice ideas for me. I think some of you believe these rabbits go home and have tea parties etc...

[@ob-ewankenobi2473]

*I find this offensive because I'm Vegetarian.*

[@adriansims9770]

+Ewan Lehtola Then why did you watch? It is very clear from the title what this video is.

[@doctordolittle3652]

I find it offensive because you are a vegetarian! Why bloody watch such videos if you are supposedly offended by such natural methods of cooking certain type food. What I find offensive, is, the attitude you have towards other's to whom find naturally meat as a good tasty food item."Just because you don't eat meat, please don't try and dictate what others should do. That is offensive!

[@ob-ewankenobi2473]

God damnit it was joking.

[@doctordolittle3652]

Sorry, my mistake. I apologies Ewan.

[@StephenCooteNZ]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes from New Zealand.

[@NosRaFG4]

All that work just for a sandwich lol

[@jimgallagher5785]

Dad! I want a ferret for Christmas, p l e a s e!

[@mygzmagic6060]

So this is the reason why i don't see my favorite bunny on TV nowadays. I'm so sad today, Bugs Bunny was on the menu. Huhuhu..

[@mr.alaska5824]

Nice presentation.

[@Nahfam143]

but this one... I GOT FUCKING HUNGRY

[@jakesheldon7637]

vast majority of the world eats meat, yet it seems that the 1% of vegetarian mega-activists seem to be watching videos to help people learn to hunt and cook their food the freshest and healthiest way possible. yet while judging us? hunting is very misunderstood, humans were meant to eat meat, and excuse me if i would rather eat fresh rabbit meat that i killed, skinned, gutted, and cooked by my own hands over buying a burger full of processed "mystery meat" from mcdonalds.

[@shiftyjack8334]

True so true

[@bouncinganimals9112]

Q

[@doctordolittle3652]

Jake , you are totally correct in what you said and the vegetarians and vegans just love to try to force their somewhat inaccurate and misguided fantasies aimed at meat -eaters. Meat is natural and so beneficial within one's diet, full of protein and iron and so tasteful. "What I always find offensive is the animal-rights lunatics and nutters who decide that it is (their) way that is so correct and want to extinguish everything that is so wonderful to eat."If more youngsters were taught about fieldcraft and the natural things in life, they would be so much the better for such beneficial experiences and better education for many adventures in the countryside.

[@Emily-xi7co]

Doctor Dolittle 🇸🇿

[@thetruthishere177]

jake sheldon n i love mc Donalds people say stuff about process foods n caned food without educating themselves but alot of then are still natural they just add extra of wat makes it stay active longer...

[@ruairidt]

Fancy feast for the middle of a field steve going all gorden Ramsey on us

[@J40JesusIsLord]

I've had fried rabbit before, just like squirrel but with a lot more meat!

[@GA040607]

Excellent vid. Does the rest of the rabbit go to waste?

[@garystewart5856]

Gurmaan Singh i give the ferrets the rest after ive took what i want or the dog gets it

[@adamsheppard3054]

I'm so confused with the comments! How is catching it yourself and cooking it any different from buying it?

[@Listermintsluesh]

what do u mixymatosis the rabbits with in the stew ?

[@369ZIR]

Love eating rabbits!! Sooo danm tasty.

[@thetruthishere177]

waste of rabbit to eat with bread

[@capnhands]

you're not suppose to use ferrets, use the holy hand grenade

[@sssslasher]

dont you guys ever leave the rabbit hung for a few days b4 ya eat them?

[@paulmoss7940]

NO. I understand this is only done overseas. To get the meat "high."

[@davidkim7940]

none.... just dont watch if it is going to offend you

[@lfcmarkeb7124]

thought you'd get more than 2 sarnies from a rabbit lol.

[@wangy01]

I don’t get it - why rice?

[@EnriquezRjanner]

are you kidding me I love rabbits. this is not why God made you this is nature

[@erendyalatorre7785]

Rjanner Zeuqirne if you love them now just wait until you eat them. God they are delicious

[@roses993]

Look at nature. Bunny me is eaten by all carnivores. Their meat is clean and has lots of protein. Bunny purpose is to provide nutrition through its meat. Again. Just look at nature. No one cares it's "cute" because it's lunch 😋

[@tonyclifton474]

season that shit!

[@darkhumphrey]

Only thing I can think of when I watch this is SAS. These are some bad-a people right here.

[@puglissu8893]

Thought they had to be soaked in salt water over night? That's the way my mom did it.

[@CountvonCount33]

That's if they've been shot

[@khalidbarwani5872]

damn he cooked bugs bunny and his family

[@temsbab1565]

I cant find rabbits anymore they have all gone round me shame i liked them so did the dog

[@sandeepdamodare7943]

Wow great sweet eating please send India Paking parcel

[@marcvangemert9515]

i wanna know how a rabbit taste

[@bluetocop]

cant hear

[@colinrowe7615]

You won't get any fresher than that . Could just eat that

[@Nahfam143]

protein bomb

[@renniethumanya7443]

nice sandwich .if anyone is offended buy a Bunny pet and look after it.

[@roses993]

I'm not offended. Bunnies are lunch on 4 legs

[@Tdogz5o8]

it looks dry

[@lifewithdogs8513]

There cute why do you do that

[@CountvonCount33]

Because they are soooo tasty!

[@roses993]

Rabbits are ugly. Their meat is lean and has lots of protein 😋

[@mysteriousdreamer5535]

You killed little poor creature just for two sandwiches?

[@squaretorttle9400]

Yes you got a problem?

[@roses993]

Yup, bunny meat looks yummy

[@cutejw6657]

This is a rabbit not a bunny

[@Thomas-xp9oz]

They are literally the same thing.

[@mavelyncayax6452]

why are you so mean leave the poor bunny's and rabbits alone what did they ever do to you huh

[@l.s.5191]

i would rather eat fresh rabbit meat that i killed, skinned, gutted, and cooked by my own hands over buying a burger full of processed "mystery meat" from mcdonalds.

[@darkemperortheobscureone694]

If you're using that logic how about other animals that you eat? chicken? cow? pig? etch?. Stop being a hypocrite.

[@roses993]

Bunny purpose is to be eaten. Just look at nature 😋

[@mrchinee25]

What a waste of good meat. U killed a rabbit justbfor that little bit of meat? Smh

[@roses993]

Yeah bunny meat Is tasty. Has lots of protein

[@linatran7023]

Why would you do that

[@tomjones8416]

why sir why poor poor bunny #.R.I.P.bunny

[@AlexRedwine910]

This is sad :(

[@misterb6456]

Its tasty!

[@ob-ewankenobi2473]

*Disliked.... I don't like to see animals being killed, I don't like how people eat them and this offends me because of Vegetarian.*

[@davidkim7940]

You idiot... don't watch the video then

[@ob-ewankenobi2473]

David Kim How many years were you held in kindrgarden?

[@qjelly6087]

+Ewan Lehtola You're the idiot. Why are you watching these kinds of videos?

[@ob-ewankenobi2473]

+Q Jelly I was joking u sack of shit

[@faaizahjimeal716]

why do you want to eat a rabbit there animal that are having fun not to be eaten by go to hell

[@tamanayotama2461]

WAT R U TALK BOUT BITCH U SAID IF U EAT RABBIT U GO TO HELL? AND IF U EAT OTHER AN U DONT GONTO HELL WTF ITS NATURE

[@nadimasghar4630]

IKR

[@doctordolittle3652]

You are an idiotic buffoon! Why should people stop eating meat because you don't like eating it?Don't watch such videos if your offened you pathetic waste!

[@faaizahjimeal716]

Doctor Dolittle I don't care wat you think some other people agree

[@minecraftguy010]

mate shut the fuck up, you probably eat chicken right ? unless your a hippy veggie. the chicken you would eat has had a traumatic life and killed in a less humane ways aswell.