CHAP. XXIV.

How to take Hares and Rabets by Nets, &c.

I shall next proceed to shew you several ways how to take Hares and Coneys, and so con∣clude this Discourse of Hunting; first giving you some Figures, and then give you Directions for the ordering them for use.

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[ 10] These Nets are proper either for Hares or [ 20] Rabets, but they must be placed as hereafter fol∣loweth. Observe the Path or Tract in any Copice or Furrow by which any Hare useth to pass, like∣wise how the Wind is, that you may so set the Net that the Hare and Wind may come toge∣ther. If the Wind be side-ways it may do well enough▪ but never if the Wind blow over the [ 30] Net into the Hares face, for he will scent both it and you at a great distance. The two pointed Lines A. B. C. D denote the Foot-path by which the Game useth to pass; then prepare three or more Stakes, according to the length of your Net; the Stakes should be about the bigness of ones Thumb, and about four foot long, sharpned at the greater end, and a little crooked at the smaller R. S. T. Stick them in the ground some∣what slooping, as if so forced by the Wind; two [ 40] of them must be set at the two sides of the way and the rest in the midst as you see occasion. They must only hold up the Net from falling, but in a very slight manner, that if the Game run a∣gainst it, it may fall down, and so entangle him. Be sure to hide your self in some Ditch or Bush, behind some Tree, or in such like place behind the Net, for if you should be perceived your expectation would be frustrated; nor indeed should you walk in the Path-way by which you expect [ 50] the Game to come, for they will have some imper∣fect scent of you. When you perceive the Game to be past you, give a Shout, flinging your Hat at them, which will put them into such a surprize, that they will spring on, and run just into the Net, so that you must be nimble to take them, lest they break out and make their escape. This Net is not so good in windy Weather as in Calm.

The middlemost of the three Figuers I shall [ 60] next explain. It must beset much after the same manner as the former, as to the Way and Wind. You see how the two Cords at each end of the Net ought to be disposed; next you must have two Sticks K, L, M, N, each four foot long, and thrice as big as ones Thumb, they must be cut exactly smooth at each end, and placed in this manner; Take the Stick K, L, and put it on the edge of the Way upon the Cord L, which is at the bottom of the Net; The other Cord must be placed on the top of the Stick; then go along behind the Net, supporting it with your hand, and place your second Stick just as you did the first; you should endeavour to let your Net lean a little towards the way by which you expect your Game will come, for the Game running fierce∣ly against the Net, will force the Sticks to give way, and so the Net falls on him.

There is another Net represented by the last Figure, which is less troublesom than either of the former, only it may be further discerned; however it is excellent for Rabets in such Foot∣paths, where sometimes you have three or four Couple runing after one another, all which may be taken at once, for it doth not fall as the two former.

The two former are useful for taking Wolves, Foxes, Badgers, and Polecats, as well as Hares and Coneys; but the latter only for Hares and Coneys. The true time to set these Nets is at Day-break, until half an hour before Sun-rise; and from about half an hour before Sun-set, un∣til Dark-night.

I shall forbear to instruct you further in the setting this last Net, the representing it, together with the preceding Rules being sufficient, only this is of another make, and indeed a Net inclosed within two others.

There are three or four other ways to take both Hares and Coneys with Nets at any time of the day, especially if you know any Furz-Bushes or strong Thickets, where they use to resort. I shall not need to trouble you with the Forms of the Nets, only the Names shall suffice. You must observe which way in probability the Hare will take, and at twelve or fourteen Paces distance, pitch your Net in a Semicircle; then fetch a compass about and beat the Bush, and you can't well miss; for Rabets will make to their Burrows, and Hares to the Coverts.

The Nets that are of use for this purpose are called Hays, and are common to be bought at any Shop that sells Nets; you may have them longer or shorter as you think fit, about fifteen or twenty Fathom is a good length, and for depth a Fathom.

Rabets do often straggle abroad about Mid∣day for fresh Grass; when you perceive any store to be gone forth to some remote Brakes or Thick∣ets, get one with you, and pitch two or three of these Hays about their Burrows, and lie close there. In case you have not Nets enough to en∣close all their Burrows, you may stop some with Stones, Bushes, or the like; then go with your Coney-Dog to hunt up and down at a good di∣stance, beating the Bushes, and drawing on by degrees, and the Man that is with you, which lieth close by the Hay, may take them as they bolt into the Hay.

Your Purse-Nets are very useful to take both Hares and Rabets at certain times, but you must watch them, else they will soon bite through and escape; they are to be placed in their Meshes through Hedges, and in their Burrows or Holes.Page  112 These Purse-Nets are also well known, and common to be bought in Shops that sell Nets. Three or four Dozen of these Nets are sufficient to lay over the Holes, and be sure to fasten them by tying the Strings to some Sticks thrust into the Earth, otherwise when the Rabets bolt out, they will run away, and get out of the Nets.

When your Purse-Nets are all fixed, and e∣very thing in order, there must be one or two to [ 10] lie close to see what Game comes home, whilst in the mean time you beat the Bushes, and hunting at a distance to force them home; and if in case you have not Purse-Nets enough to lay over all the Berries, then stop those that remain with Earth, Bushes, or the like, to keep them out.

There is another way to take Rabets with these Purse-Nets, and that is at their coming out of their Berries, and you must Feret them out [ 20] in this manner; first, hunt up and down to force them all in; then spread your Nets over the Burrows, and so put in your Feret, or Ferets, with a Bell about their Necks, which will give notice of their coming to the Rabets, who en∣deavouring to avoid the Ferets will bolt out into the Purse-Nets; from whence you must imme∣diately take them, before the Ferets seize them, and when they come out of the Burrows, put them in again. You must Cope their Mouths, [ 30] that is, tye up their Chaps with some fine Pack∣thread, which will hinder their seizing on the Rabets, and sucking their Blood; for when their Bellies are full, they will lie in their Burrows and sleep, so that you may wait above half a day before they will come forth, so that your Sport will be spoiled.

Some use to shoot a Gun into the Berries to awaken them; but I hold not that a good way, for it will terrifie the Rabets, and occasion them [ 40] to forsake the Berries.

You ought not to destroy too many Does, but of the old Bucks the more the better.

The Hay, as well as the Purse-Nets, must be made use of with your Ferets; for if they e∣scape the Purse-Nets, then they are taken in the Hay.

For the keeping your Ferets observe these few Directions; Let them be lodged in some Hutch or Hutches, or for want thereof in Tubs, with [ 50] clean Straw, which ought to be shifted every three or four Days; give them every Morning and Evening some warm Milk from the Cow, and for want thereof, sometimes a warm Egg, the white and yolk being beaten together. You may sometimes Reward them when they hunt, with the Eye, or some part of a Rabet. You must carry your Ferets in Bags, and so carry them home again; also feed them with Sheeps-Hearts and raw Flesh. [ 60]

As to the taking Hares and Coneys with Slip∣ping-Knots, Collars, or the like Nooses, although the ways are common to many, yet I shall speak something of them.

In setting these Runing-Knots rub them over, as also your Hands and the Soles of your Shoes, with some of the Crosels of a Hare, or with some green Wheat, or the like; for they are of so quick a smell, that you will else be disco∣vered.

In planting your Collar, make the least alte∣ration imaginable; for old Hares are as subtle and jealous as Foxes, and their custom is when they come to any Hedge through which they use to pass, to scrape with their Fore-feet round about the Mesh, both before and in it, ere they will adventure through, so that you shall often find your Knot slipt aside and drawn, which you will hardly believe; yet Experience hath de∣monstrated it in the same, place fifteen or twenty days together, so that for the greater security, it will not be amiss to plant a second Runing-Knot flat on the ground, just under that which you spread abroad, by which means you may take the Hare by the hinder parts. This second is intended to surprize him by the Foot, and one or the other will hardly fail.

It is the nature of the Hare, being once taken in any of these Knots, to pull with all his strength, and he seldom or never turns about like the Ra∣bet, to bite off the hold-fast; you should there∣fore use Latin-wier double twisted, which will be sure to hold either Hare or Rabet, or else as this Figure directs.

Take a little Stake T, twice as big as ones Thumb, and about a Foot long; at the upper end S, make a Hole big enough to receive the Tip of ones Little-finger; then make your Collar of strong Packthread or Wier; if of the latter, tye the end of it to any strong Packthread, which draw through the Hole of the Stake, and fasten it to some strong Bough, which you must bend down towards the Stake; then put a short Peg of about an Inch long, and somewhat less than ones Little-finger very gently into the Hole S, so that the Branch being let go may not slip your Knot, but may stand bent. Then open your Collar R to the largeness of the Mesh, and if any Rabet or Hare be taken, and they turn about to bite off their Chain, they presently rub out the little Peg, then the Bough flies back and strangles it. This is an excellent way to take any Vermin.

I should now proceed to shew you several ways to take Deer, both with Toyls or Nets, and without, as also the manner of making them; but I forbear, lest I should be thought to teach the Art of stealing Venison; Custom and the Laws having so prevailed amongst us, as to discoun∣tenance all ways of taking them, but by hunting them with Dogs.

Page  113 I shall next proceed to some few Observations about Parks, and so conclude this Discourse of Hunting, with the Laws relating thereunto, as also to Forests.