Rabbit hunting on Endelave: Fritz the Ferret & and the Rabbits
Photo: nordicaoutdoors - My first rabbits
On a cold December weekend in 2020, I participated in my very first rabbit hunt on Endelave. A little pearl in the sea outside Horsens Fjord. I was invited by my good friends Malte and Esben, also known as the two guys behind the Instagram profile @Nordicaoutdoors.
Muskox burger and rabbit safari
Endelave is a very small island with only 153 inhabitants. An island with many more wild rabbits than people. There is a population so large that it is allowed to regulate the rabbits with hunting all year round, as they cause great damage to agricultural fields.
It was a Friday afternoon, the other guys and I met at the Endelave ferry at Snaptun harbour. We only had an hour's sail before we arrived at the beautiful island. Our good hosts served a delicious Greenlandic musk ox burger before we set off on a rabbit safari.
When I lived in Australia in 2015, I was told to drive extremely carefully at night because of all the active kangaroos along the roads. That flashback hit me as I sat in the car looking at hundreds of wild rabbits in people's gardens, on the roads, fields and on the beach. They were everywhere. I suddenly understood why the island is called "the island of thousands of wild rabbits".
Fritz and Loco Lotte
The smell of coffee, toast and smoked reindeer. It was the beginning of an exciting day. We were all, more or less, dressed in Sitka camo and were more than ready for a day of action. I am enormously curious when it comes to increasing my knowledge and learning new things about hunting. So I quickly jumped at the chance to help the hosts get the ferrets ready for the hunt.
We decided to take two fries with us. Fritz and Loco Lotte. When hunting with ferrets, it is very common to put a GPS collar on them so you always know where they are when they are working underground. The ferrets are transported in a wooden box with holes and straw.
Photo: GPS collar for the ferrets
Photo: Fritz and Loco Lotte are ready to hunt
First ride of the day
We drove out to a deserted and old airport. They were basically just fields, totally destroyed by rabbits. We split up into two teams of four hunters. I have on team Mark, Nikolaj and Gordon. We're on a straight line, which is very important in terms of safety. Fritz the ferret was placed in front of the rabbit holes. We waited in suspense. Without really knowing how and when something would happen. None of us had tried this kind of hunt before, so we all shared the same feeling of nervousness and excitement at the same time.
From the outside, four hunters standing around waiting for a rabbit to leave the hole at full speed may seem brutal, but it actually makes a lot of sense in terms of minimising the risk of injuring a rabbit. If a wounded rabbit runs back into a hole, you have no chance of finding it and you may risk the ferret "sitting" on it.
My hunting friend Gordon and I stood together on the right side of the hedge. Fritz was still working down in the holes. We waited in suspense for something to suddenly happen. Which ready position is best? How fast does a rabbit really run? Oh, be careful not to shoot the ferret, wait for the rabbit to leave the hedge before pulling the trigger. These were just some of the many thoughts that ran through my head as we waited.
Photo: Gordon and me waiting for the first rabbit
First rabbit killed
Out of nowhere a rabbit comes out of the hole at full speed and away from us. To my own surprise I managed to mount, aim and pull the trigger(see a video of it here).
Filled with joy, I ran down to my first wild rabbit. Wow, what an experience and what a beautiful animal. Soft and extremely cute. My friends were as excited as I was. This is one of the reasons why I really love sharing my hunting experiences with friends. Having these unique moments together and making memories.
Photo: my first wild rabbit
Foro: I squeeze the urine out of the rabbit to ensure that the taste of the meat is not affected
Photo: the left side of the hedge also had success on their first trip. On the first trip, we got two good handfuls of rabbits - and that was just the beginning of an action-packed day. Mark, Nikolaj and me.
Wild rabbits on the beach
During the day we take tours to different places on the island. One tour in particular was the most unreal and beautiful surroundings. It was on the beach. Everyone, standing in a straight line, and the ferrets are working. We supported each other and wished each other congratulations.
Photo: @Nordicaoutdoors - Gordon, Ulrik and me
From field to fork
After an unforgettable and intense hunt, we drove back to the house. Everyone started shining and slaughtering the rabbits. One of my favorite professional chefs from Denmark, Nikolaj Juel, planned the perfect Endelave dinner for all of us. Rabbit ragout of freshly shot wild rabbits.
Photo: wild rabbits, newly slaughtered
Photo: rabbit stew made by Nikolaj Juel and enjoyed by us all.
A picture prevents a memory from being forgotten.
This story is written with a smile. A smile that comes automatically when I think of this hunting weekend with my friends. Hunting is so much more than just pulling the trigger. Hunting is friendships. Thank you, Malte and Esben for inviting me on a hunting trip I will never forget. Thank you, Nikolaj, Mark, Jonas, Ulrik and Gordon, for your company.
Photo: @Nordicaoutdoors - Nikolaj, Mette, Mark, Jonas, Malte, Gordon, Ulrik and Esben behind the camera
