Ferreting Tips

[Beastmaster1980 40]

I have kept ferrets for a couple of years now and have had two litters this year. Have done quite a bit of netting but never had the success of that "big bag" just a couple of rabbits here and there. Was wondering if there was any tips or advice before i start this season? Do i feed before taking them out? Whats the best age to enter the ferrets at quarry as i have kept two gills back from the litters which are now four months and would like to give them ago? What to look for, rabbit poo near the holes or fresh digging anything else? The best time of day to ferret? The best nets to use, weight etc and any other advive you can offer. Basically what do you experienced ferrets do from taking the ferrets from the hutch to the field. Cheers Rich

[8shot 191]

alwas feed ur ferrets before going out

ull only get laid up loads if you dont

 

i normally start my ferrets of at 7.8 months..i find that if you put the kitt down the hole after another experanced ferret

has entered

 

 

nets is up to you

i started of with 10z nets which did me fine

but now i make my own yellow spun poly nets which i will never loose

i tend to stay away from hemp

as it can rot very very quick if not stored and dried properly

 

as for not getting big bags of bunnys

maybe ur land hasnt got many on there

 

just keep at it and soon ull hit double figures

 

atb 8shot

[solostoke 1]

take a dog, that will help save you time on picking warrens that have bunnies in them.

atb

[stubby 175]

Basically what do you experienced ferrets do

 

am affraid us ferrets cant talk, but were get stubby to relay our comments later

[The one 8,479]

You can only catch the rabbits thats there mate some folk have much better ground than other ferreters

[Beastmaster1980 40]

Thanks for your replies, i knew some smart arse would pick up on my spelling mistake, ferrets instead of ferreters haha Cheers Rich

[jac 12]

just out of curiosity, if you dont dig a ferret out , how long will it stay down a hole? have never had a ferret i am thinking of getting one to put down holes to get rabbits out for the dog . cant you just keep it on a long line?

[stubby 175]

. cant you just keep it on a long line?

 

do yourself and any ferret a favour, get some books on ferreting and read,read,read

[jac 12]

don't worry , I would not get any animal an less I new the ins and outs of caring for it. and I dont have a clue about Ferrets, so exspect some strange questions.

[pencoed hunter 7]

First read up on it then try and go out with some experienced ferreters and see how then do it learn some tips off them. another handy thing is get a dog to mark up the holes

[twiggy 12]

Do u hear stubby the master ferreter hes been ferreting for 3 years and knows it all. your always ignorant to every newbie asking questions. wise up there only asking advice.DID u know every thing from the start.

[ferret1 6]

as said before you can only catch rabbits that are in the burrows so dont be disheartened in small bags it will happen one day just keep at it mate. As for working ferrets on a line this used to be how it was done before the modern locators. A hob was used and was called a liner, a long line with knots tied in it at internals was attached to the ferret and he was then entered into the warren to find another ferret that had killed in, he would then kick the other ferret off the rabbit and stay with it until he was dug out. There was alot of work involved in this method as you had to dig a series of hole to follow the the line to the ferret. When i am teaching new comers i show them this method before showing them the locator as i feel it is important for people to understand all aspects of what we do. I hope this helps.

Edited August 14, 2009 by ferret1

[jac 12]

thanks Ferret1 interesting stuff

[pencoed hunter 7]

Ye I have herd something like that of the hob pushing the jill out

[ferret1 6]

Yes i work jills with out collars and use a hob with a collar if the jills kill in. My jills are small and they can get through the nets with out disturbing them and a collar will get caught in the nets when they go through them. It works really well.