Amateur Ferrets

[rob190364 2,594]

I've got a couple of ferrets and have only just started ferreting. Have been now 4 times and each time has been the same, I've spent a good 10 or 15 minutes setting up the purse nets, put the ferrets in and they haven't quite grasped what they're supposed to do yet. They will basically keep popping up at each hole literally a minute or two after being at the other hole, they never seem to go deep into the burrow. The frustrating part about it is that every time they pop their heads out they tangle the net with their collars. So instead of having an enjoyable day rabbiting I have an extremely frustrating day of untangling purse nets and leaving with no rabbits....in 4 trips I've caught just 1 rabbit!!!

 

I know I'll get replies saying my ferrets are no good and that I should get some that are from a working strain, that's the easy option but what I'm after is some advice on how to make my ferrets good at working. For the next couple of trips I'm thinking of putting them down a few burrows without using nets, and then when they've got used to bolting rabbits I'll go back to using nets again. That way they'll also get fitter because they won't be sat in the box waiting for me to set up the nets. Anyone any ideas? I'm hoping that when they've chased a few rabbits they'll understand why they're there any will get better.

[watchman 256]

I've got a couple of ferrets and have only just started ferreting. Have been now 4 times and each time has been the same, I've spent a good 10 or 15 minutes setting up the purse nets, put the ferrets in and they haven't quite grasped what they're supposed to do yet. They will basically keep popping up at each hole literally a minute or two after being at the other hole, they never seem to go deep into the burrow. The frustrating part about it is that every time they pop their heads out they tangle the net with their collars. So instead of having an enjoyable day rabbiting I have an extremely frustrating day of untangling purse nets and leaving with no rabbits....in 4 trips I've caught just 1 rabbit!!!

 

I know I'll get replies saying my ferrets are no good and that I should get some that are from a working strain, that's the easy option but what I'm after is some advice on how to make my ferrets good at working. For the next couple of trips I'm thinking of putting them down a few burrows without using nets, and then when they've got used to bolting rabbits I'll go back to using nets again. That way they'll also get fitter because they won't be sat in the box waiting for me to set up the nets. Anyone any ideas? I'm hoping that when they've chased a few rabbits they'll understand why they're there any will get better.

think you pretty much covered it with the second statement mate,they will soon calm down when they know what they are lookig for keep at it mate atb

[johnny boy68 11,726]

Firstly are there rabbits in the warrens?If so you've just got to perservere with them,i just started mine off now the one jill is bolting them for fun the other one dosen't want to know yet,just keep trying them.

[rob190364 2,594]

Firstly are there rabbits in the warrens?If so you've just got to perservere with them,i just started mine off now the one jill is bolting them for fun the other one dosen't want to know yet,just keep trying them.

think so, there are plenty of rabbit muck around and with the first one I tried today a rabbit bolted almost straight away but the ferrets seemed completely oblivious to it.

[johnny boy68 11,726]

Firstly are there rabbits in the warrens?If so you've just got to perservere with them,i just started mine off now the one jill is bolting them for fun the other one dosen't want to know yet,just keep trying them.

think so, there are plenty of rabbit muck around and with the first one I tried today a rabbit bolted almost straight away but the ferrets seemed completely oblivious to it.

Muck outside isn't always a sure sign of it being occupied,are you using a dog for marking or just trying holes?

[rob190364 2,594]

Firstly are there rabbits in the warrens?If so you've just got to perservere with them,i just started mine off now the one jill is bolting them for fun the other one dosen't want to know yet,just keep trying them.

think so, there are plenty of rabbit muck around and with the first one I tried today a rabbit bolted almost straight away but the ferrets seemed completely oblivious to it.

Muck outside isn't always a sure sign of it being occupied,are you using a dog for marking or just trying holes?

Don't have a working dog yet, I'm just using nets. At some point next year I'm going to get a lurcher but at the moment it wouldn't make much difference as they rarely bolt anything anyway.

[john rust 45]

Alright mate if you can try putting a proven worker in and yours right behind it. It should follow the worker and hopefully pick up what it should be doing. ATB and stick with it John. Where in Cheshire are you.

[rob190364 2,594]

Alright mate if you can try putting a proven worker in and yours right behind it. It should follow the worker and hopefully pick up what it should be doing. ATB and stick with it John. Where in Cheshire are you.

I'm in Northwich.

[The one 8,481]

Start off with pipe;s in the garden mate and take it from there once threre running threw them

[john rust 45]

Alright mate if you can try putting a proven worker in and yours right behind it. It should follow the worker and hopefully pick up what it should be doing. ATB and stick with it John. Where in Cheshire are you.

I'm in Northwich.

 

Thers plenty of rabbits round there mate, done abit down there myself (I think Iam up there tonight). Stick at it and it will click. ATB John

[liftboy1 0]

I had this problem years ago, how I sorted it was by putting them down holes constantly and they seemed to o deeper and deeper and also as one said pipes are like warren simulators, also putting a top worker in the warren will teach young`uns the ropes. ATB John

[Brimmer 220]

If you want to get them going and find out which are the promising ones, first make sure there are bunnies at home, find a small warren,(Only a few holes) block the holes instead of leaving them open or netted, and throw a couple in.

The sooner they engage with a live rabbit, the sooner they switch on. Hardly ever seeing a rabbit, or the tail end of one swiftly on its way, is going to take ages before they get dialled in. And many trips.

[Quixote 9]

Sounds as though it's the first season for both you, and the ferts? Absolutely no shame in that mate, we all started in exactly the same way! Just keep at it......the more you're out, the more you'll learn. As for the ferts? I know it's frustrating, but if they're youg 'uns it'll take a while for them to settle in to working. Each trip you take they'll be learning too, & as the more they're out the quicker they'll start to work the buries deeper as they gain confidence! Just keep at it mate, it'll come good

[ferreterni 29]

It used to drive me mad when I started ferreting them doing this, it just takes a bit of practice. The tangling in the net too takes time, they do learn eventually, ( most anyway) what type of nets are you using? The thin 4z nylon ones will tangle constantly, if you are using heavier then they will catch on, if not then you will likely find yourself upgrading to heavier nets, or a longnet to circle the bury.

 

Above all keep them at it, and as said if you can get an experienced ferret to help, or a dog that gives a certain mark will help you. Learning is all part of the fun for you and the ferrets. Happy hunting.

[The one 8,481]

There like kids mate they take a while to mature and learn the job they might be into there second season before there working properly stick with them the more you take them out the quicker they should learn