Summer Ferreting

[jackferreter 0]

My good friend, and ex-gamekeeper has asked me to care for his 3 ferrets over the spring and most of the summer. They have never been worked but are only last Augusts young so would only really of been ready to work a month or so ago. He has told me I can work them over the spring and summer with my locators.

My question is, is it worth ferreting over the summer? Pros and Cons?

Also, is it okay that the ferrets are introduced to the Rabbits for the first time when the Rabbits may have young?

 

 

Thanks,

Jack

[Guest norseman]

its more a pain in the hole mate, clearing cover, killing in (as the rabbits are young) so digging plenty. you want to give the young rabbits a chance too though, and not over hunt your quarry. most people leave it over the summer months. best keeping within the season i think (unless your doing it as pest control)

[The one 8,480]

I only ferret horse paddocks during the summer as theres no cover

[jimster68 123]

i did some late ferreting last year and i WONT be doing it again ,a farmer asked me to ferret a bit of wood that he has seen some rabbits in so against my better judgement i agreed ,it was a fecking nightmare ,the ferrets found a nest of young and were moving around the warren with them ,i took me the best part of 3 hours to retrieve the ferrets ,i would dig down 3 or 4 ft and the ferrets would move on chasing young rabbits about ,deffo not for me .

having said that ,if the area your going to has shallow burrows or its easy to dig then you could give it a go ...............atb what ever you do.......jim

[digger71 7]

Surprised at an ex gamekeeper advising you to ferret them months buddy, you can try it but you will be digging alot to nests of young, and the ferret moving all over the warren killing

[pmatty77 26]

Ditto my view too much digging and doesn't seem fair game to me

[Country Joe 1,411]

years ago I was Cymaging summer rabbits for an Estate, and hated it,

So decided to ferret, this was in Summer, and it was terrible

Lot of digging Ferrets killing young underground, and baby rabbits with no idea coming out the bury, and being snapped up my my Whippet X Bedlington, not nice, and didn't enjoy it.