Over Keen Ferret.

[3 and counting 22]

Got a question for you peeps on here but waiting for loads of people to slate me and say that i shouldn't be hunting etc.

 

Here goes,

 

Took the ferts out today for a quick mooch on a new permo. Been working them for a couple of months almost every weekend, and had no problems until today. Worked a few holes and came up blank so moved on into some woods. Found a warren with 15 clear holes on a steep hill, but probably missed a few due to the amount of leaves on the ground. Netted up and sent in one of the jills. She disappeared for a while then out bolts bunny followed by the fert. My son took the ferret up to the top of the hill to put her down again while I dispatched the bunny. All sorted and hole re-netted we waited for another to bolt. Jill pops out of a hole and starts wandering round the ground following a scent she seemed interested in. I went to pick her up to pop her back down but was greeted by a harsh nip on the thumb, probably able to smell the rabbit on my hands as I spoke to her first and approached from the front so as not to shock her.

 

Main question is, If I wear gloves while handling the rabbits would this stop her biting me, if I took them off after or would the smell still be there.

 

She doesn't normally bite, wouldn't trust her 100% but you never can really.

 

Before someone comes up with the idea of telling me to go out with someone who knows what there doing can i ask them to then provide contact details of someone in North Devon who can give advise and maybe a day out, as It all seems to go hush-hush with regards to who works ferrets as you get lower than Somerset.

 

 

[Guest norseman]

i dont think it'll be the smell, but more that she is full of adrenaline maybe? well i found mine to be a bit jumpy when there on the rabbits (especially the hob, mad as feck when he surfaces) but it was never a proper bite, just the odd nip.

[Country Joe 1,411]

give her a lot more handling, i can gut rabbits and still pick my ferrets up. work on her over the summer.

And yes, unless your a pester, or you have a heavy rabbit population, you will be killing rabbits carrying young.

[socks 32,253]

Nothing to do with the smell and more to do with the lack of handling .... You should be able to put your hand into a stop end move the ferret out of the way and pull out the rabbit without fear of being bitten ...... A lot more handling over the summer and chastise the ferret if it bites will cure this by next winter .............

[3 and counting 22]

She is handled daily but thanks for the advise. I'll work on her more over the summer and she how she goes

[socks 32,253]

There is handling where you pick her up and stroke her and put her back in the cage then there is handling where you get her out and play with her role her over on her back ruffle her head etc etc etc ... By doing that you will get her used to being grabbed anywhere at any time and even if she is excited she should then still accept your hand ................

[AirgunGuy 362]

Had something similar last week though my jill didnt try to bite...she just wasnt here usual self. She's only last yeats kit but i've worked her quite a bit in the last few months and she's been great bolting maybe 50-60 rabbits on max 10-12 holers. Only had 2 digs with her and any time a rabbit bolts she's out at its arse and away back down if there's more there. Anyway...had a look at her and she'd started to swell slightly so i put it down to the fact that she's coming into season. Could be the same with yours mate. Mine are handled dailly by me and the kids and they've never bit once.

 

Another strange thing happened with her. I was walkin along a fenceline. The dogs were checkin holes. As i walked past 1 I saw something move in 1 of the holes....thought it was a rabbit so tried puttin the jill down. She wouldn't go down and moments later she was sniffin, dancin about, hissin and her tail was like a fox brush. We came to the conclusion that it was a stoat or somethin like that that was fcukin about. couple of strange mishaps so i just put it down to tye fact that comin into seaon ;+)

[The one 8,463]

i'd of left her wandering about she probably would of gone to ground in a another burrow reset the net and your back ferreting , but as said she shouldn't have bit you

[3 and counting 22]

Had her out today for a play around and to see how she was, and all back to normal. Usually do play a little rough with her anyway, as said rolling her onto her back etc etc. Also checked her over again (checked a few days ago) to see if she is coming into season and there is a little swelling there, so could explain it.

 

Cheers for the advise.

 

Bri

[The one 8,463]

It coming to the end of the season but get her out as often as you can work her hard and it might stop her silliness and she might rember some of it for next season but it sounds if its just excitement in a young ferret