Not Sure Whether To Re-Stock

[Neal 1,888]

The farms where I have permission are gradually being covered by a tide of concrete. My two jills died early last year and these two factors, combined with the birth of my second child last year made me decide not to get any more ferrets in the short term.

 

However, my current pup is now six months old and looks destined to a future of free-lance bushing/raking about/mooching only.

 

I'm torn between several options. I could wait until I get some more permission...though I'm a non-driver which is why I've always been happy with the small piece of permission I do have as, although it's small, it's within walking distance. The main thing which puts me off this is that I don't want to stall his ferreting career indefinitely when, surely, he'll do better with an earlier start. I could go ahead and get a couple of ferrets in order to get him accustomed to them while waiting...though this means a couple of redundant ferrets in the short term at least. Alternatively, I could make the most of the diminishing area and continue ferreting until it disappears. Ironically, the main hedgerow I've previously focused on will remain but with a housing estate either side of it. My final option is to keep the status quo and use him for bushing etc...though I hasten to add that I'm certainly not implying this is a poor relation to having him as a ferreting dog.

 

Obviously, everybody's circumstances are different so I'm not really asking for advice but rather any opinions about what any of you would do. Any thoughts?

[beast 1,884]

get a ferret kit and let them grow up together as mates, you will always have the option then, and the ferret need not be redundant, can just be a pet round the place

[The one 8,533]

Give somebody a day out with your pup on your permission

[TOMO 27,407]

Get a ferret or two,,,there still great pets,,,plus it's easier to break a pup to ferrets ,,,,and whilst I commend your going on permission ,,,,what about wandering off for a sly mooch on other bits of land,,and whilst you don't drive,,get on the bus.. and try a few new spots

[Neal 1,888]

Thanks for the ideas!

 

While walking the kelpies this morning I did have another idea, similar to the one's, of palling up with somebody with ferrets but no dog. Both good ideas and still time to mull it over. I've still got my nets, locator, collars and carrying boxes but I'd need a new hutch/cub/court as I gave my last cub away to a neighbour for her son to use for his guinea pigs.

 

Before I make a final decision I'll also have a chat with the farmer to see if he has any idea of timescale for the development.

[Jamie m 668]

The farms where I have permission are gradually being covered by a tide of concrete. My two jills died early last year and these two factors, combined with the birth of my second child last year made me decide not to get any more ferrets in the short term.

 

However, my current pup is now six months old and looks destined to a future of free-lance bushing/raking about/mooching only.

 

I'm torn between several options. I could wait until I get some more permission...though I'm a non-driver which is why I've always been happy with the small piece of permission I do have as, although it's small, it's within walking distance. The main thing which puts me off this is that I don't want to stall his ferreting career indefinitely when, surely, he'll do better with an earlier start. I could go ahead and get a couple of ferrets in order to get him accustomed to them while waiting...though this means a couple of redundant ferrets in the short term at least. Alternatively, I could make the most of the diminishing area and continue ferreting until it disappears. Ironically, the main hedgerow I've previously focused on will remain but with a housing estate either side of it. My final option is to keep the status quo and use him for bushing etc...though I hasten to add that I'm certainly not implying this is a poor relation to having him as a ferreting dog.

 

Obviously, everybody's circumstances are different so I'm not really asking for advice but rather any opinions about what any of you would do. Any thoughts?

 

Get yourself some driving lessons ; )

[The one 8,533]

Aye it doesn't help you cant drive most of the farmers sold up here for housing and i went with them and with the money they got they bought bigger places and most of the folk next door where happy to give me permission as well it was a win win situation for me

[northern lad 2,292]

Like Tomo said,get a couple of kits,at worst you've a couple of nice pets....I kept em for years and only got into working them in the last 5 years

[Hands of Stone 154]

The less permission you've got, the more you got to make of it..... I've got permision on a couple of farms and theres hardly a bunny there till you get up to edge of the village....

[Neal 1,888]

Thanks for all the advice/opinions/feedback!

[TOMO 27,407]

Never to old to learn to drive Neal ,,,me mum did when she was 40,,,, and a good friend of mine ,,same age as me only passed his test last year

[Neal 1,888]

Thanks Tomo...I did learn just after my Mum died in 2000 but failed three tests and didn't bother again. Partly because I remember Jeremy Clarkson saying that if you can't pass in three attempts you should give up and also because I moved to somewhere where driving to get the dogs out was no longer necessary but mainly because I really didn't enjoy driving!

 

I've always found the journey as enjoyable as actually getting somewhere. Probably because neither of my parents drove growing up and we didn't have a holiday until my Mum remarried when I was about ten. When I went to Art College in Falmouth I had a girlfriend from Coniston and I loved the long journeys between Hampshire, Cornwall and Cumbria whereas most people hate commuting.

 

Wow...this is like therapy!

[talt 878]

My old ferreting partner and mentor, my uncle Bill , never had a car and as a young lad i would bicycle miles and miles with him round all of his permissions. It depends how keen you are.

[gnipper 6,622]

Get a nice soft hob ferret and a carrier bike the world's your oyster ?

[Jamie m 668]

As kids we cycled but even got the bus : / back then Sunday busses were like hens teeth . But cheap lol , but a pain the arse , especially if you were on your toes . ) the relief when you got on then gave the finger out of the back window : ) heck you could even smoke fags down the back lol ,