kkwikcalel 0 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Hey there, my hob is not always getting the bolters. Went out today, set up 65 nets on three warrens. The first one was great, he goes in and within a minute he chases one out. You know when there is no more in the burrow as he will not go back in. So he gets me another one from the burrow and we move on to a more intricate and bigger warren. This is were is gets really annoying, he is down there for ages and the only thing that seemed to bring him out was luring him out with one of the rabbits he caught. Even on the last burrow system, he was in there for about 30 minutes, when he came out he was not willing to leave. There was no indication of sleeping in as he would be in there for about 3-7 hours. I know he is catching them in there, i hate the thought as i want the rabbits and i dont want him having them all to himself. I know its in his nature, but i wanted to hear peoples thoughts on how to sort this out. I understand most people would say get a collar and dig him out. I dont really have the money at the moment, i tryed using a muzzle on him but didnt fit. Has anyone tryed using a muzzle on a ferret to stop him catching the rabbits. Has anyone had a ferret that retrieved, if on the unlikely occasion they do what is Quote Link to post
jazz_11 5 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 i wouldnt use a muzzle mate.... classed as cruel in my eyes, yes back in the day when they were ferreting for food and if they didnt catch rabbits they would go hungry..... but just think if there is a stoat or mink in that warren what the ferret going to do?.... get eaten alive. Quote Link to post
The one 8,477 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Put a locator on him and every time he stops for a few minutes dig the rabbits out Quote Link to post
stubby 175 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 pack up ferreting until you can afford a locator I wont even get into the arguments of muzzles down for 30 minutes , thats a normal amount of time, it sounds like you need the re-training and all these rabbits he's killing underground, that you cant have, so he's coming to the surface covered in blood is he, or is he chinning them instead Quote Link to post
Rolfe 2 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 As Stubby say's pack in ferreting then until you can afford a locator. Muzzles on ferrets you must be joking. Can you imagine if the ferret got trapped in a block end behind a few rabbits........or wandered off from an unseen bolt hole to die a long lingering death being unable to feed or defend itself. No......i would never muzzle a ferret and work a bury or warren with it. :( :no: Rolfe. Quote Link to post
doddsy1970 9 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 As Stubby say's pack in ferreting then until you can afford a locator. Muzzles on ferrets you must be joking. Can you imagine if the ferret got trapped in a block end behind a few rabbits........or wandered off from an unseen bolt hole to die a long lingering death being unable to feed or defend itself. No......i would never muzzle a ferret and work a bury or warren with it. :( :no: Rolfe. There seems to be a few people on here that are going round starting up ferreting the wrong way If only they would take notice of the advice given. Quote Link to post
stealthy1 3,964 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Muzzle the Mrs, ok, muzzle my ferrets, never. Quote Link to post
poacherkev 64 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Its very unfair to put a muzzle on a working ferret as under ground he will meet rats stouts foxes etc etc and he will need to fight to stay alive as you stand a much bigger risk of losing him when he gets hooked up on roots in you case its a much bigger risk as you have no locator .Tne best thing you can do is get yourself a jill and use her most of the time and on large setts stick them both in together so the rabbits dont give the one ferret the run around .As for ferrets retreiving you may get the odd ferret pull the odd rabbit out of a hole but that will be more luck then training. Quote Link to post
jazz_11 5 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 like it has been said, save up for a locator mate best way forward,,, also DODDSY your lab with that woodcock is mint..... absaloutly stunning pic 10/10 for me.. Quote Link to post
doddsy1970 9 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 like it has been said, save up for a locator mate best way forward,,,also DODDSY your lab with that woodcock is mint..... absaloutly stunning pic 10/10 for me.. Cheers mate but its not my dog, its just a pic off the internet i found........ Ive got a springer Quote Link to post
jazz_11 5 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 lol its lush anyway,,.,.... springers are the way forward i love them.... Quote Link to post
will.f11 24 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 dont muzzel it mate. If you think, the rabbit is in a stop end, and ferret is jammed up behind. The ferret isnt going to leave the rabbit because its wearing a muzzel, it will keep scratching at its back end until its dead. So its quicker if the ferret kills and moves on. But really, if you arent going to use a line etc, then get a locator Quote Link to post
doddsy1970 9 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 dont muzzel it mate. If you think, the rabbit is in a stop end, and ferret is jammed up behind. The ferret isnt going to leave the rabbit because its wearing a muzzel, it will keep scratching at its back end until its dead. So its quicker if the ferret kills and moves on. But really, if you arent going to use a line etc, then get a locator Are you sure?????? A line can get caught up under ground or twisted around roots or even strangle a ferret. There is only one thing to use and that is a locator. Quote Link to post
jazz_11 5 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 mate the rabbit can also kick the ferret to death,sounds silly but happens.. and then the ferret cant even do anything... please take the advice... Quote Link to post
kkwikcalel 0 Posted January 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 pack up ferreting until you can afford a locatorI wont even get into the arguments of muzzles down for 30 minutes , thats a normal amount of time, it sounds like you need the re-training and all these rabbits he's killing underground, that you cant have, so he's coming to the surface covered in blood is he, or is he chinning them instead Sometimes he comes to the surface with blood, other times there is squeeling and then he comes out a wee bit later. I am sure he is killing them in there, since if there was no rabbits there he is quick to come out. So the locator is the best thing i think, i cant see myself getting the ferret to drag them out, would probably tire him out abit. How often are you unable to use your loacator because of bad ground? Quote Link to post
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