Ferreting

As the rabbit population grows nationwide, so has the many different forms of traditional rabbit control. Ferreting is again becoming a popular pastime for the young and old alike, serving the role of environmentally friendly pest controller for the farmers and landowners on whose land is being ferreted s well as providing, clean and healthy meat for the family table. The raw mechanics of ferreting haven’t changed a lot since the domestication of the polecats many, many years ago. Using this elite athletic mustelid to use its instincts to work the warrens, search out the rabbit and try to force it to bolt. It is impossible to pigeonhole any particular right or wrong method as each ferreting trip, like the ferreters are unique and can never be equalled.

Traditionally ferreting is carried out in the months from September to April, the undergrowth is generally dying back or is down, the rabbits big and healthy, but modern times and climate changes have changed things slightly, but we must adapt the same as nature is adapting. Our season seams to have move back a month or so in starting and finishing. Our tools, the nets both long and purse are ever changing, materials, mesh sizes, each ferreter trying new ideas to combat the changes. Lurchers, marking, catching and retrieving the rabbit that has found that missing bolt hole, working with the ferrets, these are an integral part of the team. The technology that has brought us the ferret finder sets, along with the spade an essential tool, but above all the respect we have for our quarry, the rabbit, ensuring that it is despatched as humanely, effectively and efficiently at all times for there is no place for cruelty in the countryside.

Ferrets are a good way in which the young and old can be introduced to the countryside and its traditional pastimes, the control of wildlife, many, in this urban dominated society see these animals as their path into the countryside, keeping the belief, tradition and experiences of the countryman up to date, keeping alive the history of those before us who walked the same path, taught us what we know and urged us to learn more about our skills, irrespective of where we live because being a countryman being a hunter doesn’t mean you live in the country, it’s in the blood, it’s instinct, irrespective of where you live.

Contrary to many beliefs, the countryside doesn’t run itself. It needs the help from all those who work the woodlands, fields and rivers but more importantly, those who control the many pests that inhabit our countryside. Fishing, shooting and hunting in all forms be it with ferret, falcon or foxhound help our rivers, woods and hedgerows to thrive. The benefits to all wild birds and mammals, flora and other fauna from these pursuits is easily forgotten by those who find it convenient to forget. There are many more pieces to the jigsaw, some not as high profile as shooting or fishing but never the less they have their place, for without them the balance of nature would be upset. One of these, ferreting, provides an environmentally friendly pest control service, the chance to look at the countryside and learn about nature, field craft and responsibility we have to our animals. It also provides an abundance of organic free range meat that has no cholesterol, more protein and less fat than any of out framed meats, pork, beef, lamb or poultry.

Because ferreting is becoming more popular it is important that we don’t dwell on the past too much. In 1944 Sir Winston Churchill was quoted in the House of Commons as saying

“A love of tradition has never weakened a nation, indeed it has strengthened nations in their hour of peril; but the new view must come, the world must roll forward.”

How true he was. We must look to preserve our future, using the old traditional methods that have stood the test of time but using the modern cutting edge technology the 21^st century brings with it, but only if it is truly beneficial to you, your situation and above all else your ferrets and ferreting, because ferreting is about more than just working your ferrets it is about the whole spectrum of ferret welfare, the housing, feeding and general well being of your little “workers”.

Like a lot in life, ferreting from a book or video can only give you a brief insight, then it is best taught through experience both good and bad as everyone of us is unique, our situations, terrain and indeed animals work/live differently so how can they all perform the same. That to me is the beauty of being a hunter/gatherer, using nature to control nature whilst providing a first class meat for anyone to enjoy, nothing is wasted. As stated before, we can enlighten you to the raw mechanics of ferreting; it is your duty to then fine tune your own particular style.

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