Do I need written permission to use ferrets on farmland?

FERRETS
Edward Cook
I personally think there is already enough paperwork involved in day-to-day life without adding to it when taking the ferrets out.

But – the time a letter of written permission really can help is if you get pulled by the Old Bill when you’re working a farm.

You can then prove you’re not poaching, which is nice, and you don’t have to down tools and disturb the farmer by knocking on his door at inconvenient times of the day, or night.

What I do recommend is that it helps to phone the police if you are going to use a lurcher.

Here in Hampshire the simple sight of a running dog can cause such hassle from some officers, that you would believe they’re totally ‘anti’ us ferreting types!

About the author

Edward Cook

A professional rabbit catcher and ferreting expert, he served for many years on the Shooting Times question-and-answer panels, answering readers on ferret feeding, welfare and working, and wrote features on rabbit control, including shooting alongside the combine harvester.

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