One of my jills killed a rabbit below ground and refused to come out. Should I have put a hob or liner ferret down the burrow to chase her out. Does this ploy work or is it an old wives' tale?
Would you like to appear on our site? We offer sponsored articles and advertising to put you in front of our readers. Find out moreFerrets
EDWARD COOK says:
Personally speaking, I find it’s best to fit locators to all my ferrets rather than follow the route suggested by your friend.
Although they don’t always work 100% of the time they are normally pretty effective.
If one should fail while a ferret is underground it’s a simple matter of letting another ferret work through the burrow in the hope it will lay up with the lost ferret.
It should then be a straightforward job of digging down and retrieving both of them.
If this ploy fails then it’s always worth having another ferret to hand that doesn’t get on with his companions.
In human terms this critter would be deserving of an asbo – an animal that frightens the pants off the others and scares them out of the burrow.
Sod’s Law says that a ferret will lay-up when darkness is just about to descend – such problems always happen on ‘the last burrow of the day’ when you really should have packed up and gone home!
I wouldn’t recommend using a ‘liner’ – it’s an outdated approach that’s been superseded by battery-powered locator systems which are a lot less hard work.
If all fails and night falls you will have to block up most of the holes and put cage traps over the others in an attempt to catch the missing ferret by morning.
The five-year phase-out of lead shot has failed, but the Government’s response to the HSE report is overdue and the transition is complex
Get the latest news delivered direct to your door
Discover the ultimate companion for field sports enthusiasts with Shooting Times & Country Magazine, the UK’s leading weekly publication that has been at the forefront of shooting culture since 1882. Subscribers gain access to expert tips, comprehensive gear reviews, seasonal advice, and a vibrant community of like-minded shooters.
With weekly issues featuring in-depth articles on gundog training, exclusive member offers, and £2 million public liability insurance, a Shooting Times & Country subscription is more than a magazine – it’s your essential guide to the rich traditions and thrilling world of field sports. Don’t just read about the countryside; immerse yourself in its most authoritative and engaging publication.