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We are in the next episode of our ferreting soap opera. I have already looked at the ferret
and the equipment so now I will briefly explain how it all comes together.
As I like working light or white ferrets the first thing I do is to distinguish between
the individual, here I am using a blue livestock marker. Now I can tell which one is doing
all of the work.
The next job is to collar the ferrets up with my MK3M ferret finder collars. I never work
any ferret without one of these fitted.
Once fitted I lay some long nets around the warren.
As you can
see when working a hedgerow, especially with a dog I dissect the rabbits route of escape
with numerous stop or short long nets.
These are all fixed nets laid out of a basket.
The purse nets are then laid over which holes we think will be most useful. It may be every
hole or just the ones we fancy.
Once the ferret is entered the rabbit has two choices. Bolt or pay the consequences
and we may have to rethink our tactics.
If all goes according to plan and the rabbit bolts, despatch it in the net efficiently
and above all else humanely. Lay the dead rabbit on the ground still inside the net
and re-lay a fresh net over the hole to prevent another rabbit making a bolt for freedom.
When the action has ceased you now have time to remove the rabbit from the net, once removed
make good the net and fold it up the net ready for next time it is called upon.
Make sure the peg is firmly in the ground as this is the point of resistance the net
requires to work properly.
One of the reasons I use Bella is the speed in which she can reach a netted rabbit. Upon
reaching them both she releases and lets the ferreter do his job but when juvenile rabbits
can skip through a net or appear from under a pile of dead leaves she is on hand to mop
them up.
As Sooty illustrates. The dog is quicker and far more graceful in doing this job.
The dog has a different view on how we ferret. Their senses are far more honed, almost telepathic
into what is going on underground and reaching a netted rabbit before it has bolted.
But sooner or later you will need to give the ferrets a helping hand and use both your
ferret finder and spade. When digging I like to use a probe. This ensures I know exactly
where the spade is going and avoid any accidents. Although ferrets learn to move away when you
break through never take this for granted.
This is where a well handled ferret is a pleasure to work with. Sometimes, especially under
trees you may need a different type of spade to help you break through.
I am often asked Why do you dig so much? Well, on many occasions we will pull two or three
rabbits out of a stop end. Do your maths and over 12 months this adds up.
Sooty here had a troublesome excavation but he pulled a few rabbits out so all the huffing
and puffing was worth it, that is the difference ensuring another satisfied customer.
You may see the rabbits kicking and twitching once despatched. Contrary to common belief
this is just the rabbits nerves dissipating their last forms of energy. The rabbit was
despatched instantly in a humane fashion and death was instantaneous.
All this wouldn't be possible with out a ferret finder.
Gloves on and the rabbits are gutted and graded ready for the butcher.
The ferreters march off already thinking about what will happen in the next episode of this
rabbiting soap opera.