I've been thinking of useing my ferrets to hunt rabbits (aka. the Great Depression) and was wondering if anyone on this forum had ever hunted with ferrets?

I'm thinking of turning my ferret Mocha into a lethal rabbit killing machine. I've posted a picture in order to give any experienced Ferreters an idea of what I'm working with.

Just look at those eyes! Such ferocity, such cunning! (I know, it's a little blurry.) Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Hunting/Training techniques, best weapon to shoot rabbits, etc.

Thanks in advance! Red Ermine

-- Red Ermine (fearzone@home.com), March 23, 1999

Answers

I don't have the answers but I know a man who does!When he gets home tonight,I'll pick his brains & forward the info.

-- Chris (griffen@globalnet.co.uk), March 23, 1999.

I've heard of people getting rabbit fever from eating them in summer or winter, darnit I can't remember which.

-- KoFE (Your@town.USA), March 23, 1999.

I understand Al Gore is the father of ferret hunting. He may be able to offer advice. I'd use a Nikon to shoot rabbits if I were you. (try to hold it a little steadier...). Sorry I can't help with the hunting/camping kind of stuff. My idea of camping is the presidential suite at the Ritz Carlton.

-- PNG (png@gol.com), March 23, 1999.

Hi, Here's the advice I promised earlier. It is based on the use of ferrets in England. TRAINING 1.If a ferret's going to be a good hunter it will do it naturally. 2.Find your rabbit warren eg a group of rabbit holes close together. (do you call them warrens in the States?) 3.Put ferret into the entrance of one of the holes & let it go! CHOICE OF GUN 4.If you are going to shoot any escaping rabbits,I would suggest you use a shotgun (12 or 20 guage)using birdshot(size 6 or 5).I suggest a shotgun because shooting a running rabbit with a rifle is very difficult. You will need to practise !!! 5.Don't shoot your ferret by mistake !!! 6.When a rabbit makes a bolt for it,let it get to 20 or 30 yards away before you shoot at it(any closer & you will have a bloody mess,literally). PROBLEMS & TECHNIQUE 6A.When the ferret is underground keep VERY QUIET & STILL. 7.If the ferret or rabbits do not appear within 10 to 15 minutes,put gun on safe & go and listen at several holes.If you hear thumping or other noises underground,your ferret may have caught a rabbit .At this point,you either have to dig ferret + rabbit out or sit back & wait.This can take up to an hour or more ! If it has gone quiet underground,your ferret may have gone to sleep on its kill.If your ferret is well handled,you may be able to call it out! If this does not work,block all rabbit holes and go home ! Go back the next day with a carrying box or sack & try to call him again.If this still produces no results,suggest you leave carrying box/sack with water and visit regularly & hope eventually you will find your ferret asleep in his box. 8.If all of the above fail,get another ferret ! 9.In England instead of shooting rabbits,purse nets are often used as you do not then have rabbits with shot in their bodies. 10.If you decide to use purse nets,find a warren,cover all the entrances to the holes with the purse nets,lift one edge of a net to insert ferret. 11.Keep one spare net ready. 12.When a rabbit gets entangled in one of the nets,use your spare net to cover the hole again.Disentangle rabbit from net & use that as the new spare. 13.DIPATCHING rabbit.This can be done by holding rabbit by back legs & then giving the neck of the rabbit a very sharp blow with edge of hand or blunt instrument so as to kill rabbit quickly & cleanly. You will know that the rabbit is dead, when after the blow to the neck,the ears will drop forward.If they do not,touch eye to see whether there is a reflex.If there is, repeat blow to back of neck immediately.

Hope this is a starter for 10.Any problems/further questions,come back.

Mike.

-- Mike (griffen@globalnet.co.uk), March 23, 1999.

FOR A START YOUR FERRET DOES NOT NEED TO BE A BLOOD THIRSTY HUNTER IT CAN STILL BE A CUTE AND CUDDLEY PET.JUST BECAUSE YOUR FERRET IS USED FOR HUNTING IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT IS GOING TO BE NASTY FERRET.I HAVE KEPT FERRETS AS PETS FOR A FEW YEARS AND IVE HUNTED THEM I ALSO HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN THAT PLAY WITH .

-- RON JACKSON (R.G.J@RON.FSNET.CO.UK), September 22, 2000.