Big Hob The Problem?

[CraignTod 278]

Ok so ive been ferreting around 10-15 times with this ferret, first 5-10 times i always came back with something bareing in mind this was when he was around 4-6 months old, now hes fully grown and hes a big hob.

The last 5 times ive been out and blanked, the warrens look so fresh i could practically smell the rabbits but I continually blank, ive seen some rabbits come out half dead which hes trying to kill down the hole, but now im starting to consider buying a jill? What do you reckon?

[CraignTod 278]

He gets raw chicken about 4 legs a week you can conpare him to the drainpipe

[bhawk 64]

some ferrets seem to work deeper than others, some have better focus on the rabbits, theres so many things it could be. Its always worth having a jill too, i personally like to have "teams" i have a jill that never goes too deep but another jill who does, and my hob is an all rounder, give it time and you will learn the ferrets behaviours, not only that you have to consider the chances of wild stoat and foxes in the area, numbers of any predators can wipe out rabbits in a certain area.
It could be simple lack of knowledge of the hobs behalf, its always good to have a pro in with young ferrets. The young ferrets can learn the game from an older worker

[CraignTod 278]

Yeah ive noticed he always ends up at the top hole so ive been starting him bottom of hill sets ect but maybe hes not going down and only climbing

Thanks for the reply

[vanman1 411]

Are you using a locator,given his size he could be killing quickly and moving on .You could be leaving alot of bunnies behind!!

[Meeks 153]

Try him with an experienced Jill if you can get out with one.atb

[pie-eater 377]

As said above theres a good chance hes killing them quik and moving on. Another possibility is theres nothing home, Ive ferreted warrens that look brilliant crap everywhere and well used holes and nothing then on other occasions Ive ferreted warrens full of leaves and bolted a few.

[CraignTod 278]

As said above theres a good chance hes killing them quik and moving on. Another possibility is theres nothing home, Ive ferreted warrens that look brilliant crap everywhere and well used holes and nothing then on other occasions Ive ferreted warrens full of leaves and bolted a few.

Yeah ive learnt this too.

Maybe he is killing down the hole, but how would I know? Literally follow him with locator as soon as he stops for a minute presume hes killing? I dont hear much squeling tho?

Thanks for the reply

[Meeks 153]

I'd say if he's re-surfacing fairly quickly and you feel he's basically running through the warren he's probably just not going deep enough and following the scents deeper.even though a warren only has 5/6 holes there can be umpteen tunnels at all different depths.either that or the rabbits are making the warrens look shit hot then heading further up the banking and giving you the digit and laughing at you

[The one 8,592]

I reckon the first times you where out you got this seasons young rabbits who maybe bolted from the smell or maybe the ferret bolted them now there older and experienced you need a working ferret to go right threw a burrow and check it and bolt the rabbits unless you put a experience ferret in after your hob you will never know if hes leaving rabbits or there wasn't any there in the first place but reading your post it sounds like you have a few doubts about him ?.

[tsteve9999 456]

Are you doing the same warrens each time? Rabbits soon learn that whats waiting on the surface is worse than a ferret and seem to take their chances underground in my limited experience

[Mick C. 229]

All good info

 

Get a bit of weight off him and working on his fitness should inject a new found keeness

[bobcullen79 1,495]

Will he attack an already dead, warm rabbit if you entice him with it? If he clamps on and dont want to let go when you give it a shake and make a bit of noise its probably safe to say he`s game enough.

Ive had more blanks on polished warrens than ones that look un-used, its always the same. You see a good one, and thinking, " Theres got to be 50 in here".....net up stealthily, and out comes nothing but the ferrets.

You half heartedly net up a dodgy looking 5 holer and 4 burst out of an leaf-blocked unnoticed bolt hole to freedom

All that should be in the past now for me as Ive got a dog for next season.

Just keep trying him, try to get out with some other ferrets, see what they are doing in the same situations, and maybe just stick to small, shallow warrens for the time being, preferably ones you know to be occupied.