Advice

[Coatesy900 0]

I was wondering whether there was a hard and fast rule for how to enter ferrets. Say I had 3 ferrets, would it be better to enter them all in the same hole one after the other, in holes close to each other, or holes at opposite ends of the warren or what?

 

Im thinking one after the other in the same hole would be no different to one ferret, as the rabbit wouldnt be able to tell there was more than just the first one.

But then if I enter them at opposite ends they are more likely to trap the rabbit in a tunnel, with a ferret either side.

 

Im hoping some of you more experienced ferreters will have picked up the best technique and are willing pass it on

[para1 11]

I like to spread mine out mate.The theory being that a rabbit will push past 1 ferret but not past 2 or 3.I would not think it would make all that much difference as the ferrets will soon spread out under ground.Had good results both ways, so as you see it at the time is best.P1

[stealthy1 3,964]

I like to use two if I can fit them in the warren, my plan is to cause total chaos and force them to bolt or die, if you enter just the one they some times get run in circles, putting two in brakes that circle, my preference is to slip them into different holes just a few holes appart, every one's different, just the way I like to do it.

[The one 8,552]

If im putting in a few ferrets i like to put a couple on at either side of the bottom of the burrow give then a couple of minutes to stir things up then add more ferrets higher up the burrow

[stubby 175]

we mostly tend to put them in where ever, if theres 3 of us ferreting, we'll all enter ferts at nearest hole to where were standing, hoping for max chaos underground

[Brimmer 220]

Think you have to play it wise on the day. Putting lots of ferrets down will deffo get them moving, but putting capable ferrets down will end up in lots of deaths underground.

Knowing the animals has to be the key, and I'd only add them one at a time as needed.

Some rabbits won't respect certain ferrets, but as soon as a match is dropped in they know it and bolt or get nailed.

Think of it as levels, 1,2,and 3. Work out for yourself which your ferrets are and whether whats left in is worth it.

[will.f11 24]

If I work 1, I like to work from bottom of the set, with 2 ferrets one at each end so they work towards each other. But with 3 I like one at each end and one in middle. But its all down to personal preference

[victor 10]

if i enter 2 ferrets, i put them as far away as possibal so then there is a chance that if thay are only on one side then like. thay'll be chased quicker...

[skycat 6,174]

A lot depends on the size of warren you are working, the way your ferrets work and how many people there are there. Nothing worse than entering several ferrets at opposite ends of a sizable warren and only one person to keep an eye on them. If the cover is thick you won't see the ferrets move off from the warren if they come out on top.

 

With a medium sized warren we tend to put 2 or 3 at one end of the warren, but a ways apart: that way we hope to drive the rabbits to the other end of the warren rather than ferrets from opposite ends of a warren which, as has already been said, is more likely to result in lay ups.

 

A lot also depends on the depth of the tubes: shallow warrens bolt better than deep ones where you're more likely to end up digging.

 

Also a lot depends on the type of ferrets: bolters, killers, stay with em merchants in a stop end etc etc. Its a matter of using different styles of ferrets in different warrens. At the end of the day only experience and time will tell you what is right to use in what situation.

[inan 841]

A lot depends on the size of warren you are working, the way your ferrets work and how many people there are there. Nothing worse than entering several ferrets at opposite ends of a sizable warren and only one person to keep an eye on them. If the cover is thick you won't see the ferrets move off from the warren if they come out on top.

 

With a medium sized warren we tend to put 2 or 3 at one end of the warren, but a ways apart: that way we hope to drive the rabbits to the other end of the warren rather than ferrets from opposite ends of a warren which, as has already been said, is more likely to result in lay ups.

 

A lot also depends on the depth of the tubes: shallow warrens bolt better than deep ones where you're more likely to end up digging.

 

Also a lot depends on the type of ferrets: bolters, killers, stay with em merchants in a stop end etc etc. Its a matter of using different styles of ferrets in different warrens. At the end of the day only experience and time will tell you what is right to use in what situation.

I agree the type of ground is paramount.Magwitch and I did a copse recently ,using the quickset nets ,as we couldn't get a stop net across the bury one of us stood at the unnetted end ,put all the ferrets in that area,with a view to pushing the rabbits away to the netted bit, it worked quite well.