Hunting with Ferrets | TAOutdoors

[@guyshuford5802]

Fun video. I have a few ferrets of my own, but in America, ferreting is, sadly, illegal. Regardless, they're very fun pets, insatiably curious and hilariously unpredictable. I've read that many ferreters have lost their rabbits due to the ferret killing the rabbit inside the burrow, eating his fill, and falling asleep. In older times, the ferreters would have to leave the nets over-night to catch their own ferret when that happens. Anyway, glad you guys can enjoy it and post the video!

[@SpiceisRice]

if the ferret stays down the hole then ye have to dig em out, that was always the technique, ye just have to make sure ye keep well trained ferrets that won't eat the meat and will come back when called. waiting over night for the ferret to come back haha that made me laugh

[@teethgrinder83]

Guy Shuford wait a minute-America is squeamish about ferreting but when it comes to humans shooting each other it’s fair game? What a strange country lol as far as ferreting in the olden days-my grandad used to go catching rabbits with his ferrets in the 30’s here in Scotland and sell them to the local butchers, pocket money and a day out for him, cheap meat for the butchers and fun for the ferret lol

[@KeikoMushi]

Apparently, some cities in the USA are allowing use of minks, ferrets and dogs to reduce rodent population. I highly recommend you check out the YT channel Joseph Carter the Mink Man as he shares his jobs.

[@disneygeek1228]

Teethgrinder 83 Yep. America seems to be going to shit, I say this as a born and raised American.

[@quantumresonance8201]

Keiko Mushi I watch the Mink man he is superb!

[@willshogren1987]

This is fascinating, I had a goofy mental picture of ferret packs running through the woods like hunting dogs or something. When I got my first, I thought they were mindless rodents and that if they got loose outdoors, you'd never see them again. Ours had a bell on the door she'd ring when she needed to go to the bathroom and she'd scratch when she wanted back inside. She had a length of PVC pipe to hide in if bigger animals were around. Wonderful creatures, I highly recommend them.

[@MrDavespade]

Are they a low maintenance pet? I am looking for a pet but myself and my wife both work long office hours so we worry they'd be left alone too many hours to maintain the animals happiness.

[@HayNoDios]

@@MrDavespade I never had ones BUT wanted them. Therefore i did some researching and all of those people who could actually show a certain degree of reputation and cared for the animals (instead of just having them as some kind of living decoration) all said the same thing and because of the results i ask you NOT to get ferrets please. Ferrets are highly social animals, i was glad to see they brought at least two (and even brothers) in the video and they really need company. There were studies (should be traceable with google) where Ferrets who were kept alone slowly succumb and lose any motivation to exist. This was the major reason why i decided not to buy a ferret. Because of work i would not be able to give them the attention they need, i wouldn´t say ferrets are "low maintenance", it is most likely the opposite. They are everything but lazy and need a lot of playtime and activity. They are curious and clever little fellows (need to be kept busy) and not domesticated for as long as dogs and cats e.g. While cleanly they will still feel the need to mark their territory and i was said females behave similar like cats, so without a compatable and accepted male you will get alot of trouble whenever they go into heat. Additionally without enough space i was told they might stop caring and just leave their fecals wherever. I lived a while in Berlin, Germany and actually met a guy one day in the park walking his ferrets (just like dogs on a leash, was awesome to see, i love those little fellows). Therefore what i wrote is not only stuff from the internet but from a conversation with an actual owner of which i got the impression that he is honestly caring for his ferrets. He said it is also a lot of work to meet the ferrets expectations and needs. Keep in mind, especially if it will be your first pet that a pet is a companion and a responsibility, not an accessory or something you aquire just because you want it. I hope this was something helpful.

[@Max-cj8vm]

Mine escaped by climbing out a crack in the window, and I thought he was gone forever from what I read. The next evening, I heard my neighbor yelling and I opened the door to see my ferret chasing him down the sidewalk. Now I shut the windows before I let him out lol

[@mileswilliams9737]

@@MrDavespade if you clean out the litter often

[@shawntomkins1028]

@@HayNoDios I had a single ferret who lived a long wonderful life. They can bond with people if you engage with them enough. They love to free roam. Mine would hide my stuff lol. Keys, controllers, underwear, potatoes. Lmao and when I would catch him he would bounce and laugh, anyone who's had them knows they sound like laughing 😃

[@snerper]

I was a regular ferreting articles contributor to 'The Countryman's Weekly' until about four years ago, but had to hang up my nets when my wife got ill and needed a lot of looking after! This video brought a lot of memories back! Have you ever thought of making a longnetting video? this involves catching rabbits mainly at night { but can also be used very succesfully during the day too } I'm sure Rob would know someone who practices this rabbit catching technique and I think you'd have a winning video on your hands at the end of it! For anyone on here who wonders who I am and what my name was in the countryman's weekly, I was their only Brighton based contributor at that time! I did articles on Lamping, ferreting, longnets, dropnets, snaring and the use of drop traps!

[@Mi-yc3oy]

rabbit burrow = ferret playground

[@notaseal7864]

Literally everywhere = Ferret Playground

[@collegerockstarr3040]

Dylen Worthington That’s also true.

[@zw5509]

Used to go ferreting long ago with a good friend of mine. The process has advanced alot but the end is the same. We rewarded our ferrets with a piece of the rabbit ear. Landowners would welcome us and sometimes gave us a couple of pence for each rabbit. They were everywhere! Enjoyed the video!

[@TAOutdoors]

+Z Worm Glad you enjoyed the video - Mike

[@spartansheep459]

I need a ferret finder so I can never lose them in my house again

[@michaelmora7520]

Spartan Sheep they destroyed the damn couch in my house

[@collegerockstarr3040]

Michael Mora Join the club. I just ripped off the rest of the bottom last week.

[@efrainmendez8130]

You could just buy them a collar with a little bell attached so as they move around you can hear them

[@rock4evr24]

@@efrainmendez8130 if they're not deaf, they can make them go crazy. Especially female ferrets, they hate the sound of squeakers or bells. They go crazy over it, in a bad way

[@willshogren1987]

Yeah, the bell thing seems to bother them. I'd say they'll make themselves known when they're ready to hang out but if they aren't litter box trained, sometimes you'll end up finding a gigantic pile of droppings somewhere weird.

[@saarian6321]

ferret? more like fluffy moving noodle

[@lilkittyanime]

Saarian Ferrets are just cat snakes!

[@paulfitzpatrick8470]

Stinky but lovable wee critters.

[@chelseapeterson35]

With teeth

[@tonym5736]

But even cuter

[@blueschild61]

Floof Noodle.

[@jcshinobi1973]

Superb video. I really enjoyed this. I have never before seen ferret hunting. Thank you for sharing.

[@TAOutdoors]

+John Coulter Thanks John

[@teethgrinder83]

TA Outdoors my grandad used to go out poaching rabbits with his ferrets up here in Scotland when he was young (in the 1930’s) and sell the rabbits to the local butchers but I’d never actually seen it before-thanks

[@maccrume1771]

the ferrets are so cute

[@heidibaker4049]

Mac Crume agreed 😊

[@villain1409]

Cute but they have a musky stink about them.

[@gooky6134]

@@villain1409 They really don’t as long as they are neutered and given baths once ever month or two.

[@villain1409]

@@gooky6134 Oh they do if they feel threatened,i had a great deal of ferrets & worked them near every weekend,mine was always getting cleaned & when people first lay eyes on them,they would comment on their musk. Excellent creatures though. I live in Scotland and worked a few farms.

[@timothyeubanks32100]

blown away by this video. I've never seen this before or anything like it. just a really good video right here. this is Totally Awesome for sure!

[@TAOutdoors]

Thanks Tim pleased you liked it

[@WorldSurvivalist]

Used them a lot as a kid, think ill get some more over the next few years to show my boy

[@TrinidadJamesWoods]

This is like falconry, but furry.

[@calebreutener870]

All the fun with none of the red tape

[@stevemurray6150]

This looks like an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. Good stew at the end of the day too.

[@samatardavidbndphotofilm]

And I thought I saw everything. Rabbit hunting with ferrets?!? Incredidle and a genius idea at that. Props from Canada. Our favorite method here is to wait for rain and walk the trails and when their burrows are flooded, you can pick them off with a 22 caliber or shotgun.

[@minhlncool]

Jimmy Dore it will kill all the rabbit and destroy their home ? we just want to get some rabbit for fun and make sure that those rabbits have some habittat to reproduce and also next time we dont have to go to other place to find rabbit nests

[@andreashessler838]

This brought back some memories growing up with ferrets and patterdales in East Leicestershire. We focussed on rats more than rabbits though. Farmers were great about letting us traipse across their land as long as we didn't cause any trouble.

[@hotdoggravy]

When I read hunting with ferrets, I pictured throwing a ferret like a javelin at a duck or something

[@Toolness1]

I like that camo jacket @ 8:30. Ferrets are awesome. Very smart creatures if you can get them to pay attention long enough to train them!

[@sh-hg4eg]

It's a Dutch DPM smock.

[@timesounds6339]

when he said free range and organic i knew this guy knew what he was on about loved the vid !

[@NobodyImportant-m1x]

Proper good! I am a firm believer in animals being able to express their own nature, so its good to see humans in this world who understand the nature of animals.

[@BlackTheNerevar]

I have 3 ferrets myself, amazing family members! I don't use them for hunting myself, but they are amazing little fellas.

[@zakwill7]

Both of your channels have incredibly original and different content, Ive always watched TAfishing but damn, this one is getting really good

[@TAOutdoors]

+Willis Thanks! We're working hard on this one, much more content coming soon - Mike

[@fishmut]

Live in Australia and I love ferreting rabbits , it’s fun and a buzz when the rabbits hit the nets , totally love it , love the video . 👍

[@shadowthehedgehog330]

Great video, dude! :) the ferrets are absoloutely adorable as well! this may be something i may try in the future :)

[@TAOutdoors]

Thanks !

[@kwabenaasare1623]

he judo chopped the life outta the little dude

[@Deekm69]

Great video, reminds me of being a young boy with my ferrets and pals. Great memories 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@SinCityOutdoors]

Sweet video

[@colleenclark6835]

My father hunted with ferrets here in Tasmania, Australia. Was an age ago, not sure if anyone does it these days.

[@ghostrider9978]

Awesome,, we grew up in tassie with ferrets too .

[@ghostrider9978]

Colleen Clark awesome we grew up in tassie with ferrets too

[@fishmut]

Yes here in oz some of us still use ferrets , love it great fun , a feed of rabbit is awesome ,

[@ZeusPolecat]

Great job!

[@TAOutdoors]

+Zeus Polecat Thanks

[@0IDaveCouch]

My old Dad and and his brother Bill used to hunt rabbits with ferrets in Stanthorpe, Queensland in the 50's and 60's.

[@Bluxdemon]

this is amazing, I've had ferrets and they are amazing animals and i never knew this, i just love ferrets even more and i didn't think it was possible. thanks for this.

[@jwmmitch]

Wow! I've never seen rabbit holes like that! Those rabbits tore that land up!

[@jgstevens5169]

Hunting with Ferrets... Makes me think of long ago times. Appreciate the videos you & your crew provide.

[@huntnfishnuts5880]

Well done Graeme and mike it's nice to see traditional hunting methods. I would liken ferret hunting to falconry. It would be good to do a video if you have a local falconer there. I bet the farmer was glad to see a few rabbits out of his fields.

[@TAOutdoors]

+Huntnfishnuts Yes we will look into doing a video on Falconry

[@334outdoors8]

Didn't know this channel was a thing but I'm glad it is

[@TAOutdoors]

Yep we're working hard on this one to grow it! Hope you enjoy the content

[@johnnylesley5450]

Great video!!! That is something I have never seen before. Enjoy learning new things ya'll.

[@doomedology5799]

There so chubby uhh there so cute

[@BaddaBigBoom]

*they're

[@davidharvey5672]

Wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this one but got a pleasant surprise. Of course it comes with memories of Compo in Last of the Summer Wine stuffing them down his trousers. Fancy giving it a try Greame?

[@alienfromarea5175]

Don't put ferrets down your trousers it really stressed the ferrets out

[@StudioKennels]

This was great fun to watch! Thank you would love to find out more of this as a American with show ferrets and in a state that doesn’t allow it would love to see more of these to appreciate!

[@AlphaAussies]

Do you have to train them or do they do this naturally ?

[@AMINDSETRESET]

Naturally.

[@markwheeler4245]

Fascinating! so the ferrets don't kill the rabbit they just chase it out? how do u kill the rabbit? fast and humanely as possible? neck snap? and the ferrets get rewarded right!!... question answered near the end neck snapped! enjoyed the video

[@tonym5736]

Im in the US and some of us use Mink for muslrats and ratting and dogs of course but i very much respect and love that u use ferrets

[@jakemcconnell1923]

I got 32 rabbits last year .we had to dig a couple

[@vaughan3273]

Get a saluki you will get even more

[@jeetts59]

Very good video, hunting with ferrets is done in Australia but not so much now.

[@denisescott7245]

I'm from Canada, and have never heard of this type of hunting/trapping etc...interesting..

[@camronious1012]

This is awesome thanks for showing us this, I would love to run a business in Australia doing this for farmers.

[@tr3nta345]

Can you use wild ferrets or need to use trained and tamed ferrets ?

[@thibaultjaberg4658]

+Hikinett They are tamed of course but I don't know if they need special training...

[@l2d8]

+Thi J they are very curious animals and will want to inspect the burrow anyway, they should catch on to what they are there for after a while

[@thibaultjaberg4658]

+Réal Landry Yeah I think ist part of their natural instinct to chase rabbits in burrows.

[@tr3nta345]

+Thi J but what about getting the rabbit from the ferret ? If they arent trained they wont let it go no matter what

[@thibaultjaberg4658]

Humm, good qustion mabe they are trained after all, or it's just because the rabbits are quicker than the ferrets and they get cought in the net before the ferret can catch them...

[@bretttaylor6456]

Some great memories as a kid ferreting

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

I really enjoyed watching this. I've had ferrets & weasels. Loved them.

[@TAOutdoors]

+Yankee Pleased you enjoyed the video

[@pauldunbar2517]

Did you ever see a stout making a kill it's brilliant. It dances back and forward and gets nearer a nearer until it's close enough to grab it's pray.

[@kitwheldon7942]

I used to have a stout that came in to my garden most mornings amazing watching him dancing up to the rabbits

[@Argyll100]

Great .. loved this video hunted with ferrets over many years .. taking rats as well as rabbits...There is nothing better than hearing ' thumping' coming from a burrow action is moments away ! Drumming their hind feet on the ground is an alert of imminent danger-a warning to other rabbits.There is written histoy of ferrets or ferret like creatures being used to hunt rabbits well before the Roman period the Romans certainly used them for hunting.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

Man and animal partnerships certainly can be valuable: ferrets and burros are two different instances. Both can be affectionate in human company. My grandfather owned farmland and my grandmother's friend from girlhood, from the family of 'Little Jack Horner', liked to come out to spend weekends. One of her brothers brought his ferret, Jake. For the first time, I am able to see 'how it was done in the days before I was born!' Thanks

[@queenofanon9972]

I was originally sad for the rabbits, but at least they're killed quickly and don't feel pain. Plus, that's funny you give thee ferrets the entrails XD

[@andrewfelcey2589]

forgot all about ferret's !!!!! the Americans used them in the Vietnam war to flush out Charley'!!!!! great video!!!

[@TAOutdoors]

+Andrew Felcey Glad you liked the video

[@jenngraham2012]

This is awesome. I had no idea. The men are wearing camo like their actually doing stuff though lmao! This hunting you can do in your regular clothes sitting in a lounge chair.

[@TheKayaker71]

This counts as brand new learning for me. Thank You :D

[@TAOutdoors]

Pleased you like it Sue

[@natenful]

Polecats are sneakier and camo though I have both. Each have their precious conveniences.

[@MrMaxenen11]

Very interesting video. Well done mate.

[@joshbarber468]

Me and my friend started a channle like this because of u guys (fieldsports suffolk)

[@TAOutdoors]

+Josh Barber Nice one Josh, just subscribed to it - Mike

[@derekk4997]

Crazy. I had ferrets growing up never knew they used them to hunt

[@bikerdaveb]

I usually pull the neck but have seen the quick blow in the past done by various different people. I have never seen it done using the hand though actually had a little giggle at that

[@ImprovisedSurvival]

Rabbits here in the midwest US are known to carry ringworm. Is this an issue where you live, and if so, how do you deal with it? Excellent video. Cheers from Chicago

[@Adam-uz9sc]

If u get the ferrets flied and wormed regularly it shouldn't be a problem same when coursing with dogs once a month should keep the ringworms and other worms away

[@maximeguilbault6271]

Only 3 rabbits for a day hunting with ferrets ? In my country (France) we have caught a fifty rabbits a day with ferrets. We've caught them because they were near a road very used and became dangerous for the cars. So they've served to reindroduction in an other territory before we have caught them. Very Nice video. Hunt responsably. I love your Ytb channel.

[@ManLand]

This is just Totally Awesome!

[@coastalwren]

Wow those little ferrets can rly run :D

[@YanYanArrow]

The ferrets are so cute!!!

[@henrymouland7930]

They are hobbs your working yeah? have been working ferrets since I was 5 and I'm 36 now would never run hobbs they don't go under well always gills but have fun better than any drugs you could possibly do! waiting for that sound better than any bass line! !!!😊😊

[@alganhar1]

I used to use a pair of jills and a hobb, plus a dog for marking. Dog would find occupied sets, I would net it up and send one of the Jills down. I preferred Jills because they are smaller. If one of the Jills killed down and laid up I would try calling her, mine would (usually) return when called, and if that failed I would send the Hobb down. He would chase the Jill off the kill. I almost never had an issue with the hobbs coming back when called, they all knew they were in for rabbitty treats at the end of the day anyway, I too used to reward them with the offal. For killing I preferred to use chinning, hold the back legs in the strong hand, form the OK symbol with the other hand about the rabbits head, the thumb on the top of the neck, pull back hard with your dominant hand while pushing down and out with the thumb, you want to give a little tug as you pull out, this flexes the spine and snaps the neck. Its easy to do and is literally the fastest and most humane way of killing them, especially after you have done it a few times. Enough people have mentioned good ways of field cleaning and skinning so won't go into that, the chinning is a useful trick to learn though. fast, humane, and does not bruise the meat. Oddly enough though I never used locator collars, I rarely had an issue with mine killing down and lying up, and never liked the thought of collars without elasticated safety zones in case they got caught up on a root and strangled, and ferrets being ferrets will never stay in a collar with an elasticated zone

[@elizaevans3736]

How do you get the ferret back? How do you initially train them to hunt

[@elianabarlow8345]

Great video. You should strap a camera with a light to them and send them into the tunnels. That might be cool to see the inside of the tunnels.

[@TAOutdoors]

Yeh that would be awesome! I'd worry about losing the camera though!! - Mike

[@chbyrd27]

Wow, I never had any idea this was even a thing. Are 2 or more ferrets ever put out at once? Is there a danger of them running into/chasing each other around the tunnels?

[@heartoftoledo1560]

I come here seriously for advice. My parents have had a vegetable garden for the past 40 years. This Spring two woodchucks have arrived and are moving around in their yard. The burrow appears to be close but not in my parents yard. I have two large ferrets. They are American / Domesticated but also very scrappy. If I put one on a long lead and let it run in the yard, will it scare the woodchucks away? What about if they scent the yard and leave poo? Ideas please.

[@plink4017]

I wouldn't attempt it if the ferrets are more domestic, chances are the ferrets could get hurt or trapped in the burrows. I would suggest calling a exterminator or someone like that.

[@bushcrafthippie]

This is awesome! I subscribed to see shelter building and bushcrafting..and than I find this gem....thank you for providing such awesome content!!!

[@TAOutdoors]

+bushcraft hippie Thanks! Welcome to the Channel - Mike

[@thibaultjaberg4658]

The only footprint that can be mistaken for a fox is a dog and the difference between a Fox and a Dog is that the Fox print has the two upper toes on the same line and then the two lower toes underneath the two upper ones and the dog has them more all on the same line. So yeah a bit difficult to explain but all in all if you see a footprint and want to know if it's a dog or Fox you simply place a straight twig or grass or simply imagine a straight line underneath the two upper toes and then id the two lower toes are under the line it's a Fox and if the line cuts through the two lower toes then it is a dog. Hope this made sense! Greets from Switzerland...

[@TAOutdoors]

+Thi J Thanks for the tip!

[@thibaultjaberg4658]

+TA Outdoors Glad I could help!

[@Brethonlaw]

Fantastic lads

[@waxestlowa732r6]

Still Amazing Love Ferrets!

[@lampinglurchers209]

I do a lot of ferreting and really enjoy it loved the video keep it up

[@markmason13]

Well an all round good vid but the old karate chop is not the best way to dispatch the rabbit in my opinion as it can bruise the meat. Also I like to dispatch the rabbit in the net and just put a fresh net over the hole as its quicker.

[@robovoid8024]

Who'd of thunk a ferret would be good at ferreting animals out wait a sec

[@elizabethfarrell9650]

Lovely stuff. Thanks for the video. :D

[@justinmeasles2289]

Rabbit with chorizo stew sounds goooooood

[@Toolness1]

I had snakes and would feed them live rats. People kept telling me I should kill the rats first so they don't injure the snakes, and that all you have to do is flick them hard on the skull and they will die instantly. A sore finger and several incredibly hard flicks later, my rat was still alive and I felt like a cruel SOB. Maybe that one had a thicker skull than most, but it didn't die.

[@mortoriousgl6717]

awww they ar so cute 😍

[@edward.l.h7450]

To those who think this is inhumane, rabbits aren't native to the UK, only hares, so they cause massive problems for farmland as livestock can get their legs trapped and broken in the holes. Among other problems.

[@dane5920]

If the ferret is at least 7 - 9 or more weeks of age they will naturally hunt the rabbits they don't need to be tame but they will still hunt if tame

[@karinavalera20]

I have a question do ferrets have an awful smell to them???

[@XxScArEcRoWxX1]

yes. so het good shampoo

[@lucafossett]

I wouldn't say it was unbearably awful, just prominent. Just remember not to bath it more than about once a month, it strips the ferret of all its skin oils and forces it to make more, which will stink!

[@nicolewilliams1689]

It's not too strong if you keep their cage clean and feed them a good diet.

[@melrakan]

How did you track the rabbits back to their holes?

[@bandpassmess]

In the US we call those swamp rabbits , harder to find but we've got plenty of Cotten tail rabbit .

[@fetalalien1369]

I didn't know about this! Now I wanna try.

[@kam5876]

Man, I wish these guys could come to our property and get rid of our rabbits!

[@deannakoa3]

Where can I get the collars and equipment to do this ?

[@jenielpaulalcera2773]

Good dog.

[@SuperEdep]

Absolutely miss my ferrets, my working girl was brilliant ( died of old age ) and my other in training, my daughter opened the cage without me knowing so she got out.

[@aleckbrown923]

At 10:00 the droppings were sheep not rabbit but easily confused Great vid :)

[@oliverlowe2600]

Na they where deer

[@blucat5223]

how long do you have them out there working??? Any pet ferret I've seen will playing for 20 minutes max before wanting to nap lol

[@jujucattys156]

been rabbiting ferrets years but just starting to look in to traning for rats any advice

[@p.o.r.g8596]

Great video really love your content keep good work up

[@gamakrom]

Is using female or male ferrets better?

[@daveagar5594]

Great vid. Thanks

[@domsanthuff5181]

karate chop!!!

[@asgerbarfod2183]

Haha

[@Lugia21]

I burst laughing when he chopped the rabbit dead.

[@carolinal2007]

Lmao

[@tronkleds1209]

awsome ferrets.i had a ferret and he cleaned my garage out of mice