FINDING THE IDEAL FERRETING PARTNER

I’m often asked if I need any help when I go out ferreting. There will come the odd occasion when you will want some assistance or you will have to ask for help. The warrens might be too large, too deep or require a lot more ferrets than you own.

Alternatively, you may only have a certain day on the land and many hands can make light work when they split up into small groups. This is a popular choice on the hills in the north as the vast land tracts hold a lot of rabbits.

The lads generally get a day or two to ferret, so work in groups to make the most of it and then join up to see how many they have harvested. The results are usually impressive, as groups of men and women can split into multiple teams, pairs or singles.

Variety of characters

The choice of partner to help you ferret may include a wide variety of characters or a choice of only one — yourself. The qualities that stand out when looking for a ferreting partner are no different to those you might look for in a good friend.

Naturally, you want to work with trustworthy and reliable people that are willing to help, and learn or teach about ferreting. These are the people who will help put everything back in the car, who won’t go back to your permission with their friends and who will be reliable enough to get up early, regardless of the weather.

Nothing is worse than waiting for someone to get up or ready as that eats into the time spent ferreting. If you are lucky enough to find such a person, all you have to do is see if you actually get on. There’s no point going ferreting with someone who rubs you the wrong way. Ferreting is to be enjoyed and it is shared best with folk you like and get on with.