CHOOSING THE RIGHT CLOTHING

We are now in winter — well, technically anyway. The climate, even in the north, has been unseasonably unpredictable. Even though it’s November, I am still walking about in a shirt and jumper most days. The rain isn’t as heavy nor the mornings as cold, so when I am ferreting some of my weathered jackets get me too hot too soon.

Ferreting on the whole throws some curveballs when it comes to clothing. I feel that is why layers work best. Depending on your land and style of ferreting, it could be all or nothing. While ferreting, you are doing a lot of walking, getting warm, then stopping at a warren, where you cool down. You net up, warm up, then the ferrets go in and you could be standing about if the action is still subterranean. Add to this the wind chill and potential rain, never mind a cooler ambient temperature. Your sweat may cool you down too much, and once the chill sets in, your attention wanes. Then it is time for a dig. This gets the blood pumping and the sweat rolling again, so what you wear must fit well and tick all of the temperature-regulation boxes.

In more remote areas, especially at altitude, if you wear inappropriate clothing you could be in trouble quicker than you realise. The conundrum doesn’t stop there. A lot of ferreting is in hedgerows. Thorns, barbed-wire and undergrowth are just a few examples of items that may penetrate, tear or soak your clothing. Being cold, wet and uncomfortable isn’t just bad for you, it takes your focus away from enjoying the day. There is nothing worse than feeling like this after an hour, knowing you have a full day ahead of you.

With the huge choice of modern fibres and material, it really does pay to look around and not be led by fashion, fads and fancies.