Where there’s a will, there’s a way
I know you’re not allowed to mess about with badger setts but “Newcastle United supporters” have recently built their homes slap bang in the middle of two of the biggest burrows on the farm I look after. Can I still ferret around them? Or is that too risky from both the legal perspective, and the safety of my ferrets? Could I long net at night, or would that still be classed as interference?
Edward says:
My home county of Hampshire is infested with badgers, so much so there are few hedges, woods and even cemeteries that don’t contain an evergrowing sett. This sad state of affairs has come about through bad legislation, deliberate misinformation and a poor understanding of animal management.
From this you will have probably guessed that it’s an issue I deal with on a frequent basis. Rabbits and badgers do live together – a state of affairs that’s not unlike some sickly sentimental cartoon programmes you see on TV from time to time.
However, you are correct in thinking that if you go near you’re asking for bother. Everyone has cameras on their mobile phone these days, wildlife cameras are also common, so you’d be a fool to try your luck at ferreting – especially with a spade in hand!
Furthermore, it wouldn’t be fair to enter a ferret near a stripey sett because one snap from a “fatty” would be the finish of your ferret. You could long net the burrows because badgers just knock nets over so they won’t cause you any problems. As well as this you are not touching or interfering with the sett in any way, so legally you would be okay.