Andy17 Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 hi all, On sunday just gone I lost my best working ferret (polecat hob) whilst working a large set around a thistle bush. His collar had been snagged up which we found but there was no sign of him (first time he'd layed up). The area I was ferreting was a hedgerow surrounding a large rape field. This hedgerow pretty much has large warrens running through with 20-30yards gap between each one and at the bottom is a set approx 200yards long. I have left his box out by the set I lost him(with food and water) and checked it twice a day with no signs of him. Now I know no one really knows what a ferret would do out in wild but has anyone else lost a ferret and its turned up in the same hedgerow, in the day/night, back in its box etc?n I was thinking of borrowing some rabbit traps and baiting them. Would a ferret stay in the hedgerows or head out into the open? (the area is surrounded by large crop and pasture fields). Whats the cut off point for looking for him eg how long would he stay in the area and can ferrets live ok in the wild providing they don't get picked up by foxes, hawks etc. to me he's priceless but the pocket is getting real empty on petrol and he could be anywhere. Sorry for the long post,am just gutted, what a kick in the family jewels :( All the best Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 Sorry for your loss ....it is a grippper mate, but I thinks this has happened to most of us.... I have lost some good uns' over the years... sometimes you can get em back...but most of the time you don't........ :( I once lost a big silver hob down a covered mine shaft whilst ferreting over CORUS....it was about 30 ft down under rubble and iron ore and slag....... just no way I could get him...it brought a tear to my eye...i'll tell you I have seen and captured the odd 'ferel; ferret, and I supposed like anything..if there is plenty of grub...and somewhere nice and warm to sleep they may do fine.... I would think after 3 or 4 days he may have moved on with thirst and hunger ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 Depending on the area you lost him in, I wouldn't give up for a couple of weeks. The longest I have had one go AWOL, was three days, but I picked up a friends ferret three weeks after it had laid up. Visit the area at least once a day (if you can). Speak to the Farmer/farmworkers and tell them you have lost a ferret and where, ask them to give you a ring if they spot it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy17 Posted October 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 thanks for the replies guys, Have informed both the gamekeeper and farmer that he's gone so hopefully they will keep an eye out for him, will keep looking this week. Fingers crossed. All the best Andy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 Its also a good idea to get back to the area soonest, with another ferret or two. Either yours, or get someone else to bring theirs along. Let them work the earths in that area, it could just shake him out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy17 Posted October 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 Was actually considering that cranfield, the afternoon he went missing I put my albino hob through the warren after the nets had been taken in, was thinking I should go back there and run him through it again. All the best Andy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 Hi, Get some live catch traps out there and also shine over the area with the lamp, you might just pick his eyes up. Also leave some notices with your local vets and animal rescue shelters to see if he is handed in. I hope you find him. FM :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbob Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 I lost one for a week once she went of the dial with a 15 foot box and i checked every day for a week then as i was giving up hope i walked up to the burrow as she was walking out and picked her up ,I reckon she must of had to eat her way through a rabbit . :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy17 Posted October 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 thanks for the replies guys much apreciated, Just got in from looking for him, still no luck but as I walked down the hedgerow to where I left the box I heard rumbling in one of the warrens, do rabbits tend to make noise even if nothing is down there with them or am I looking for any excuse to keep going back. All the best Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 You can sometimes hear rabbits run underground if you have flushed them into their warren, but I haven't heard them "thumping", unless there was something behind them. It is certainly worth going back again..and again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 keep going back there you never know he could still be about years ago i lost one a week later i found him, not far from where i lost it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 Keep at it Andy , get a live catch mink trap set, like FM said, they work great. See if the keeper has a spare one you could borrow. Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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