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Post by ttfr on Apr 11, 2011 13:33:43 GMT -5
I live near a bunch of horse farms and recently I got the idea to possible train one or more of my weasels to hunt mice in the barns. Kind of like a barn cat but weasels can go under crates and such.
Is it illegal to do this kind of thing with your ferrets if the prey is not ussed for your benefit?
They wouldn't live there but just come by to go in search for a mouse or two.
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Post by angelfish on Apr 11, 2011 13:45:27 GMT -5
I don't see why they would be. Ferrets have been used for hunting purposes for thousands of years. Plus, it's no different than hiring an exterminator who uses traps and poison to clear unwanted pests.
Word of warning though, one of the local farmers occasionally has a weasel problem in his barns. He raises rabbits, chicken, and other poultry and has had to shoot weasels when they get into his barns because they raid his livestock. I'm not sure that farmers would want ferrets in their barns unless you can assure then they won't go after their livestock or they don't have livestock (like in a horse barn).
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2011 13:52:23 GMT -5
Interesting idea, but I don't think that I'd hold out a lot of hope. Unless you know the owner, I would think that they would probably insist on liability insurance, just in case a horse is "startled" and damage is caused which it can be alleged was attributable to the ferret. Unfortunately, your country has a lot of lawyers, all looking for something to do.
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Post by Heather on Apr 11, 2011 14:57:20 GMT -5
I think if you check, and please make sure you do. It's against the law to hunt with our weasels in North America. It was put on the books years ago.
ciao
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Post by katt on Apr 11, 2011 15:05:35 GMT -5
Heather is correct. But I was under the impression that that was alley for rabbit hunting? Regardless I would not recommend it. Partly for the reasons listed above, and partly for your ferrets' health and eagerly. First of all there are all kinds of trouble for ferrets in a barn, things they can get into, ge stuck in/on, things they can eat, get stepped on, etc. You could lose them too. Then also you have to look at wild mice. They can carry disease and parasites. You do not know what they got into. If a neighboring barn set out poison traps, fertilized, etc and the mouse ate it....and your ferret got the mouse... Well it could end badly.  |
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Post by crazylady on Apr 11, 2011 15:06:38 GMT -5
Hi I have no idea is if illegal or not over there but one thing I do know is you cannot train then to hunt ! they hunt following instinct and I wouldn't even think of trying it without the proper equipment you need a ferret locator collar and box ( this a collar that sends out a signal that is picked up by the receiver box so that you can track your ferret at all times ) as once a ferret is on the scent of prey instinct takes over and they can end up in some funny places ! ( digging down 8 foot is not unusual if they kill and stay with there prey underground my box goes down 15 foot !) never attempt to let a ferret loose without proper equipment as that tiny hole in the corner could run for two or three miles underground and emerge god knows where ! take care bye for now
crazy lady
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2011 15:08:46 GMT -5
I don't think it would be considered hunting though because mice aren't considered game animals. I don't think it would be any different then having a cat catching mice.
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Post by Heather on Apr 11, 2011 15:18:10 GMT -5
That would boil down to the letter of the law....and that I'm not going to mess with it. I would not give any official a reason to take away my ferret. If the law states that hunting with ferrets is against the law then I would treat it as such. You will not find anywhere in the books that it's against the law to hunt with a cat....so you can hunt with your cat or allow it to hunt. In regards to hunting with your ferret it's in the books as against the law...it doesn't specify what type of prey, it just says its against the law to use a ferret to hunt. So, what would give the officials the right to not only claim the ferret you're hunting with but all the ferrets in your possession. No, I will tempt many things but that's not a risk I will play with.
I agree with Crazylady (Bev), never hunt without the proper equipment to track and find your ferret (I looked it up, it's really expensive). I was actually thinking of equiping Minion I. Chomp with a locator collar so that I could find the little sod as he's just a baby and can fit into really weird little holes and such. He's presently wearing a collar with a bell but that doesn't find the ferret who's fallen asleep in some strange nook or cranny.
ciao
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Post by wtferret on Apr 11, 2011 20:02:20 GMT -5
It's legal to ferret in Colorado who knows it may be legal in your state. Though ferreting is putting your animal into a rabbit Warren or the like. I don't think hunting barn mice would qualify.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2011 21:29:30 GMT -5
Then I guess the question would be what is the definition of "hunting". Since mice aren't game animals I still don't think it would be considered real hunting. But I understand what your saying about officials.
Honestly, if you want to let your ferret run around in a barn and catch some mice I doubt anyone is going to even know let alone bother you about it. I would be more worried about losing him/her or having something bad happen as others have stated above.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2011 21:44:08 GMT -5
I agree - my concern would be a lost/hurt ferret.
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Post by miamiferret2 on Apr 12, 2011 7:48:07 GMT -5
Unfortunately, your country has a lot of lawyers, all looking for something to do. Ahem! I believe there are a few lawyers on here.... We are just big hairless weasels after all. ;D ;D |
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Post by Sherry on Apr 12, 2011 8:28:58 GMT -5
Unfortunately, your country has a lot of lawyers, all looking for something to do. Ahem! I believe there are a few lawyers on here.... We are just big hairless weasels after all. ;D ;D Drat!!! There goes yet another wonderful target ;D |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2011 9:35:55 GMT -5
Unfortunately, your country has a lot of lawyers, all looking for something to do. Ahem! I believe there are a few lawyers on here.... We are just big hairless weasels after all. ;D ;D Oh, Dear!   |
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Post by miamiferret2 on Apr 12, 2011 11:00:58 GMT -5
It's ok. I don't like lawyers either.  at the moment, I am working on a lawsuit for my most important client (Sonny). he claims that his daddy was negligent and stepped on his tail which caused him "pain and suffering" and he wants to "sue him for everything he's got." I think he's probably faking his injuries and he just wants money (he walks into my office with a cane and a cervical collar and then he doesn't use them after he leaves) but he's so cute and fuzzy that I have to oblige. I think a jury would fall in love with him.  |
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