Solo Ferreting In Yorkshire – 26 Rabbits in 3hrs with Nets & Dogs is a compelling example of traditional British countryside ferreting, showcasing the old-world skill of using ferrets, nets, and dogs to work a rabbit warren in Yorkshire. The video, uploaded by Rabbit Express, follows a day in the field where the host attempts to flush out and catch rabbits from their underground burrows using a mix of skill, patience, and traditional ferreting techniques.
Ferreting is a long-established method of controlling European rabbit populations by working with specially trained ferrets that slip down rabbit burrows to flush out the quarry. These ferrets are slender and agile enough to navigate complex tunnel systems, and when they encounter a rabbit, that rabbit instinctively bolts out of the warren and into the open where it can be caught in a net or intercepted by a trained dog. This method combines the natural hunting instincts of the ferret with the handler’s skill in positioning nets and reading the land.
In the Yorkshire fields, the host begins by scouting the rabbit warren and setting up a series of nets around the various holes. These nets create a perimeter that prevents rabbits from escaping once they are flushed from the tunnels. Strategically placed and pegged to the ground, the nets act like invisible traps waiting for the quarry to run into them. This process is key to effective ferreting—every entrance and exit must be considered, ensuring that once a rabbit is forced out by the ferret, it doesn’t simply flee into another hole unseen.
With the setup complete, the ferrets are introduced to the warren. The video shows how quickly the situation can unfold: in a matter of minutes, anxious rustling and scurrying underground signal that rabbits are on the move. The ferret’s presence causes them to bolt, and almost immediately the nets begin to catch rabbits as they sprint from their tunnels. In this particular session, the solo effort yields an impressive total of 26 rabbits in approximately three hours.
In addition to displaying the ferreting itself, the video also highlights the involvement of dogs. While the ferret is the primary tool for flushing rabbits, dogs play a supporting role by helping to flush game toward open nets and ensuring that no rabbit escapes unnoticed. This teamwork between human, ferret, and dog creates an efficient and rhythmical hunting experience rooted in generations of British fieldcraft.
The Yorkshire setting provides a visually engaging backdrop: rolling fields and hedgerows, typical of rural England, set the stage for this traditional countryside pursuit. Along the way, you learn not just about the technical aspects of ferreting but also about the appreciation of working with animals and nature. The video shows that ferreting isn’t simply about catching rabbits—it’s about understanding their behavior, respecting the countryside, and engaging with a historic rural practice that remains alive today.
For viewers curious about traditional hunting methods or countryside culture in the UK, this video offers both education and entertainment, capturing the essence of fieldcraft and the age-old partnership between humans and animals in pest control and sport.
