The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-01-18
With the Ferret.

Hunting rabbits with ferrets, after
the English custom, was successfully
accomplished recently near Quaker.
town by two amateur sportsmen of this
city. Twenty-six animals were bagged
between nine in the morning and four
in the afternoon without the use of fire.
arms. The sport is comparatively new
in America, but has been followed for
a number of years in England, where
rabbits are so numerous as to be abso-
lutte pests. Hunting with ferrets has
been found to be the most effectual
and inexpensive means of extermina-
ton. and, at the same time, q rather
exciting sport.
Yesterdays hunt differed slightly
from the English style. inasmuch as two
breeds of dogs were used. while in En-.
gland single rabbit-hound is generally
considered sufficient in addition to the
ferret. The hunters took with them
two Bassett hounds and two fox-terri.
ers. The hounds are very short-legged,
having been bred from natural selections
purposely to produce slow travellers that
woald not ''hole'' the rabbit too quick
ly. Their sense of smell is wonderfully
keen. and they detect trail where
many other animals would he at fault.
The terriers, on the contrary, are select
ed simply for their powers of vision.
quick ear and speed. They act as Brer
Rabbits execut oner. All four dogs
had been associated with the ferret for
some days previously, in order to create
something of friendly feeling and pre-
want tho farr;arS fro,,, ly;ll;pr M,e<av
Ferret by mistake. A patch of woods
three miles above Quakertown was Sc.
lected as the hunting ground. The
sportsmen separated one going ahead
with the hounds, and the other keeping
one hundred yards back, with the terri
ers in lash. Ten minutes after getting
in the shade of the trees the bow
legged Bassett ho.-,s struck
trail. Pressing their noses close to
the ground, off they scurried, with the
hunter close behind. As the trail grew
warmer the dogs increased their speed
and then began baying simultaneously.
This was the signal to let the terriers go,
and of they went, bounding over fallen
tree-trunks, pushing through the I'M
derbrush until they caught up with their
canine companions. just at that moment
the quarry was sighted leaping rapidly
over the ground one hundred yards in
advance. The next moment the hounds
had "boled' Master Rabbit under an
old stump. One of the hunters put his
hand in his overcoat-pocket and took
out the ferret. The little animal was
placed on the ground near the aper-
I'm ha,a fh., hh;t hoA anfnral
moment later and the sinuous and
snake-like body had wiggled out of
sight. There was scramble among
the dried leaves, and then the fright
ened rabbit appeared on the other side
of the stump, vainly endeavOring to
shake off his bloodthirsty little enemy,
who was clinging tenaciously to his
hind leg The foX-terriers were on the
alert and waiting. When the rabbit
one of them seized it by the
neck. gave it shake, and then, forget
ting previous instructions, made Jump
at the ferret. The rabbit gasped once
or twice and then turned up its toes.
One of the hunters seized the ferret,
pocketed him, and the dead rabbit was
deposited in the game-bag.
Twenty minutes were wasted on 4
dead trail, until the hounds scented
fresh rabbit path. and started off under
full cry. The terriers were loosed
again, and the rabbit was run to earth
under pile of underbrush. When TIE
ferret was put on the ground, he
worked his way in easily. and seized
the unfortunate rabbit by the neck. 1t
became necessary to remove the brush
to secure the game, which was then
dead. The third, fourth and fifth rab-
bits were similarly captured, and from
then on the dogs began to work more
In unison. The tenth rabbit very near
ly escaped, because the ferret lost his
grip, and the terriers were not prepared
for sudden leap, which carried the
animal near out of reach; but in seek
ing cover second time the ferret
fastened on to his hannch. and the
canine executioners performed their
duty with dispatch. Philadelphia Press.