CHAPTER XII. 



FERRETS AND MINK, SKUNK, RACCOON, ETC. 



•TWLTHOUGH the ferret has been used prin- 

 MJ cipally on rabbits and rats yet now and 

 W I then a user has been experimenting on 

 ^ ^ furbearing animals. The success has 

 not been so great as with rabbits and rats. It 

 requires an older ferret to hunt rats than rabbits 

 and for fur animals still older and more expe- 

 rienced hunters and fighters should be used. 



Prior to 1900 ferrets had not been thought of 

 (or at any rate little used) in connection with 

 hunting fur animals. Not until about 1906, 

 when mink and skunk skins became quite valu- 

 able, were they employed by the fur hunter or 

 catcher. A few who were expert handlers of 

 ferrets on rats and rabbits, saw an opportunity, 

 began training or hunting for mink, skunk and 

 other fur animals that might be located or driven 

 from the den, log or other hiding place. 



Ferrets that had been handled and hunted a 

 great deal on other animals were used for this 

 kind of hunting which is of the guess work kind. 

 That is dens were ferreted whether known to be 

 occupied or not. Such being the case only a well 



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