Courses and Fun Days
Contact us for further information or to book any of our ferret experiences.
Situated on the outskirts of the Derbyshire village of Ashover, with over 15 acres of our own beautiful Peak District land, we also have access to over 3,000 acres of local farm land where we run our rabbiting and hawking days.
The ferret (Mustela putorius furo) is a domesticated form of the European polecat (Mustela putorius), and has been used by humans for over 2,000 years to hunt rabbits. The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was introduced to Britain by the Romans in the First Century AD, as food for the marching Legions. The ferret is the perfect animal to use to bolt coney from their underground warren, and many of these animals would be carried by the legionnaires to ensure they could have rabbit stew for supper.
In recent times, the ferret has also been used for many other purposes. As a pet, the ferret is extremely popular, and the furry, fun-loving mustelid is the second most popular pet in the USA (after the cat). Although popular mythology would have us believe the ferret is a nasty, treacherous animal which will bite any human finger within reach, this is totally untrue.
Our ferrets are handled from a very young age, and are completely trustworthy.
We also use our ferrets for ferret racing, public displays, cable threading and, of course, their traditional role to help us get the main ingredient for rabbit pie
FERRET HUSBANDRY - ONE-DAY COURSE (4 Hours)
If you are going to keep an animal, you should find out as much about it as possible well before it arrives, to ensure you have all the correct facilities and requisites (cage, food, bedding etc.) in place. What better way to do this than to complete a course run by professionals who know all about ferrets and their ways? The course can best be described as a “book in a day”, and covers all aspects of ferret keeping. Participants receive a course handbook plus a certificate.
Subjects covered on this course include;
- The History of the Ferret
- Feeding & Nutrition
- Housing
- Genetics & Breeding
- Handling
- Selecting and Buying Stock
- Illnesses and First Aid
- The Law
A maximum of four people OR one family/group on this course.
£195/£105* per person per day. (*Under 16s accompanied by a fee-paying adult); Family (2 x adults plus 2 x children) - £400
FERRET HANDLING (1 hour)
Enjoy a close encounter with our ferrets and learn how to hold and handle these animals correctly on a fun ferret event. You even get to walk one of our ferrets on a special harness and lead!
Ferrets have been around for over 2000 years, having been domesticated from wild polecats to hunt rabbits for food. Here at the National Ferret School, our ferrets have a series of tubes of various sizes, shapes and directions, that simulate the rabbit warrens in which ferrets hunt rabbits. With these imitation warrens, visitors have the opportunity to see ferrets working as they would in nature.
Our Ferret Handling Events are great fun for all the family, with children aged eight and over welcome.
A maximum of four people OR a single family/group on this course.
£75/£35* per person per one hour session. (*Under 16s accompanied by a fee-paying adult); Family (2 x adults plus 2 x children) - £200
PRACTICAL FERRETING - ONE or TWO-DAY COURSE (4 hours/day)
Ferrets were originally bred for hunting animals such as rabbits, and this aspect of the animal is increasing in popularity, a growth fed by the rapidly increasing rabbit population. Ferreting for rabbits is an excellent method of controlling (in a totally natural way) a pest species, putting wholesome and nutritious food on the table, and even earning a living.
After a morning session in the classroom, you will be taken to carry out for some practical ferreting operations (for rabbits) on local farms and estates. This course will really put some mud on your boots.
Subjects covered on this course include;
- The History of Ferreting
- The Natural History of the Rabbit
- The Selection of Ferrets Suitable for Rabbiting
- Selection & Use of Equipment
- The Law
- Ferreting Under Instruction (Subject to suitable conditions etc.)
- Despatch and Preparation of Quarry
Relevant equipment - and even ferrets - can be borrowed, at no extra cost, from the School. Regular question and answer sessions in the classroom, along with full supervision and guidance in the field, ensure that everyone gets the information he/she needs.
Suitable for anyone interested in working ferrets, whether complete novice or experienced practitioner. All participants are given a course handbook, and a certificate of attendance is issued on completion of the course.
A maximum of four people on this course.
£225/£125* per person per day. (*Under 16s accompanied by a fee-paying adult)
RABBIT HAWKING DAYS (5 hours)
Hawks, ferrets and our team of English springer spaniels all come together on this course to show what real team work is about. The dogs find the occupied warrens, and then the ferrets flush the rabbits for the hawks to catch.
We supply the hawks, dogs, ferrets and all equipment. We will transport you to the hawking area.
At the School, you will be introduced to the dogs, ferrets and hawks, and given instructions on how to handle the animals during the hawking session. This will include a short period of carrying, handling and flying the hawks, to ensure the day goes according to plan.
You will need good walking boots, weatherproof clothing, hot drinks in a flask, and food/lunch etc. We can, at an additional cost, book lunch or dinner at a local pub/hotel, if required. Please contact us for details.
A maximum of four people on this course.
£225/£130* per person per day. (*Under 16s accompanied by a fee-paying adult)