RABBIT SHOOTING TO FERRETS. By William Thomas. 1979 Tideline Books hardback edition.

(1947) 1979 new edition. 12mo (122 x 188mm). Pp141. B/w illustrations by Michael Bignold. Green boards, spine titled in gilt.

" The rabbit is on the increase in most areas [1979] and whilst myxamatosis still makes inroads into the population it is not the dreadfully decimating disease it once was. In the wake of [this] comes a re-awakening of interest in the sport of rabbiting with gun, rifle, snare, net and of course the ferret, itself having again become an accepted part of the roughshooter's equipment. It is for these thousands of ferreting sportsmen that this minor classic is republished". Chapters include: Ferreting hold ups - why blame the ferret?; More about hold ups - housing and feeding; Notes on purchasing stock; Ferret training; Entering young ferrets; Muzzling and coping; Trouble-free transportation; Rabbit 'signs' and their meaning; The successful ferreting of rabbits; The ferret as part of the rough-shooter's everyday equipment; Working kit and the essentials of field-craft; The unseen observer; Rabbit-shooting at corn harvest, stalking, field-craft, rifles, guns, etc; Old warrens, a warning!; A specimen rough-shoot and planned rabbit control; An imaginary walk around; Preparing and executing a rabbit drive; How rabbit control operates to the advantage of the shooter. Appendices on the art of snaring, traps and purse nets, long netting.