Hunting with ferrets

"The keeping of ferrets in the UK for hunting purposes was very widespread before and during the war, when a ferreted rabbit made a welcome addition to the family meat ration. The popularity of ferreting (the hunting with ferrets) declined rapidly with the introduction of myxamatosis and the massive drop in rabbit numbers. With the rabbit population again at a high level, ferreting is enjoying an increase in popularity, as is the keeping of ferrets as pets, the two activities being highly compatible."