WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Letter of the Law: No Ferreting Around in West Virginia

Episode Date: January 25, 2024

In this episode of Letter of the Law, host Megan Pidcock gives a brief history of ferreting and why West Virginia has banned it. 

Court is in session with Letter of the Law. West Virginia must take ferrets very seriously because, according to a law, governing hunting and fishing guidelines, it is illegal to hunt with a use of a ferret. Though perhaps not the first animal to come to mind when thinking about running around the woods in search of game, ferrets actually have a long history of use within the hunting world. There is evidence of ferrets first being domesticated over 2,500 years ago, perhaps to do exactly what West Virginia has outlawed. They most likely are descendants of the European Polkat, and there are feral packs that exist across the world,

specifically New Zealand, though they are becoming increasingly common to keep as pets within North American homes. The act of hunting with ferrets is called ferreting, something which has historical roots going back to when they were first domesticated. The name itself has a Latin origin, meaning little thief, and there are multiple reports of Caesar Augustus, the first emperor of Rome, ordering ferrets to be used in certain situations. Ancient Roman historians, Pliny and Strabo, both record the emperor sending a group of ferrets from Libya to the Bleric Islands in 6 BC to deal with a rabbit plague. They were first introduced in the Americas in the 17th century and were commonly used by farmers to keep rodent populations at bay in Barnes until World War II. West Virginia's law, which states that it is illegal to, quote, hunt, catch, take, kill, injure, or pursue a wild animal or wild bird with the use of a faxia. ferret, unquote, is not the only one of its kind. Ferrets are outright banned in California because they

would damage the local ecosystem, while other states require permits to keep them as pets. So, if you have a ferret as a furry friend, make sure to keep a tight leash in West Virginia. This has been Megan Pitcock on Letter of the Law. If you want to hear more of Letter of the Law or other student shows like this, go to Radiofreehillsdale.com. Once again, you're listening to Radio Freehillsdale 101.7 FM. Thank you.