Ferrets are used to hunt rabbits in many parts of the world but it has been illegal here since at least 1935, when a series of existing New Hampshire statutes, including this one, were codified into their current form. Nobody at Tuesday's hearing before the Fish and Game Committee knew its history prior to that.

Can you hunt with ferrets?

A jill (female ferret) is more typically used in a hunt than a hob (male ferret). ... Hunters can also have the ferret chase the rabbit into a net; long nets can be used, but purse nets are more commonly associated with ferreting. Some hunters now rely on firearms or dogs to take the prey, rather than laying down nets.

Is ferreting legal in the US?

There are two states where ferrets are completely illegal: California and Hawaii. That means they are legal in the remaining 48 states, but local laws (depending on city or county) can choose to follow their state guidelines or provide a stricter law.