Lazy-Ferret, a question: can the ferrets actually be trained to be called back by you? As I see they are roaming free, no obvious leash or fence there?
I have a rabbit hunt using ferrets on my bucket list, unfortunately the art is dying out in Belgium...
Ferrets have no natural homing instinct, so unlike a dogs ancestors, that tended to have a den, and went out hunting, then returned with it's food to the den, ferrets ancestors would wander, find somewhere safe with a fresh food supply, and then when the food runs out, move on to a new location. E.g, they would move into a rabbit warren, then when the supply of fresh rabbits ran out, move on to the next warren.
There is good news though, Ferrets are a very corrupt animal, and will do almost anything for the correct treats. We have several that come to their names, and even our Wild Polecat, comes when the treat box is rattled, and even to his name most of the time, you just have to find a treat that has a greater hold then exploring a new place. Basically most people who hunt with them do not use leads, and work on the principle that as long as they can see the ferret when it does come out of the burrow, it will come back to them.
Our garden is in fact ferret proofed though, the fences have concrete gravel boards buried 2ft under the ground.
