Spotlight for Ferrets in Aubrey Valley

Spotlight for ferrets in Aubrey Valley August 2nd and 3rd: to conduct litter surveys and trap and process ferrets. Spotlighting will begin on Sunday night, August 2nd and conclude on Tuesday morning, August 4th.

Kits are dispersing from their mothers during the summer so there is a great chance of trapping new ferrets (kits) as well as recapturing ferrets from other events. Because ferrets are being seen in areas where we normally do not spotlight, we will have teams go out and spotlight these new areas to try and trap these ferrets. Besides ferrets, other animals that could be observed during spotlighting include foxes, badgers, coyotes, owls, hawks, porcupines, skunks, and pronghorn.
Requirements for Spotlighting:

• Ability to stay attentive from 8:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. while spotlighting for black-footed ferrets
• After the hour-long spotlighting training at 8:00 p.m., volunteers will begin spotlighting around 9:30 p.m. and continue until sunrise, usually around 5:00 a.m.
• Ability to use or learn how to use a GPS unit
• Training will be given on how to use a GPS unit

TO SIGN UP:

1. Please send an email to [email protected] with “August spotlighting” in subject line
2. Indicate which night(s) you will be attending and who else (first and last name) will be attending with you
• You may sign up for one or both nights
3. Please indicate if you will be able to use your own vehicle, and the vehicle capacity (4×4 vehicle preferred but not required). If you are able to bring a high clearance vehicle, it is greatly appreciated, as it frees up vehicle space for others and allows greater coverage of the Aubrey Valley. Mileage is tax deductible.
4. List any of the following equipment that you are able to bring: GPS, clipboard, flashlight, backpack, binoculars, or a cordless rechargeable spotlight
   For the August event, please RSVP at your earliest convenience by July 31st.

If you are unable to use your own vehicle to spotlight, you will be placed on a team with a vehicle. The Ferret Project has plenty of equipment to loan out but does not provide flashlights or headlamps.

If you sign up for spotlighting and are then unable to attend after registering, even if it is the night of, please make sure to contact us as soon as you can, so your space can be filled. Email is checked at 6:00PM and someone remains at the field house until 9:00PM each spotlighting night, so please make sure to contact us via the information listed at the end of this email.