I think this reply to MartinD is worth its own thread. There is a world of difference between the responsible shooter and the local chancer.
I have had ferreters on my own land with limited success. Ferrets work well in "young" warrens, warrens in woodland can be old and therefore deep and complicated. The older the warren the more likely the rabbits to run around underground and not come out into the nets, also the more likely the ferret will chase the rabbit down deep into a dead end which means the ferret will kill the rabbit and feed upon it whilst the ferreters radio tracking equipment cannot track it deep enough.
I've been down this path.
Shooting is better in old woodland, but as you've found out there are shooters and there are cowboys.
I have been shooting vermin and a member of the best forums for many years, if you can give me a rough location I can probably find you a responsible shooter to control your vermin. You meet the guy, check his insurance and decide, no pressure.
If anyone else wants vermin control there's a reasonable chance I can put you in touch. I won't just post a link to a shooting site, that would be stupid as anybody can join, but I will forward your requests to established and responsible shooters, after 5 years membership I know the decent chaps from the fools.
I should say that I am not looking for a shoot myself, my 17 acres keeps me busy, but I'm a keen shooter myself who would like to put good shooters in touch with woodland owners. I reckon that my 5 years shooting forum membership makes this safer than you just putting a request on-line and hoping that the respondent is a decent fellow.
If you want a pest controller eMail be at [email protected] and I'll see if there is a responsible shooter in your area.