1835 J. Blakiston II. xxii. 334 In the ratting season, he [sc. the ratcatcher] will bind himself by a vow to abstain from the tempting fluid.
1939 June 54/2 The ratting season is in full swing in the Mackenzie delta and reports indicate that a good catch is expected.
2002 (Nexis) 22 Sept. 64 (headline) Today is the official start of the ratting season.