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Where have all the rabbits gone
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 3:46 pm
by Outandabout
Had a walk round the permission last night and earlier today. Normally there is a lot of rabbits about, but not last night i only spotted 2 and not close enough for a shot and nothing at all this morning. Very little sign of anything either. Has anybody else lost their rabbits.
Kevin
Re: Where have all the rabbits gone
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 5:16 pm
by Pat g
This is not what you''ll want to hear Kev but in all probability they've been wiped by mixy mate. The damp mild and wet conditions we've had for the past couple of months are the ideal conditions for the awful disease to thrive added to the fact that many warrens will have been flooded too

Not good news but it happens to everyone and on every permission. I had a permission that had a big rabbit problem in the late summer and Autumn. I hammered it to start with and got on top of it then mixy struck as well, I visited 3 weeks ago and only saw two rabbits which did'nt present safe shots i might add but hey ho. The landowner is delighted mind.
Don't worry though the bunnies will be back. Just give it time and when they do return just go easy on them until if and when they begin to become a problem
ATB,
Pat
Re: Where have all the rabbits gone
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 6:47 pm
by Raj
They have gone to ground. In spite of their lovely fur, they have little insulation in the form of body fat. Hence they go to ground when the weather turns cold. On the plus side, they will be out in strength as soon as it warms up a bit and the grass shoots poke out.

Re: Where have all the rabbits gone
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 7:00 pm
by mark holding
I expect it is the cold weather, as the cold effects all mammal's including us. Hopefully they will be out soon. You are lucky to have a permission. I travel 20 miles to the Woodend Farm Shooting complex which is great for a variety of disciplines. I used to go with my Son to Pete's Airgun Farm in Essex, which is also a great shooting places, but there never seemed many rabbits, due to the number of shooters, and the pigeons were shooter shy and lucky to get within 300 yards of them, plus it was a 3 hour drive from Nottingham. Keep up the good work and enjoy the sport.
Re: Where have all the rabbits gone
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 10:50 pm
by granville
seen doe taking nest materal today looked like it will be
time for her to give birth . good lot of rabbits out on ,
that permission seen 10 or so .- 2 for me .

Re: Where have all the rabbits gone
Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 2:21 am
by FPoole
Raj wrote:They have gone to ground. In spite of their lovely fur, they have little insulation in the form of body fat. Hence they go to ground when the weather turns cold. On the plus side, they will be out in strength as soon as it warms up a bit and the grass shoots poke out.

Little body fat, you haven't seen our pet New Zealand buck. He's fat as a hog.
