Thread: Where have all the bunnies gone

Has anyone noticed a big decline in numbers? We had a huge rabbit problem, baiting didn’t work so we started shooting them for pet food and to give the kids something to do. Still couldn’t keep on top of them. They started vanishing over summer, presumably to hot and because of the drought but they haven’t come back. Our farm is surrounded by highway and they burrow along the roadside fences and paddocks. Obviously glad to not have such a big problem but it gave the kids something to do and I find it a little strange they have vanished.

Off making chocolate for Easter, food manufacturing deemed an essential service.

Originally Posted by Gapped axe

Off making chocolate for Easter, food manufacturing deemed an essential service.

Of course, I didn’t even think of that

Has your council poisoned? I went to take my son to some public land that used to be crawling with rabbits a while back....only saw one , should have checked as the area had been poisoned.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Has your council poisoned? I went to take my son to some public land that used to be crawling with rabbits a while back....only saw one , should have checked as the area had been poisoned.

The paddocks near some railway tracks and they’ve been doing some work on the tracks, the rabbit holes are all along the fence line so possibly but I’d think they would have let us know

They moved here? Iv been in town for about 6 years and only saw the first rabbit this spring....up to 6 now

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

They moved here? Iv been in town for about 6 years and only saw the first rabbit this spring....up to 6 now

We were getting 10-20 each time we went out, lucky to get 1 now. And the only one we’ve seen is going in and out from under the house driving the dog mad.

They might have all moved to Central. Thousands of the wee buggers here.

I wouldnt have thought the drought would bother them much? after all they love Australia and central otago

It occurred to me that we may start appreciating the bunny rabbit again in the near future.

Originally Posted by MB

It occurred to me that we may start appreciating the bunny rabbit again in the near future.

For close to home hunting or food variety? They do go good in the slow cooker.

Originally Posted by Joe_90

For close to home hunting or food variety? They do go good in the slow cooker.

I haven’t been brave enough to eat them, I would have thought it’s a bit risky with things like the virus they released to take them out? Iv heard they are pretty good though.

A couple of cats in the area can clean up the rabbit population in a couple of weeks,had about 10rabbits living under the neighbors horse shed a while ago,spoke to him recently and mentioned I hadn’t seen them in a while,he said an old tomcat had moved into the barn and cleaned them out.

Originally Posted by Chelsea

I haven’t been brave enough to eat them, I would have thought it’s a bit risky with things like the virus they released to take them out? Iv heard they are pretty good though.

I will keep the back legs from time to time while out night shooting. Only if the animal looks in good condition and isn't an old buck.
I never really thought too much about the virus risk to be honest.

Originally Posted by Joe_90

For close to home hunting or food variety?

Both, but I meant as a source of protein should things get really bad. You don't need vast amounts of land or be able to walk up a mountain to shoot a rabbit.