Rabbit numbers

[Archer]

I would see around 200 each year and shoot about a 100 . This year less than 10 seen and none shot

 

[Smellydog]

Our decline started really as all the forestry came in. Then we seemed to have mixy for ages and I don’t think they’ve ever recovered

I've caught forest enterprises spreading it mate, I kid you not. And I know keepers that have been asked to source diseased rabbits!
Tw@ts.

 

[Stevie/P]

Never really seen large numbers in North West Leicestershire my passion was ferreting in and around the area on a Sunday morning in winter still have loads of Purse nets and box ferrets long gone not seeing any around my area now shame really.

 

[Nickb]

Just checked and Ive shot 532 in 2025 so far .

Loads more to shoot its just getting the time between foxing etc..

 

[Smellydog]

Just checked and Ive shot 532 in 2025 so far .

Loads more to shoot its just getting the time between foxing etc..

Long may it last.
I use to sell 800plus a year.
It's hard work but beats telly.

 

[finbar]

Am lucky got a few hill farms still have healthy numbers on them
Like a lot of us older lads we started hunting education on the humble rabbit ferrets then air gun dogs then to where we are now … be sad to lose them

 

[Beagle boy]

Never really seen large numbers in North West Leicestershire my passion was ferreting in and around the area on a Sunday morning in winter still have loads of Purse nets and box ferrets long gone not seeing any around my area now shame really.

Your probably rite steve
But we used to get enough to cause some issues, and we’d have plenty to go ferreting and shooting. I’ve seen good numbers over Hinckley way in the past and towards bosworth.
Any of the old warrens I used to ferret as kids have all turned into badger sets. Think I’ve seen more badgers than rabbits in recent years but that a hole other discussion

 

[Beagle boy]

I've caught forest enterprises spreading it mate, I kid you not. And I know keepers that have been asked to source diseased rabbits!
Tw@ts.

Would not surprise me in the slightest, I’ve heard stories of the highway agency’s putting them down aswell for quite a few years. I’ve got no evidence for it but I keep hearing the same stories from different people

 

[Stevie/P]

Your probably rite steve
But we used to get enough to cause some issues, and we’d have plenty to go ferreting and shooting. I’ve seen good numbers over Hinckley way in the past and towards bosworth.
Any of the old warrens I used to ferret as kids have all turned into badger sets. Think I’ve seen more badgers than rabbits in recent years but that a hole other discussion

Plus the increase in buzzards in and around the national forest has impacted on the rabbit population I’m starting see red kite in the area again.

 

[Beagle boy]

Yeah very true Steve, it’s nice to see the kites to be fair I just hope they don’t hammer the hares too much

Plus the increase in buzzards in and around the national forest has impacted on the rabbit population I’m starting see red kite in the area again.

 

[VSS]

I've caught forest enterprises spreading it mate, I kid you not. And I know keepers that have been asked to source diseased rabbits!
Tw@ts.

That would be illegal, I believe.

 

[CAVHUNT]

A wild rabbit carcass sells in Melbourne for around AU $30 each. Not too bad a return for a bit of fuel and a .22 round.

 

[old keeper]

They've been in decline for years here, down to VHD and mixy. The problem is, when the numbers drop below a certain level, they then struggle to overcome not only disease but the considerable number of predators that prey on them, especially badgers. In the spring, badgers dig out many nests, and foxes pick up the young to feed their cubs. Then there are the stoats, weasels, buzzards, etc. The rabbit population then either stays static or decreases. It can take years for their numbers to recover.

 

[Stevie/P]

A wild rabbit carcass sells in Melbourne for around AU $30 each. Not too bad a return for a bit of fuel and a .22 round.

$30AU blimey I used to give them away for free manly to old folks who appreciate a nice fresh rabbit reminded them of their time during the war when fresh meat was scarce.

 

[Mr Tree]

Can anyone tell me where/how this VHD thing came about?

 

[Nickb]

Am lucky got a few hill farms still have healthy numbers on them
Like a lot of us older lads we started hunting education on the humble rabbit ferrets then air gun dogs then to where we are now … be sad to lose them

Yep Ive hunted the humble rabbit for 40 years , dogs , ferrets , shooting.

Great memories and fun over the years.

 

[finbar]

Out of china like all things started in tame bred rabbits for the food market a think it’s been out for at least a good 20 years
As for rabbit prices granger market in Newcastle Nickyb will no it last a herd £11 a rabbit

 

[Mr Tree]

I've caught forest enterprises spreading it mate, I kid you not. And I know keepers that have been asked to source diseased rabbits!
Tw@ts.

We had rabbits a plenty before this VHD thing, but unlike Mixy. I never saw an ill or dying rabbit, with VHD, it was like they mysteriously disappeared. There were rumours that it could jump the species, to Hares. It seems like the disappearance of rabbits may be connected to the massive increase in Hare numbers. Just guesswork I suppose?

 

[Nickb]

Can anyone tell me where/how this VHD thing came about?

Yep another virus from China , which spread to Europe. Very high mortality rate which wipes them out in a very short time.

 

[Nickb]

Out of china like all things started in tame bred rabbits for the food market a think it’s been out for at least a good 20 years
As for rabbit prices granger market in Newcastle Nickyb will no it last a herd £11 a rabbit

Yep the old Grainger Market.

Who the hell pays £11 ?