Just wondering what time folk are venturing out to lamp rabbits? I know this will vary with weather, location etc, I'm new to lamping and have been struggling to get any. Tried both working along hedges and (VERY) quietly sitting out for them in the areas where they leave most evidence. Where possible I've been sat out on top of the farm buildings just to try and eliminate my stalking as the problem. Fresh droppings, digs and nibbled winter wheat all point to plenty being there. I've varied my start times from dusk up until 8pm but still no results. I've always taken the wind into consideration, avoided rainy weather, not shone the lamp around too much and I'd like to think I'm pretty stealthy. Am I too early???
Ideal time for lamping rabbits?
- Thread starter JTM12
- Start date
Andy-shooter
Well-Known Member
In my experience they can be out any time, if you have a trail camera stick that up near the warren and see if you get anything. If you do you may find there is some regularity to their behaviour (or not)
What time are you venturing out at the moment?
Andy
What time are you venturing out at the moment?
Andy
Bunnies don't particularly like getting wet & often stay underground avoiding it. I always found that they are often out before the dew forms & go down to keep dry & warm as it starts getting wet under foot.
For the same reason you won't see so many when it is raining or when tall grass is wet. After rain they will come out onto short grass lawns first.
Ian
For the same reason you won't see so many when it is raining or when tall grass is wet. After rain they will come out onto short grass lawns first.
Ian
A small amount of rabbits can do a lot of damage so it is possible that you not got that many. If poss borrow a thermal. I would say you want to be out after 8pm. Choose dark breezy evening and work up wind. If lamping quick sweep to pick up eyes and then plan you stalk. Easier with NV.
Rabbit nightly behaviour is strange. I have been sitting out for hours over the last few weeks culling foxs and the field I sit overlooking has a healthy bunny population. At 8.30 pm only a few out but by 10 pm may have 15 in view. Some stay put others are v active and travel considerable distances esp if it a buck chasing does. They are however creatures of habit. Also they will wise up quite quickly. Best to use air rifle or .22lr with subs. If you know somebody with a thermal then thats the best way of seeing you lokely population.
D
Rabbit nightly behaviour is strange. I have been sitting out for hours over the last few weeks culling foxs and the field I sit overlooking has a healthy bunny population. At 8.30 pm only a few out but by 10 pm may have 15 in view. Some stay put others are v active and travel considerable distances esp if it a buck chasing does. They are however creatures of habit. Also they will wise up quite quickly. Best to use air rifle or .22lr with subs. If you know somebody with a thermal then thats the best way of seeing you lokely population.
D
Andy-shooter
Well-Known Member
Thats about the time frame I go out and I usually see (and shoot) a few.
What colour lamp are you using? If not red, try a red T38 or T50, they pick up eyeshine out to 150m easy. I have NV but sometimes use the lamp for a quick sweep to locate the areas bunnies are before stalking in to shootable range if I’m using 22LR or just shooting them if I am using .17 hornet.
Overlay
Well-Known Member
How longs a piece of string really
Summertime they are out all day
Wintertime the weather plays a helping hand in keeping them in
Two of my perms 1st one is sheep pasture and soft fruit - rabbits are out there 24/7 in numbers
2nd perm. Grass and fruit trees - don’t bother until 10 pm summer or winter and there’s plenty of em
Variables of weather, disturbance food availability or play a hand
If your getting damage and seeing none stick a stealth camera in amongst them to get a time and set up well before in a pre made hide
Good luck
Phil
Summertime they are out all day
Wintertime the weather plays a helping hand in keeping them in
Two of my perms 1st one is sheep pasture and soft fruit - rabbits are out there 24/7 in numbers
2nd perm. Grass and fruit trees - don’t bother until 10 pm summer or winter and there’s plenty of em
Variables of weather, disturbance food availability or play a hand
If your getting damage and seeing none stick a stealth camera in amongst them to get a time and set up well before in a pre made hide
Good luck
Phil
FISH BOY
Well-Known Member
None of my permissions have them out in the day, however at dusk they will appear to get the last few rays to warm up but generally stick close to cover.
They only seem to get thier confidence and venture out when its full dark.
As mentioned earlier, pretty much a complete no show in or breifly after rain.
Must admit, ive never done an early morning session on rabbits as its a bit antisocial with the HMR...
They only seem to get thier confidence and venture out when its full dark.
As mentioned earlier, pretty much a complete no show in or breifly after rain.
Must admit, ive never done an early morning session on rabbits as its a bit antisocial with the HMR...
I'm using a red coloured lamp which stretches out to about 200m. As the farm is pretty flat and the problems are near the farm buildings I'm using a .22 air rifle to be on the safe side.
pinkpanther
Active Member
Depends on time of year, Early morning can be good, Some like the wet/lush grass, or if lamping at night leave it till later on in the night give them a chance to come out from the hedges into the open fields.
Ideal time for lamping rabbits?
When you're stuck either at work or in the house and can't get out
Set the cameras up and see what they say.
Atb
Ed
When you're stuck either at work or in the house and can't get out
Set the cameras up and see what they say.
Atb
Ed
I find its best to lamp rabbits when it's dark. When there's enough light to see them I do without the lamp
wabbiter
Member
best time is 1am to 3am, you get them right out from cover. when you're lamping from a vehicle it gives you time to spot them and come to a stop, shooting them as they pause at the hedge/burrow for 3-4 seconds before disappearing into cover. if you`re ambushing them dusk is prob best as you haven`t got a heater to keep you warm
rms364
Well-Known Member
Strange how a few have commented about the rain.. I’ve shot and caught with lurchers plenty when it’s been raining but then again I am from wales and if the rabbits had to wait till it was dry to feed they would’ve all died of starvation!! but a dark breezy night is best
but a dark breezy night is best
In my experience after dusk the rabbits seem to disappear for a few hours then come back out. Some of my best shooting has been between showers. The best was it was persisting down, stopped, I had 2 hours to get around and then it persisted down again.good bag and avoided the rain. But often find showery weather is good at night.
But yes I think after 12 when they are back out in force,
But yes I think after 12 when they are back out in force,
Best not to go out on bright moonlight nights. Cloudy dull night's with some wind help you work into them without letting them know you're coming. Not an ideal night but went out this evening as mate asked me to help on some autumn planted wheat which rabbits are hitting a bit. Managed 12 with the lamp just walking the field margins. Couple of misses but moped most of them up. Very good practise taking rabbits out to 70 yds off sticks.
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