Rabbit damage

[WalkedUp]

I was out on one of my permissions last night after about a month away, and it was a good reminder of how quickly numbers can get away from you. It always changes quickly between March and April.
Last time out it was rabbits everywhere. I covered three small fields for around 20, carrying them with me as I shot. I would normally paunch as I go, but I was being lazy and kept pushing on as there always seemed to be another rabbit in sight. It was obvious even then that the permission needed a proper cull.
I have been away in Quebec, along with some stalking, so this was my first chance back. Conditions have completely changed. The winter wheat is about a foot up and the silage is pushing 18 inches, so the rabbits are effectively sat out in cover and very difficult to deal with. Managed just five.
I will need to catch up with the pockets on the silage fields quickly after first cut and then go again after the harvest. As it stands, there will be a fair bit of work to do come September.

 

[Nickb]

Yep once the youngsters emerge it looks like you haven't touched them.
Love a bit summer rabbit stalking

 

[Longstrider]

You lucky so-and-so's. I wish we had enough bunnies to shoot a few. Was the day I could easily wander round the farm and shoot 40 or more, and do the same the next night if needs be. Now it's dire. In more than a dozen mooches around the same ground looking for deer I have seen but one rabbit.

 

[Nickb]

You lucky so-and-so's. I wish we had enough bunnies to shoot a few. Was the day I could easily wander round the farm and shoot 40 or more, and do the same the next night if needs be. Now it's dire. In more than a dozen mooches around the same ground looking for deer I have seen but one rabbit.

I know we are lucky up here , its a real shame that they are non existent in a lot of the UK.

But you cant have it all , you have plenty deer and foxes whereas we have rabbits and fewer deer and foxes.

 

[Lone wolf]

Same drill for me up here in Co Durham, a final push whilst I can still get eyes on them is my game plan.

Last two sessions saw me shoot 20 and 22 but the grass and crops are coming up and makes for hard work sometimes.

A good few younger rabbits seen though so it looks like i will be very busy this summer

 

[WalkedUp]

Same drill for me up here in Co Durham, a final push whilst I can still get eyes on them is my game plan.

Last two sessions saw me shoot 20 and 22 but the grass and crops are coming up and makes for hard work sometimes.

A good few younger rabbits seen though so it looks like i will be very busy this summer

I did shoot a tidger last night. Would never have shot it for the pot, but when it is for pest control you cannot be fussy. I bet your thermal scope is a great aid for getting them into the crosshairs whilst they’re couched in the long grass. It was easier once the light when and you get IR eye shine, but with the cheap glass on my HMR I found it difficult.

 

[BenBhoy]

I did shoot a tidger last night. Would never have shot it for the pot, but when it is for pest control you cannot be fussy. I bet your thermal scope is a great aid for getting them into the crosshairs whilst they’re couched in the long grass. It was easier once the light when and you get IR eye shine, but with the cheap glass on my HMR I found it difficult.

I honestly misread that opening line....

 

[WalkedUp]

It was exactly like this except smaller scale:

 

[Lone wolf]

I did shoot a tidger last night. Would never have shot it for the pot, but when it is for pest control you cannot be fussy. I bet your thermal scope is a great aid for getting them into the crosshairs whilst they’re couched in the long grass. It was easier once the light when and you get IR eye shine, but with the cheap glass on my HMR I found it difficult.

I'm the same mate in that i shoot for pest control so everything has to go.

Thermal was a huge help in my last session with the HMR, had I not have had it i would have struggled on a few shots in the growing crops and grass, I absolutely love it and would be lost without it.

Welcome to have a look through it if you want sometime

 

[Nickb]

I'm the same mate in that i shoot for pest control so everything has to go.

Thermal was a huge help in my last session with the HMR, had I not have had it i would have struggled on a few shots in the growing crops and grass, I absolutely love it and would be lost without it.

Welcome to have a look through it if you want sometime

All rabbit control is pest control mate but I do leave a lot of the smaller ones for later on.

Haven't been out for a few weeks and there was loads of younguns about then .

 

[Lone wolf]

All rabbit control is pest control mate but I do leave a lot of the smaller ones for later on.

Haven't been out for a few weeks and there was loads of younguns about then .

Yeah that's how I see it but I know a few guys who won't shoot the youngsters as it spoils there sport in the future!

Aka how to lose your permission in my eyes, regardless of how many rabbits they have on there land .......all should go in my book

 

[Nickb]

Yeah that's how I see it but I know a few guys who won't shoot the youngsters as it spoils there sport in the future!

Aka how to lose your permission in my eyes, regardless of how many rabbits they have on there land .......all should go in my book

I can understand there way of thinking especially if they dont have big numbers.

You will never be able to shoot out my ground as loads next door not controlled.

Still take some youngsters

 

[WalkedUp]

Yeah that's how I see it but I know a few guys who won't shoot the youngsters as it spoils there sport in the future!

Aka how to lose your permission in my eyes, regardless of how many rabbits they have on there land .......all should go in my book

I like to see a few rabbits about, but as soon as they start causing financial loss to the farmer you know you’ve not done your job. You cannot see the damage to the field margins on my pictures. I should have shot them harder this winter rather than wait for the nice weather to pick them off. Yesterday was a lovely evening, just not for rabbit shooting!

 

[WalkedUp]

I can understand there way of thinking especially if they dont have big numbers.

You will never be able to shoot out my ground as loads next door not controlled.

Still take some youngsters
View attachment 471127

A proper tidger

 

[WalkedUp]

I'm the same mate in that i shoot for pest control so everything has to go.

Thermal was a huge help in my last session with the HMR, had I not have had it i would have struggled on a few shots in the growing crops and grass, I absolutely love it and would be lost without it.

Welcome to have a look through it if you want sometime

Definitely would be keen some time, looks like a game changer for this type of work.

 

[Nickb]

A proper tidger

Yep a proper tidger

 

[Lone wolf]

Definitely would be keen some time, looks like a game changer for this type of work.

Let's sort something out once the crops have come down

 

[Nickb]

Yeah that's how I see it but I know a few guys who won't shoot the youngsters as it spoils there sport in the future!

Aka how to lose your permission in my eyes, regardless of how many rabbits they have on there land .......all should go in my book

I will start another thread called Rabbitting and we can post this years exploits on it going forward.

 

[Lone wolf]

I will start another thread called Rabbitting and we can post this years exploits on it going forward.

Good call mate will be a good on going read

Only problem im going to have is picking them all up and getting a nice family photo like you do. Must work harder

 

[WalkedUp]

I like seeing a neat picture. Like the Germanic boar traditions, is good to have respect for the quarry and a job well done, same with woodpigeon after a good day. An absolute pain, but part of the process.