Rabbits back in plague proportions
A recent report from the ABC has highlighted the problems rabbits are creating for local farmers, illustrating the need for firearms in controlling the numbers, as rabbits are now becoming immune to biological control measure such as the calicivirus. This is a promising report from the ABC which highlights firearms and shooter as essential tools within the agricultural industry and the only hope in controlling rabbit numbers until a new strain of virus is introduced.
Its refreshing to hear a media report that is supporting hunting and shooters, labeling it as a legitimate, necessary tool for feral animal control, rather than a criminal offense.
Have a listen to the report here:Â http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2012/s3435437.htm
What are your thoughts on this report?
Have you noticed increased rabbit number in your area?
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Category: Hunting and Shooting News, Politics & Media
Hi Louis,
It’s always good to see firearms and hunting not being vilified in the media.
As far as rabbit control goes, shooting has a place, especially on smaller farms, you can clean up a rabbit problem with regular shooting.
It is just getting the neighbours on board to help with the control of rabbits that is the key especially with hobby farms.
Rabbits are on the increase around my place for sure. I would say that we are in that goldilocks zone the report talks about.
Yeah good point Keith.
Something I think that would work well in this case is an organized rabbit cull, something similar to our annual fox cull in WA. Basically people organize teams of shooters, go out shoot the feral animals with each vermin being worth so many points, at the end the highest scoring teams get some great prizes.
An event like this gets people involved and is a great fun event to help control the feral animal population. There could be 2 events per year, maybe with one on a specific focus on rabbits and then foxes, who knows.
well said keith and lewis. subsonics sure help near builtup areas. We should have moderators as does NZ and GB though. Better vermin removal rates, safer OHS, less stress for farm animals and people nearby.
Councils have no spare funding for this problem, nore do State Governments.
Perhaps lock down a road or industrial site and send in specialists.
Shotguns are also extremely effective and safer from the view of dangerous range.
My usual haunts are devoid of rabbits (all around Parkes, NSW). I always see rabbits around areas where they can’t be shot, beaches, parks and suburban streets, but none on the paddocks.
I think most shooters would be happy to help with a cull without any prizes at all. With property access difficult the chance to access a problem area would be jumped at by most.
Rabbits have been on the increase for a number of years and are in plague proportions in many parts of SA. I shoot rabbits almost every weekend and on recent outings I have been up near the 20 mark on my own. The 17 HMR is the best rabbit cartridge ever invented and is so sweet in the CZ 542 rifle. There is no ricochet with the 17 HMR and its fine accuracy makes it the perfect round for built up areas and around stock.
hey 30/30,
I also use a 17hmr for my rabbit hunt, and completely agree with you. It also works well as a short/medium range fox whistling rifle.
Thanks for the replies everyone!
Louis,
I think a Fox cull like what they run in WA would work very well why not add Rabbits to it and have it set up like Clean Up Australia Day and run it all over Australia keep a list of the numbers of pest that were removed from the areas and then hit the problem areas hard next year. OK may sound a bit crazy but it is just an idea…
yeah i’ve heard stories of big increased of bunnies in SA. it just sucks that unless you have private property theres no where to go out for a shoot, if theres any farmers in SA who need a hand eraticating some bunnies please give me a call and i would love to help 0403815437