RABBIT POPULATION

[Guest Magwitch]

Frank we ferret a orchard and its absolutely heaving with rabbits we ferreted it for the last two seasons and the farmers shot it all year round but its still alive alive O

[Guest Frank]

Yet I've seen rabbits a few miles down the road and Brown Hare too.

 

Brown Hare Ditch, in Co. Lietrim??

 

Want to know more.

 

Thanks all folks.

 

Frank.

Edited March 29, 2007 by Frank

[mooster 1]

I always spend some time finding out where the bunnies are breeding the most at this time of year.

especially interested after a bit of a poor winter ferreting due to lots of wind and rain.

I didn't expect much when i walked some fields this week but was suddenly surprised to see the classis game of"race to the hedge"when i came around the corner on a lovely early spring evening.

Loads of rabbits around so even when the natural predators have had their summer feast i'm looking forward to a good winters ferreting next year.Gotta be better than last year!

Mooster.

[Guest markbrick1]

loads here frank there everywere but no hares and loads of foxes

[Guest Frank]

Thanks all so far folks, amazing whats about and who has what when you just ask on here.

 

Frank.

[Aled 510]

Havent seen a rabbit in my part of Wales since September and i mean 2005 not 2006! Mixy arrived and thats it very quiet will keep eyes open over the summer.

Cheers

Aled

[Guest Ditch_Shitter]

Brown Hare Ditch, in Co. Lietrim??

 

Want to know more.

 

 

What's up, Frank? Have I said something wrong, mate? Yeppers; European Brown Hare. I can get ye a grid referance or even take ye to the precise track he came down. I was riding my push bike along the road on a clear and sunny day and watched him loping down this open field track, at a right angle to me, as I approached.

 

He got to the road side as I slowed and pulled up oppossite him. Twenty five foot away? I looked at him. He looked at me. He turned around and loped back up his track. I never really gave it another thought. I understand we have them over here so just took it at face value.

 

I've also been within twenty foot of the little native hares too. Had them on the track outside my gate. Studied them through binoculars. Had one squatting on my field - took a shot but fluffed the setting in my excitement Even followed one down our track in my mates headlights a couple of months ago.

 

Irish hares, it seems to me, are closer to rabbits than what we see in uk. But see one properly and it's no rabbit! Well, this thing was no Irish hare either. Bog standard European Brown.

 

Shouldn't he have been there then?

[Guest Frank]

Not as far as i know Ditch, but great news that their around.

I think their is a small population over in the south east or something, but never new that their were any up this way?

 

Glad their around Ditch, nothing up at all mate, was just amazed that they were around.

 

Let me know if you see many of them.

 

Good Luck,

 

Frank.

[Guest little_lloyd]

I thought after ferreting and shooting we left a big dent in the population but sor about 5 today!

[the fezz 44]

are you thinking ahead frank ....... be a good test for your dog when shes older

[Guest Frank]

Yep, them brown hares are something else fezz.

 

But native Irish hares, can be a challange aswell, as they can be in small feilds and rough ground, round my way anyway, so its a test for the dog ither way.

 

Frank.

[Guest Ditch_Shitter]

Let me know if you see many of them.

 

 

Quite honestly, I'm never likely to, mate. This one was five miles from my place and that's as good as another part of the country, to me.

 

But my mate, young Dean, he lives down there and has told me he shoots his fare share of rabbits ~ unknown on my patch, remember. Just that few miles up the road ~ and 'Hares'. (I told him straight; He could leave 'My' hares the well alone! They're funny about Morgan, up this end I'm with them on that)

 

But Dean was brought up in england. I never questioned and I don't know if he'd ever have thought to have mentioned any distinction ..... I'll ask him, next time I see him, if he's ever come across the Big Brown Ones. He'll be the kiddie to know. He lives within a klick of the spot I saw that one!

 

Just out of curiosity; Has there ever been recorded any competition between the two types? Can't really see it myself as the natives - as ye say - seem to be happy enough in the Juncus. While this bugger came down off what'd be a far better quality bit of grassland. Hillside. More open.

 

 

 

 

That your mouth watering, Frank?

[Guest Frank]