Rabbits(Or Lack Of)

[johnrthrfrd 223]

Since packing the ferreting game in and wasting my time trying to get permission I have been getting out just wondering about with the dogs and I think it must be around 3 weeks since I saw a live rabbit been to places were there was always rabbits and nobody bothered them as they were on council parks etc. Over the last 3 weeks have also been going to some local sand dunes were it is just one big warren for as long as you want to walk there was hundreds of rabbits and were always about didn't matter what time of day you went never seen a 1 the dogs are not even talking any notice of the sets not marking anything there is no sign of mixi and have not seen any mixi rabbits or dead rabbits about was speaking to a guy who lives there and is out at least twice a day with his greyhound and he says there's nowt about its not just the sand dunes am on about it seems to be a wide spread problem they just seem to have disappeared.

[General lee 979]

Haven't seen many rabbits around here this year a few here and there but not like there used to be there's a golf course just up the road used to hold good numbers now not one I think they have gased them or something

[johnrthrfrd 223]

Haven't seen many rabbits around here this year a few here and there but not like there used to be there's a golf course just up the road used to hold good numbers now not one I think they have gased them or something

I have permission on 3 golf courses I phoned the head green keepers and all said they haven't seen any rabbits about for ages.

[ferret110 27]

VHD

[General lee 979]

I dont think it's VHD here because there's a field just the other side of the bridle path that holds rabbits but the golf course has none

[CushtyJook 1,097]

Haven't seen any rabbits for years around here

[grompz 703]

rabbits round my area are really scarce on the ground these last couple of years,just my way of thinking but i believe that the decline could be due to the following reasons,more virulent strains of mxy,out breaks of vhd,the night shooting brigade,summer time hunters,more predators,foxes,cats,polecats,raptors and constant hunting on same ground,some one once said the humble rabbit would always survive. but from what i see and hear of late i have my doubts, hope we never see the day the countryside is without this great little sporting creature.

[ZeusPolecat 185]

Mixi everywhere 40% of the rabbits Ive caught this season.

Now I may be wrong but my understanding of mixi is that its spread by biting insects, like fleas. With these mild winters such insects will be active more often through the winter and on the warmest of winters, they may be active throughout. This global warming stuff is a concern.

Edited January 23, 2016 by ZeusPolecat

[grompz 703]

just back from hike with dogs,walked miles,as usual,caught 1 rabbit,and guess what it was full of mxy, still in good body condition,and was still pretty active considering it having the disease,amazes me how some times they can give a dog afair run when they can hardly see,hope they get a better recovery rate in all areas this summer.

[neil b 2,303]

Very bad season for us due to myxi 4000 acres totally whipped out,only got out 3 times earlie on just managed 100, it must have started earlie August and just came right through. Fingers crossed there is enough left to replenish the numbers throughout the spring and summer ready for next season

[jok 3,260]

Well well well. Cushy asking for anyone with ferrets in the Gloucestershire area and posting not seen any rabbits for a long time.nMust be wandering LOL. We are strived out with the things and running out of time. out of 29 weekend before last ( gaz post) 18 carrying well formed young. Out of 22 this weekend (gaz post) 14 carrying young. 2 does had given birth. No myxi and the rabbits were unusually big. Out again this weekend. See if we can improve. LOL

[Neal 1,869]

The number of rabbits on my permission fell away dramatically a few years ago; so much so that when my two remaining jills died nearly three years ago I didn't even bother to replace them. I can go for months without seeing any and even further afield I'm lucky if I see more than a handful on any given walk.

 

My poor old new recruit (nearly two year old kelpie) has only chased less than half a dozen in his whole life...if it wasn't for squirrels (of which he's caught one) he'd be redundant.

[CushtyJook 1,097]

Well well well. Cushy asking for anyone with ferrets in the Gloucestershire area and posting not seen any rabbits for a long time.nMust be wandering LOL. We are strived out with the things and running out of time. out of 29 weekend before last ( gaz post) 18 carrying well formed young. Out of 22 this weekend (gaz post) 14 carrying young. 2 does had given birth. No myxi and the rabbits were unusually big. Out again this weekend. See if we can improve. LOL

Aye but plenty of rabbits in Northamptonshire where I'll be living shortly jok

[jok 3,260]

Ah Ha. Lived there 14 years my friend and did a fair bit. Got a few chases but they ain't up to much down there. We travelled from Derbyshire cause I know the area so well. I'll give you a few hints if you've a mind to ask me.

[jok 3,260]

Better still. If you fancy another black eye or two I'll meet you down there.