Getting Disheartened With It All.

[Jonjon79 13,358]

 

 

It's fecked in loads of places and the last thing they need is people going at them with all methods trying to catch the last few survivors.

That's just common sense mate, but unfortunately it ain't all that common these days, surely people would realise if they had a brain there's a reason why the population has died down, and until that's sorted there never will be any rabbits in huge numbers

The airgun lads are the worst for it.

With respect mate, I don't think that's accurate.

 

Since I came back to hunting with an air rifle, I've got to know a lot of good blokes And, I don't know anyone that would ruin a hard-won permission by over shooting it.

 

One of my permissions is a 30ish acre rugby club. I know where every single warren is.

The owner has asked for all the rabbits to be gone - he hates them.

I could lay outside the warrens and absolutely devestate the place within a couple of weeks but, I chose not to.

 

I visit 2-3 times a month now and, take 3 or 4 each time. It's enough to keep them off the pitches.

Every one that I shoot is prepped and bagged and put in the freezer.

 

In the 18 months that I've been visiting, the numbers have never dropped. But, Mixy is slowly creeping in now so, I plan to pop down for a good clear up soon. I'll shoot as many of those as I can to try to help the rest.

They'll all be bagged and thrown in the incinerator.

 

This is also the way I teach my daughter to hunt - don't take more than you need. And, in my experience so far, this what I know of the majority of airgun hunters that I've become friends with.

 

Sure, you do get the odd trigger happy one that'll wipe the place out then stand there admiring a big pile of dead that he has no clue what to do with. Then, next week he's in the same place scratching his head and wondering where they've all gone but, this type isn't limited to airgun hunting.

[forest of dean redneck 11,604]

If you want a challenge try setting snares on branches for grey squirrels ,they need thinning out. No point moaning there's no rabbits when all you want to do is constantly snare them.

[Accip74 7,112]

I've never understood snaring as an unpaid hobby, unless you're starving of course.....

[gamerooster 1,179]

I've never understood snaring as an unpaid hobby, unless you're starving of course.....

I'll snare a fence line with 10 or so and be happy picking a brace up for the pot, once I've caught a couple I'll pull them up till next time, if I catch more I'll freeze them for another day

[gamerooster 1,179]

If you want a challenge try setting snares on branches for grey squirrels ,they need thinning out. No point moaning there's no rabbits when all you want to do is constantly snare them.

Not forgetting mink, and all the assorted gamebirds there is

[terryd 8,423]

Personally I like to put the brake some some times. A few nights last year the dog would nail 5 or 6 rabbits in a row and I would turn round and go home. I only needed so many for my own use. On the other hand if he missed plenty I was more inclined to carry on

Edited November 1, 2016 by terryd

[terryd 8,423]

Snaring is an art so you could get a lot of satisfaction catching the odd bunny

[NEWKID 27,159]

Loads of good replies, and I'd like to think in the main if you have some permission (or even jump over the same hedge regularly) you look after it in the best way you can, i.e. Don't smash the shit out of it..

I've got permissions where I've ferreted it hard for a season and now only pamper it for the last couple as the rabbit numbers are down, the farmer wants certain bits hit, so I just show my face take half a dozen or so and he's happy. Between our little group we're lucky to have a lot of permission between us and will go out with each other (never on the others on our own), this means all of our permissions get a break.

To the the original poster, I understand your desire to get hunting again and a kill is the end product, but if the numbers are that low setting shares to take the last few is counterproductive IMO. have an early morning walk around it, first light and you'll see fresh runs in the dew or hopefully a few sat out, as said look at other game if rabbits are low. You may have to travel a bit fir some rabbits, keep your eye on here for opportunities to get out with others who need a hand.

Hopefully you find a few and enjoy your trips if not, it's better out in the countryside than sat infrint of the telly regardless..

[darrren 414]

Im not sure how my post came across as wanting to kill and smash the place but I just want to clear up that's not the case. Im in the services so I work away, and I only have snares up one night a week. I decided to use snares as my ferrets havnt bolted a single rabbit. So, I just got my new permission and the runs are everywhere, Sunday morning there were fresh runs upon runs. I only kill what I eat, I never kill for killing sake. I obviously havnt even scratched the surface on my new land yet, but I won't be over working it either. As I say snares are only ever up one night. It is indeed an art the snaring game correct. Reason ill be using snares here at the moment is the fern os so dense warrens are impossible to find but as I say I've only been this weekend so still learning the land. Thanks for the input guys. I know what you mean about just enjoying being out and the like and I agree.

[darrren 414]

As for the re stocking of land is that genuine? Never heard of that.

[gamerooster 1,179]

As for the re stocking of land is that genuine? Never heard of that.

In my eyes it's pointless till you sought out what's got there numbers so low in the first place mate; they'll just end up the same way as the rest

[darrren 414]

I know what you mean. What's odd up my sisters place is the numbers are low, and literally on the other side of the road the field is crawling with them. I will have a good look around the permission now and see how to go about it. I guess I just felt like i was doing something wrong. There are plenty of foxes about the new permission and cubs but again not really my thing I only do it for the pot.

[stumfelter 3,034]

Hardly any rabbits around where I hunt due to colisi virus, but I have shot more than I need in the past for pest control before colisi. I am not one who loves the kill but I definitely love the chase and I love the chase more when it is a successful chase. Does this mean I am a sadistic killer? If so, so be it...

I don't know about the virus but she had a stunning pair of tits in game of thrones.

[nans pat 2,575]

As for the re stocking of land is that genuine? Never heard of that.

yea,i was a golf course he let rabbits go on,think it went well he was getting a pup started.