NickB65 Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 I know some people will be against this but we have a major problem with Hares on our Sugar Beet fields and one of the Rape fields. Last weekend the farmer shot six in one field and he never shoots unless it is bad. I wondered round last night and I counted twelve Hares in one beet field and six in the neighbouring field. As a sportsman I want to leave them as they are midst breeding but as this is my father in-laws field and these are now in pest proportions they have to be managed. Came back later with the .22LR and a slow walk around bagged me two large males both shot at around 120 yards. Met up with my father in-law afterwards and he said he just drove around the edge of the field in the van and got as close as 30 yards. Taking the kids horse riding tonight so will have to wait until Friday night before I go back and try and reduce the numbers a little more. Anyone else seeing the numbers of Hare increasing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 The issue is what control was done before it became an issue. I hate fixing things that are broken through lack of forethought, hares increase with better predator control and strangely I see the factor of lower rabbit numbers? Personally I should keep things under 100 with the hare and RF as I have personally wounded them with headshots that have been off the sweet spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 dosnt surprise me.....went on a hare shoot 7 years ago on the norfolk suffolk border.....wont say what the team of guns bagged at the end of the day...the game /beaters wagon the wheels were rubbing on the wheel arches and the beaters were sitting with their knees under their chins !!...one field we took 27 head off !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich1985 Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 I don't nesercerisly agree with the shooting of hares at this time of year but you are within the law to do so however hares may not be sold this time of year. We do have plenty of hares here tho and they seem to be having a really good breeding season, seen loads leverates this year. Keep ranges close as you can with them I hate hearing the noise a wounded hare makes, shoot em with a heavy shotgun load if you can get within range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeonblasterian Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 I find it best to get numbers down during the winter months when lamping and it keeps the farmer happy.Then unless there is still a real problem with them or the farmer wants them gone you can leave them alone during the summer months. If i had to shoot them i would not be using the 22lr at 120 yds but each to their own. Would rather use the 17hmr for that range because i am more comfortable knowing i would get a clean kill with less chance of wounding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diddy Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 as already said a 17 hmr would be best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFC Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 I parked up to shoot Rabbits on a newly sown cover a couple of nights ago and there was ten Hares on the one cover. There's loads more around the shoot. We're going to have to start trimming numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickB65 Posted June 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 I have been shooting the land for the last four years and we always try and keep the number low but never too low. Last year we saw few and during the winter we thought they had gone completely. I have been out a lot since getting the .22LR keeping the rabbit numbers down but rabbits this year are few and far between. Some old warrens showing sign of activity but most deserted. We have had a few more foxes and the local game keeper has been taking care of these. It has only been since Feb have I started to see more and more and they seem to be migrating in. Getting close to the hares is not easy as they spook easily so although confident taking shots at that distance I only do so in perfect conditions. Last night there was not a kiss of wind and both did me the honour of sitting up tall in profile. I am going to try driving up to them in the 4x4 as they seem to ignore vehicles or jump into the tractor and take a few from the high cab. All of those shot go to a local chap who in his 80's can no longer get out and about to shoot so they are very appreciated. We are going to leave at least two pair on the larger fields and a pair on the smaller fields and try and keep the numbers sensible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 I am over run with them, no-one would believe me if I tried to explain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRNDL Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 I counted around thirty over 2 fields on one of my permissions. We don't shoot them as they don't cause much damage as it is a sheep farm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 I counted around thirty over 2 fields on one of my permissions. We don't shoot them as they don't cause much damage as it is a sheep farm. That's getting close to our population, every field, wheat and barley, last harvest, before the dew point the grain carters had them running between the wheels, with lights on four tractors and two combine sit was like being in Narnia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 I used to shoot hares on the sugar beet for two farms they go down the row nibbling the hart out the plant .One night I shot 87 hares for 100 shots with the .223 Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben0850 Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 That's getting close to our population, every field, wheat and barley, last harvest, before the dew point the grain carters had them running between the wheels, with lights on four tractors and two combine sit was like being in Narnia. Likewise, I normally thin a few out during the winter months but this year either the Hares have been taking fertility supplements or I've dropped a clanger. Counted thirteen in one small field of spring barley the other night, we always have a strong population but this year seems to be heading towards epic proportions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 I counted around thirty over 2 fields on one of my permissions. We don't shoot them as they don't cause much damage as it is a sheep farm. you think? try establishing a new hedge and that's reckoned to be grazing for another ten sheep from those 30. Hares however selectively graze, were a rabbit just eats whatever is in front of it (this can be good and bad) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 I counted around thirty over 2 fields on one of my permissions. We don't shoot them as they don't cause much damage as it is a sheep farm. It's reckoned that 15 hares eat the same as 1 cow and 6 sheep eat the same as 1 cow, therefore your 30 hares will eat the same as 12 sheep. Hardly not much damage ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 I counted around thirty over 2 fields on one of my permissions. We don't shoot them as they don't cause much damage as it is a sheep farm. A hare will eat in a week ,that a sheep will eat in a day . Harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie-fox Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 A hare will eat in a week ,that a sheep will eat in a day . Harnser +1 they do lots of damage!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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