FalconFN Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 (edited) There was a slight northerly breeze and no moon so I decided to nip out last night with my night vision and Falcon air rifle. I went to a nearby permission that has mixed hay, wheat and turf fields as it has all now been cut and I can finally see the rabbits. I started on the turf and saw about 20 in total but I just couldn't get close without spooking them, I bagged 4 but I was a bit miffed as I hadn't shot it for a while and expected more. I moved onto the cut hay where there were a few more about, but again they were very wary and after wouldn't hang around long enough to get one than one in each place. I added another 5 and dropped them back at the car. Now there was only wheat stubble left and as the breeze had dropped to almost nothing I didn't expect much more action. I scanned the field and saw plenty of eye shine all over the place but mainly well away from the grass on which I was standing, so I slowly tried to make my way onto the stubble without making too much noise - obviously not succeeding, but when I scanned again I was amazed to see that most of the rabbits had stayed put despite my noisy approach. I got within range of the nearest group and dropped the first rabbit, I expected it's pal to bounce away as all the others had done but it stayed put and it was added to the bag. I then made my way around the field, walking quite slowly, but it has to be said, very noisily, and the same happened time and time again, the rabbits just refused to budge and I added another 10 before overflowing bag (and aching shoulder) made me call it a night. I've never known rabbits to behave like that and I can't think of a reason why they would stay put on the stubble but not on grass. Do they not like running on stubble? Do they feel safer it they can clearly hear the threat and locate it 40 yards away rather than sensing a threat 'somewhere' nearby? I ended the night with 19 of which the five smallest are in my freezer and the 14 biggest at the butchers. Incidentally, I saw at least 5 different foxes and a badger so the rabbits should be wary of predators. Very odd. Edited August 27, 2014 by FalconFN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonicdmb Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 If it had just been cut then it may be because they feel safe as the wheat hid them before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted August 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 If it had just been cut then it may be because they feel safe as the wheat hid them before. Possibly, but the wheat was cut at least a week and the hay was cut not that long before that. Both field are joined together but the behaviour was totally different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonicdmb Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 I don't have a lot of wheat on my permissions but one farm has a couple of fields for silage, they seem to feel safer in the wheat than the grass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maskedhunter Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 maybe they where more focused on the badger and two foxes.. and didnt pay much attention to the odd pop and whistle from ur gun ? not sure but maybe? Regards,Matt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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