old'un Posted May 16, 2018 Report Share Posted May 16, 2018 The decline in rabbits seem to vary around the country with some areas reporting falls of 60% England and more than 80% in Scotland…https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/960304/UK-rabbit-breeding-numbers-decline-scotland-rabbit-population In the West Midlands at this time of year I am usually seeing lots of young rabbits but this year I could count on one hand the number I have seen, some of the biggish warrens I know are devoid of rabbits, also I am not seeing many foxes, and Buzzards numbers seem fewer, the BTO have done some research into UK mammal population…https://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/bbs/latest-results/mammal-monitoring Not seen this article before and only spotted it when searching Rabbit decline, New Zealand plan to release a new strain of RHD…http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-43221704 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Matt Posted May 16, 2018 Report Share Posted May 16, 2018 I havent seen such low numbers of rabbits before. Of the 8 or 9 places I used to shoot rabbits in any number on I now have just one place where 6 would be a big bag now, all the other places are barren. My FAC Air which has been my bunny rifle for a few years now barely gets out. Just no bunnys to go after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getthegat Posted May 16, 2018 Report Share Posted May 16, 2018 Not a one on any of my perms here in Essex. May have a lead on a farm a few miles away that has mentioned damage being done by Mr Swewy Wabit ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 I had an hour on the push bike last night, the good thing being you can look over hedges and nip down farm tracks to see if anything is about, found a few bunnies but only twos and threes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerCat Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 If he found more than ever near me but the last 3 year's have had very few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boarder Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 The last few years have been very barren on our place down near Hastings, East Sussex. Not this year though. They're everywhere. Its like watership down out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 i have some farms with a few rabbits, hope they are there when ferreting comes round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumpy22 Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 2 minutes ago, mossy835 said: i have some farms with a few rabbits, hope they are there when ferreting comes round. I hope they are yours are looking great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepasty Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 we got shed loads in SW cornwall! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 Never seen so many on my little patch but have not had a look at the couple of places which was riddled last year, waiting for the grass to be taken off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 Happy to say plenty here, there was some mixy in the autumn but that seems to have disappeared Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 21, 2018 Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 The picture is very patchy. Many areas are reporting low numbers but others the complete opposite. Last weekend I saw a paddock swarming with bunnies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted June 21, 2018 Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 On 12/06/2018 at 19:40, thepasty said: we got shed loads in SW cornwall! That is a seriously productive area. Can't sell many down there because almost any non emmet who wants some can usually get them for free. Hayle seal sanctury will take as many as you can get them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumpy22 Posted June 21, 2018 Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 I have got a few new permissions that have high numbers. But I would say numbers are down on ten years ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Callahan Posted July 22, 2018 Report Share Posted July 22, 2018 South West Scotland seems very bare of bunnies. 12yr ago when I got my rifle I could take 30-40 rabbits every night I went out. I won't have shot 100 rabbits in the last 5 years!!. I have a HMR and .22 and fear losing the rifles through lack of use - have been informed the police don't like us having rifles and not using them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted July 22, 2018 Report Share Posted July 22, 2018 Well the grass is off and there are not the number we had last year....good news for the farmer and I suppose bad for us, no or little shooting. Don't panic, rabbits do what rabbits do and they will be back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tollerman Posted September 24, 2018 Report Share Posted September 24, 2018 Numbers down in my part of Essex.Bags way down from ten years ago when twenty to thirty in a couple of hours was the norm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longbower Posted September 29, 2018 Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 I have been out this evening on my 4 of my permissions with a hand held night vision camera and ,,,,,,,,,,,,Zero ! not one. Yesterday evening, my friend and I walked the local golf club (next to M6 Thelwall viaduct) , similar result . This is getting worrying And some of my 'pensioner friends are having to buy meat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stevo Posted September 29, 2018 Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 Lots here 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason_ox Posted September 29, 2018 Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 We’ve never had rabbits before in large number for 20+ years I’ve been shooting this ground. Its low lying prone to flood and clay. With this years weather we’ve had rabbits move in and have lots of young! Very strange! I’m sure they’ll move out when the rain comes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitester Posted October 1, 2018 Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 Last year shot 165, this year 111 so far. So a little bit down but definitely not seeing as many around. in 2015 and 216 was shooting 300 plus on the same ground. However previous to 2015 it hadn't been shot much so I'd expect a decline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShropshireSam Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 Very few around my part of Shropshire (Newport) this year. Shot over 500 last year and will have shot less than 50 so far this year. More hares than rabbits on most of my permissions now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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