Thread: Stupid rabbit question….

Hi. This is The. Dumbest. Question. I’ve never bothered with rabbits before now. But I just bought a lifestyle block and I’ve got critters to reduce in numbers.

So… I’ve got the .22. And the super bright torch.

Do I need to creep around in the dark and then flash the light on? Kinda surprise them? Or can I just walk around and scan the area with it until I spot one?

I’ve hunted a tonne of deer and wallaby. Just don’t know how to do the simplest hunting of all.

For a start just scan with torch and shoot...dont miss they will wise up quick and then you will have to get sneeky.

Are they wascally wabbits?

We started with rabbits.
The basics apply during the day, keep wind in your favour, keep quiet and stalk them.
And they will learn and get harder.
The neighbours daughter is learning and getting better.

Hah. So bloody true.

I just used to sit on my deck at dusk and occasionally see them at breakfast too, rarely had to leave the deck to shoot them. I made an adapter so that I could use a camera tripod as a rest to shoot from a chair.

As HJ said dusk n sunrise.Have the sunrise behind you,sun will blind them for the 1st 30 minuts looking for you.

Use of a silencer helps.

little sods get light shy very quickly good trick is to use a red shield on light- can be made very simply by using clear red plastic- or try light green - just something to dull the light

Watch the size of your lifestyle block...Some of the ones around where we are would struggle to have a safe firing zone in any direction.....A relaive of mie has a similar issue and traps their ones, (cage)

Hi i would be interested in learning more about Wabbit trapping trap used and lure cheers

not overly difficult - use victor no ones or no two - the older gintraps were always the trap of choice by Rabbiters - learn how to fine set traps - bunnys are light so trap needs to be a real light set -trap on sign - entrance to burrows scratchings etc but camouflage traps - bury trap down a little from ground surface then just some light dry grass over trap will work - or news paper and a very light coating of sand or dirt over top - hazing is a method of directing animal over the trap - use anything at hand even thistles either side - dry branches shrubs - put either side so rabbit is almost coming along a path to hidden trap - no lure needed - great fun

Get a whippet.

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

We had heaps here for most of my life, could shoot a dozen within 5 minutes walk of the house any day, but once I changed land management to much longer grass and heaps of trees the rabbits are basically gone. If you want to get rid of them, this idea might help. On the down side the hares and deer that have increased since the rabbits left do far more damage.

When we had heaps of rabbits there did not seem to be any care needed to shoot them at all, just wander around and shoot, and at night the light worked well with no special requirements. Thermal spotter and NV scope would be perfect if you wanted to go that route.

For the lifestyle block that has no safe fire zone for a 22lr they do have some very good air rifles out there at the moment.
Not sure if you have seen these in NZ
https://www.evergreenrabbitcontrol.c...dropbox-traps/
I’d add a bowel of water for them to drink. They do need to be checked every day. Work a treat.