Do you think rabbit numbers are on the rise?

[Macca]

has anyone noticed any general increase in rabbit population over the years? could this be because rabbits around now have a natural resistance to Myxomatosis?

[RoginaJack]

SSShhhh, Macca, you might wake up the Myxo boffins from their Lab nap!

But, yes, I do but only in isolated areas and this could be due to lack of trapping, shooting, resistance to Myxomatosis and the drought (less Mozzies).

I used to trap for the local Butcher and R.M.W. would buy the dried skins from me but I don't think that happens today. I can'r recall when or where I saw a local skin & hides buyer.

Also, I've noticed more Hares around too.

[Bennybigbores]

Definetly more around, part of our property for the last 20yrs never seen a rabbit, the odd hare, but in the last 8 months shot over 30+ and that's not even thinned them. And on the parts were there are always bunnies, well well just shot gunned over 200 in just over 2hrs virtually a rabbit shot every 50 seconds, some very hot barrels, bruised shoulders and fat foxes

[Shotfox]

Sorry guys I have to disagree.

Sure there are pockets of poulation but overall there seems to be less. Gone are the days of running over as many rabbits as you shot. or running out of ammo in the field.

I know in the Snowy Region the local council has a controlled release programme of Calleichi (Spelling ) Virus. and this has desimated local populations to levels I have never seen in my life. The humble bunny is a survivor though despite preditation and human efforts to get rid of them.

I'm sure they will be back just like the NRL grand Final.

[scrolllock]

I can only speak for SE Victoria here but in my travels there look to be more.

[Vati]

I'm sure they will be back just like the NRL grand Final.

I reckon they're waiting on the fringes of mans territory... The invasion is soon I tell ya!

[Yelp]

I know in the Snowy Region the local council has a controlled release programme of Calleichi (Spelling ) Virus.

"Calicivirus"

(I did actually know that without Googling to look like a smart ass )

[Zilla]

I know in the Snowy Region the local council has a controlled release programme of Calleichi (Spelling ) Virus. and this has desimated local populations to levels I have never seen in my life. The humble bunny is a survivor though despite preditation and human efforts to get rid of them.

Keeping them down will be the trick.

They powers that be will mark this as a success and forget about it. Numbers will go back up and by the time they sort their s**t out to do it again we'll be back to big numbers.

[SendIt]

Sorry guys I have to disagree.

Have to side with shotfox on this.

I'm going with down overall.

[tom604]

i will call steady,,a bit up from a few years ago but it seems that when they start to get thick the mixi/cali virus smacks them down again

[bigfellascott]

Yeah they seem to have started to increase around the properties I frequent, I've been thinning them out as best I can.

[Westy]

Yes I think their on the increase in Western Queensland for sure!!Have seen more in the last 12 months than we've seen in a long while!!! I've been told that the increase is due to the lack of rain , which cause mosquito to breed up to plague proportion's which then do their work spreading the "Calici Virus" Bugger the Rabbits they need the rain bad , just got in today from a week out bush and man it's pretty Bloody dry out there!!!!

[on_one_wheel]

Rabbit numbers appear to be staedy where I live, I still see plenty of myxo but haven't noticed calicivirus probably because I dont check for it and they normally hang out and die in their burrows according to the boffins.

Going to head to Marree via Roxby soon for a hunt / family trip, will be interesting to see how many I spot on that trip.... been 5 years since I've done that run.

[Skadoo]

I still see plenty of myxo but haven't noticed calicivirus probably because I dont check for it and they normally hang out and die in their burrows according to the boffins.

Are they still actively introducing that or is it just circulating and doing it's own work?

[NukeBOMB88]

I haven't seen a bunny on our property for about three years now! It's driving me mad because the only thing that I see when spotlighting is foxes or hare sbut never any bunnies. If you compare that to a few years ago when we'd always see 5 or 6 bunnies you'll see that in my area the number of bunnies has dwindled to almost none! I almost ( But not quite ) wish that there was still bunnies everywhere

[Westy]

I haven't seen a bunny on our property for about three years now! It's driving me mad because the only thing that I see when spotlighting is foxes or hare sbut never any bunnies. If you compare that to a few years ago when we'd always see 5 or 6 bunnies you'll see that in my area the number of bunnies has dwindled to almost none! I almost ( But not quite ) wish that there was still bunnies everywhere

be careful what you wish for!!!!!!

[lowb]

I haven't seen a bunny on our property for about three years now!

Maybe catch a few elsewhere and release them on yours. Come back 6 months later... Millions!