Rabbits digging holes in my yard

albernifisher

Well-Known Member
Okay I got a bunch of rabbits diggin holes all over my back yard,how do I get rid of them without my kids hateing me?I know what I would like to do.Would I get in trouble for shooting them with a paintball gun?
 
LOL the Coombs rabbits have spread that far already:D

Dog...

or
Rabbits

Rabbits are valuable from a recreation and food standpoint, but they can cause severe nursery damage. Rabbit damage is often confused with deer damage, but on close examination, the difference is evident. Rabbits bite into shrubs at a smooth 45 degree angle; deer have no upper incisors, and their bite is ragged.
There are several methods of rabbit damage control:

  1. Habitat control. Because rabbits are heavily preyed upon, they can't live without abundant cover. Removal of rabbit cover is effective where damage is severe and economic loss is substantial. You should remove natural vegetation along ditches, fences, roads and odd areas as well as brush piles. Unfortunately, removing such areas may increase soil erosion and reduce the habitat of pollinators and pest predators as well as rabbits.
  2. Traps. Live traps can be effective in winter. Bait new traps with apples or carrots or even rabbit feces. Traps that have caught rabbits before don't need bait.
  3. Tree guards. Tree guards are made from 1/2 inch hardware cloth, light metal, or heavy plastic bands. If they extend at least two feet above the maximum snow depth, they effectively prevent rabbits from girdling bark. Tree guards may have limited usefulness in nurseries in terms of cost and labor effectiveness.
  4. Fences. Three-foot-high chicken wire fences are almost completely effective in excluding rabbits. The fence should be supported with stout wooden stakes or metal posts, and the lower edge must be tied to the ground to prevent rabbits from going under it. Rabbits will not dig under a fence, but they will squeeze through existing holes. So you should fill openings with soil or rock. The initial cost of such a fence is about 40 cents per linear foot. The fence should last from five to 10 years. You can build electric fences much more cheaply; use three strands of fine wire placed four, eight and 12 inches above the ground.
  5. Repellents. Several repellents discourage rabbits. You can apply some with a sprayer after diluting them with water or alcohol. Others can be mixed with a latex-based paint and applied with a paintbrush. Many commercial repellents contain the fungicide thiram and are available in a ready-to-use form.
Most rabbit repellents are taste repellents that make treated plant parts distasteful. New growth that appears after treatment is not protected. In addition, rain washes some repellents off and reapplication is necessary. Blood meal and mothballs are examples of odor repellents, but they have limited use in nurseries. Blood meal is unsuitable for bark application, and mothballs work only in closed areas.
Other rabbit repellents include ziram, tobacco dust and tree rosin. Tree rosin should be mixed at seven pounds per gallon of denatured alcohol. Allow this mixture to stand in a warm place for 24 hours, then paint or spray it on dry trees in fall. For large numbers of small trees, use a backpack sprayer; one gallon will protect 200 to 300 two or three-year old trees.


May help?
 
I would call Matt and have him bring over the Ironnoggin herd for a play date.LOL
 
"O look the puppies are playing tug of war with the stuffy toy"
 
Okay I got a bunch of rabbits diggin holes all over my back yard,how do I get rid of them without my kids hateing me?I know what I would like to do.Would I get in trouble for shooting them with a paintball gun?

As much as it would probably be a hoot, shooting the little buggers with a paintball gun falls under the "Harassment of Wildlife" in the Wildlife act. Again, the simplest solution to the problem makes another law abiding Canadian a criminal.
 
I like that idea,exercise for the dogs while we enjoy a good bottle of appleton's finest

Sounds like a HOOT! "Boogs" for sure would be right in there ;)

I actually have a live trap of sufficient size you could borrow. Shoot me a PM if you want to do so. Of course all the bunnies will have to be "released" unto me :cool:
Rest assured, their "relocation" will be right properly looked after ;);)

Cheers,
Matt
 
As much as it would probably be a hoot, shooting the little buggers with a paintball gun falls under the "Harassment of Wildlife" in the Wildlife act. Again, the simplest solution to the problem makes another law abiding Canadian a criminal.


I believe that Rabbits are not "wildlife" but an invasive non native species here on the Island so perhaps the Wildlife act would not apply? The SPCAANRFH (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals And No Rights For Humans) would see the paintball gig as a money making opportunity i am sure.
 
From what I got from the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement office I used to deal with the act actually applies to All wildlife (birds, fish, and mammals), weather it's a problem or not. Aside from sanctioned pursuit of cougars or bears with hounds, even the dog thing can get you in a heap of trouble. Dogs that chase deer for instance, can be shot on site by wildlife officials. It's at their discretion how harsh they want to be, but they are able to exercise their enforcement of the act to the maximum that the law allows under the circumstances.

I think the bigger thing here is how you get rid of the pesky things without having to explain to the girls how the fuzzy bunny got it's neck broken.
 
If you are out of city limits and 200 meters from your nearest neighbours house, then all you need is a family day outing plan and a buddy with hunting license and a shotgun.
 
I'd suggest a stew with potatoes, carrots and a nice quiente sauce


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Tffff, tffff, tffff
 
The best way to catch a rabbit……..

Have a good hot fire in your fireplace (I prefer to use fir for this application). Let the fire go out and cool.

Empty the ashes out of your fireplace then place the ashes in the wholes that the rabbit have dug.

Wait quietly close by……… when the rabbit returns…………. Kick em right in the ashhole!!!
 
Rabbits

Okay I got a bunch of rabbits diggin holes all over my back yard,how do I get rid of them without my kids hateing me?I know what I would like to do.Would I get in trouble for shooting them with a paintball gun?

IF you do choose the paintball method, be sure to freeze the paintballs first, it is way more effective! 2nd I have 3 7 week old redboon coonhounds for sale that will be ready to shred shortly, fun for the whole family! Although method 2 disposes of the evidence (and cuts down on dogfood bill) Method 1 is more cost effective. lol
 
I like the dog idea, and if your going to make a day of it for the dogs, I got a 8month old RidgeBack that i am curious to see if shes going to be a hunter or not,could be a good opprotunity to find out! the gf might not approve, but she doesnt need to know!..........lol.....good luck!
 
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