Rabbit shooting in my part of the West Country took a serious nosedive towards the end of last summer. The simple fact was that the local population of bunnies seemed to disappear almost overnight, with the result that very few landowners had any need to keep their numbers in check.
Not so long ago, myxomatosis — which has been around for decades (see Vintage Times, p54) — was the main culprit when it came to sudden plunges in rabbit populations. The disease took a heavy toll over some years, but there always seemed to be a few resistant rabbits that made it through. And given this mammal’s deserved reputation for rapid breeding, colonies quickly bounced back.
Far more devastating over recent years has been the impact of rabbit haemorrhagic disease — usually referred to as RHD or RVHD. This highly infectious illness kills extremely quickly, leaves barely any obvious signs on its victims and has an incredibly high mortality rate. Rabbit populations that appear stable at the start of the week can literally vanish by the weekend when it strikes.
I am fairly certain that RHD caused last year’s sudden decline in rabbit numbers where I live. Thankfully, it appears that the local bunny population is making a comeback. This resilient little creature is living up to that reputation for rapid multiplication and there were plenty of young ones to be seen around the field margins during the latter part of March.
Thriving
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 05, 2021 من Shooting Times & Country.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 05, 2021 من Shooting Times & Country.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
United we stand
Following United Utilities' decision to end grouse shooting on its land, Lindsay Waddell asks what will happen if we ignore our vital moors
Serious matters
An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning
They're not always as easy as they seem
While coneys of the furry variety don't pose a problem for Blue Zulu, he's left frustrated once again by bolting bunnies of the clay sort
Debutant gundogs
There's lots to think about when it comes to making the decision about when to introduce your dog to shooting
When the going gets rough
Al Gabriel returns to the West London Shooting School to brush up on his rough shooting technique
The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition
In this excerpt from the 60th anniversary edition of the BDS's Field Guide To British Deer, Charles Smith-Jones considers the noise they make
A step too far?
Simon Garnham wonders whether a new dog, a new gun and two different fields in need of protection might have been asking too much for one afternoon's work
Two bucks before breakfast
A journey from old South London to rural Hertfordshire to stalk muntjac suggests that the two aren't as far detached as they might seem
Stalking Diary
Stalkers can be a sentimental bunch, and they often carry a huge attachment to their hill
Gamekeeper
Alan Edwards believes unique, private experiences can help keepers become more competent and passionate custodians of the countryside