Post by austringer84 on Jan 21, 2006 4:59:21 GMT -5
I just wondered if where any of you guys are rabbits have a closed season? In the UK i hunt rabbits all year round, we generally catch adults, but younger ones get caught to... any thoughts?
Here rabbit season ends Feb 28th for gun hunters and March 15th for falconry. We have an extended season to March 15th for rabbit, snowshoe hare, squirrel, pheasant, and quail. Also have an extended waterfowl season.
Post by austringer84 on Jan 22, 2006 3:41:57 GMT -5
We dontferret after the 1stof March here, but keep flying acceptable slips on decent rabbits weneva throughout theyear,also squirrels have no closed season here either.
I'll stop when I start finding fetuses in the rabbits. Last year that was mid March. Season ends on the 31st anyway so it's almost over when I quit. After that I'll fatten her up to release in May. Kurt
Post by austringer84 on Jan 26, 2006 7:59:21 GMT -5
I used to use the foetuses as the basis of when we stopped ferreting rabbits, but over the past 5 years I have consistently found foetuses and lacting does all year round! mid december obviously not that cold in South England and Wales!
I am going to try to hunt as late into the season as I can. I have seen pregnant bunnies two months ago so I am not really sure what to think about that as they seem to breed all year round down here in the warm south.
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines "Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day; give him a religion................ and he'll starve to death while praying for a fish."
Post by birdguy888 on Feb 19, 2006 20:17:24 GMT -5
We have "rabbit season" here in Utah. Certain months for cottontails, jacks can be taken anytime, year round. All game is "seasoned" here. Certain months for pheasant, ducks, geese, rabbits, quail, chuckar, etc......
SAo you can hunt rabbits all year round in the UK? Dammit I was told you could only go from September to March...well, that's pretty good news I guess. Although I don't reckon Dusk's gonna be hunting any time soon, I can't drive yet and the only land we have permission to hunt on is someone's garden a few miles away...I would walk, but not with a bow perch and stepladder...lol. Will have to wait till I move to Scotland *sighs*
Are the falconry regulations different in Scotland than in England? What I have heard about England is that anyone can have any kind of bird they want without any licenses or regulations. That could make for a lot of pet keepers or at least some pretty bad falconers. Don't take that personally, it is just an opinion that needs to be clarified.
I do not think you ever stop hunting them if you are not flying during the moult.
I have to disagree with this ancient theory that a Hawk will get fixated on smaller bunnies if flown at them.I have never come across that. Its a great way to end the season as your bird goes into moult with confidence. When it comes out in say September/October there will be no babies around but if he/she gets a slip on a small one he will go for it but if its a Big buck he will go for that as well.......No difference. I agree with the Ferret theory though.Its kick up rabbit in March or April or get your dog out or the wife
WHEN THE 'EAGLES' ARE SILENT THE 'PARROTS' BEGIN TO JABBER! SIR W.CHURCHILL