BUNNIES OFF THE BIPOD
WHY WE SHOOT
• Loss of crops to hungry rabbits can be costly to farmers so pest control helps the rural economy.
• Reducing rabbit numbers on equestrian holdings reduces the risk of horses and ponies breaking legs in their burrows.
• Rabbit meat is lean and very tasty so time spent controlling them is rewarded with healthy free-range meat.
• Ambushing rabbits is a great way to unwind and watch wildlife.
This evening I am shooting over grassland that is managed for cattle grazing and as pony paddocks. The lush meadows and sandy soil create perfect conditions for rabbits, which have bred rapidly through the spring.
Although a growing population of rabbits may sound appealing to shooters, it is very bad news for the landowner here. As most people who keep livestock know, rabbit burrows pose a serious danger to large animals. When a misplaced hoof goes down a hole, the result can often be a broken leg.
As the rabbits here multiply, their
