How to determine the Rabbit Population in an area
All successful management programs wither for deer, quail, turkey or any other game animal begins with a survey of the current game population in a given area. Rabbit management is no different. Before one can implement any successful program there is a need to determine the needs of the local population of rabbits. In order to do this a census must be conducted. Rabbits are not like people, they do not have a phone, that they can be called on to answer questions about the number of members in their household. You can not mail them a form to fill out; you can not conduct a door to door survey. How then is a rabbit population census taken? In order to establish an estimate of the population of rabbits in a given area, one must use a bit of mathematics to calculate the population of rabbits in the area. In order to perform this critical test, one needs the following equipment; Live Traps at least 4 per acre of each area to be surveyed, Nail Polish, Paper, Pencils, a Clip Board. To conduct your survey, place the live traps in areas frequented by rabbits over night. The next morning inspect your traps. Take notes on where the traps were successful. Take notes on the health of each rabbit caught. Mark each rabbit with nail polish be sure that you place nail polish on an area that it will not rub off, behind the head at the base of the skull would assure that the rabbit would not rub it off, rabbits tend to groom their ears so the ear is not a good place, before releasing back into the area they were caught. Record the total number of rabbits caught in the area on the first night of trapping. The second night of trapping needs to take place in about a week, using the same number of traps. Make sure they are placed in the same general area, but do not have to be placed in the same location each time. Inspect each rabbit for any sign of the nail polish at the base of the skull. Record the Total number of rabbits trapped the second night of trapping and also record the number of rabbits trapped a second time, those with the nail polish. To find the number of rabbits in the area you may need a calculator. Or use this sheet to set up your own for future surveys. Total Number of Rabbits Trapped the First Night ______________ Total Number of Rabbits Trapped the Second Night ______________ Number of Rabbits Trapped with Nail Polish the Second Night _______ Multiply the First 2 lines together _____________________________ Divide by the Number of Rabbits with Nail Polish to Find the estimated number of Rabbits in a given area, Estimated Number of Rabbits : __________________________ Example: Total Number of Rabbits Trapped the First Night 15 Total Number of Rabbits Trapped the Second Night 20 Number of Rabbits Trapped with Nail Polish the Second Night 7 Multiply the First 2 lines together: 300 Divide by the Number of Rabbits with Nail Polish to find the estimated number of Rabbits in a given area, Estimated Number of Rabbits: 42.857 or about 43 Rabbits in the area You can divide this estimate by the total number of acres you surveyed to determine the number per acre in the survey. If you surveyed about 20 acres you would have about 2 rabbits per acre. If you had a total of 100 acres you could estimate about 200 rabbits on the whole range. As I have mentioned before, this is my first run with Bassets, I have worked with Beagles in the past and am well aware of the need to elevate our sport to the next level. If we do not take Rabbit Managment seriously, and are not proactive in promoting our roles as stewards of the land etc.. Our sport will be regulated out of business like the fox hunt in england is now facing.... Just food for thought... I am currently disabled, but have a clear mind...LOL... if any group wants assistence in researching plans or developing plans I am willing to assist in any way I can. Believe me I have seen what the far left goody two shoes are capabile of doing. I have seen farmers charged by PETA and their cohorts( :evil: ) with animal cruelty over not having "enough" shade trees or shelter for cattle out on the wooded ranges down home.

Thanks for all the information, it is always helpful

Interesting! I agree with your therory on conservation and animal rights activists. I don't know anyone that has access to that many live traps.

Eric you can simply build home made ones out of scrap wood, just build a box that is about 8in X 8in by maybe 18 inches long, have the open end have a door that will slide up in some kind of track, put a 2 X2 inch board pointing up in the center with a notch cut in it that the dowell rod will sit in or use nails to hold the dowel in a V at the top, now take a piece of wooden dowell, and cut off a piece about 6 inches long cut a notch in the side so it will be able to catch on the edge of the hole you are gonna drill next, this will be your trigger. Drill a hole in the top half way between the upright and the back of the box ( or close, simply leave room enough room in the back for bait)attatch the door to one end of the dowell, and the trigger to the other so hoth are straight up and down when installed, and so door is open when trap is set. Cut an apple into 1/4 pieces and put it in the trap and your ready to catch bunnies well if you can make sense out of my directions anyway, I know they are kind of shaky

The live traps are a hard thing to come by. But most people do not know that you can borrow live traps from many county animal control offices etc... Many State Game Conservation Offices might be a resource. I used to have plans for box traps. I think they are in a PDF File Somewhere, I'll check and post those or offer those through email for anyone who might be interested. I believe they are on a website run by one of the state game agencies.... I'll see if I can find them.

thanks bigeagle, my instructions look even worse when i read them a day later

Don't worry about it I have weeks like that also...

Here are a few websites that have information on building your own box traps the second site is easier to understand the first and third sites are conservation pages from the state of Missouri. http://www.conservation.mo.gov/nathis/woodwork/ww10/ http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/sanders64.html http://www.mdc.mo.gov/nathis/woodwork/ww11/