This post is for the people using longnets for rabbiting. Go to your local rope supplier and get a small Fid, by far and away the easiest way to replace rubber rings on your net system.
Long nets
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Rabbit tree
A productive day up Arrowtown way on the pest control and not a bad view to go with it. The ferrets were like wee machines…
Little pig
I caught a glimpse in the distance of an animal moving. At a glance it looked like a little pig but it turned out to be a Wolf, the little fat rabbit dog. 😂 She is on a serious diet at the moment 🙄 The dirty fat little ratbag that she is.
Twizel in April
The whole circus of rabbiting dogs, ferrets and god know what else are heading to Twizel in April 2023. We got a call about a bad rabbit problem that needs fixed but no shooting or poisoning can be done.
If you are in Twizel in the same situation get in touch and we’ll get it sorted.
Cool down
This time of year is tricky with the heat, but if you can keeping the water up to the rabbiting pack they can handle it. The heat in Central Otago can be problematic for the dogs so it pays to be careful with them.
Happy’s first day
Happy is enjoying her first day rabbiting at Lake Hayes. Her mum is Gilmore and dad is Honey, she’s named after her grandad.
Well that came around fast
It seems us rabbiters have been busy enough, the year is about smoked already and I’ve been very slack on here.
So here’s a photo of the current load of pups on the ground, and wee crackers they are too! I’m going to give this litter away because Xmas and times are tough for some. Hopefully they make some kids very happy.
They are out of Gilmore by Honey.
Hot Dogs
It seems summer is here in Central Otago, rabbiting up Arrowtown way today and the dogs are feeling it!
Questions I get
We have been using a fair bit of Pindone over the last couple of years. How often should we do this?
Pindone is best used May to end of July. On the odd year March and April can work if it’s extremely dry. The doe’s have planted young who can survive without mum by the end of July.If you are using Pindone it MUST be in bait stations unless you are licensed, and even then it must be fenced. Also you must have signage up stating that poison is in use. That’s whether it’s in bait stations or broadcast.
If you poison someones dog you are liable. Just at one vet practice in Wanaka they are having 3 to 5 poisoned dogs coming in a week! I haven’t heard what the survival rate is but if you get them to a vet in time they can give vitamin K.
I’ve also seen rat poison used. This is, well I don’t know what to say about this. So illegal and so dangerous. Secondary poison can happen with using this for years.
We haven’t got a fence, can you kill our rabbits? Why yes we can, but they will be back hours after we leave, at lesser numbers but who knows for how long.
Fencing really is very important, especially on the lifestyle type blocks OR if you have some government department for a neighbour (good luck to you, you’ll need it). These include DoC, LINZ councils both district and regional, tranzrail or is it kiwirail? I can’t keep up and no doubt a few others I’ve forgotten.
Best advise for fencing is to get the rabbiter in BEFORE you get the fencer, that way he can give you the best methods and places to fence. Maybe the fence should be up the other side of the driveway or other side of a garden.
Fences cost a lot of money so why not do it right the first time. Remember, fencers aren’t rabbiters…..
Any other questions then fire them at me and I’ll add them here.
Cheers Stephen
Rabbit season 2021
So the rabbit season for 2021 has begun and I think it’s going to be a very interesting time. First younger rabbits for the year have been got in Central Otago at least, havent heard about the rest of New Zealand yet. I think the very wet July killed quite a few young rabbits which is something at least.
I do love this wee pack for carrying the ferrets around, a mile better than the normal cat cage or box. I need to get another one just for a spare.
A few staff changes lately as the main offsider went into the army. So a new night shooter who is going well and a new day helper who is going very well, really good with both the dogs and ferrets.
We are starting to have major supply issues just like everyone else, the big problem being ammo. So far it hasnt held us up but we’ll see where that goes……
Starting to see a lot of rabbits around the place which is normal for this time of year but every year it seems to catch people out. They get all shocked with how many are around.
Kill That Rabbit 