User:Argronvall/Rabbiting

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Hunting:

The primary environment for hunting rabbits consists of forests. This specific habitat is favored by rabbits because of the elevated and soft grounds that make for effortless burrowing and suitable dens. In the United Kingdom, ferrets can be used as hunting companions due to their "natural hunting skills". Depending on the preferred method of the hunter, ferrets can either be trained to flush out a rabbit from its burrow or to down it. In the United States, dogs are used as hunting companions due to their natural hunting abilities, as well illegality of using ferrets for hunting.

Alternatively, hunters can use specialized equipment in lieu of hunting companions. This can consist of shotguns, bolting cages, bulldog rabbiting spades, and purse-nets. As for other hunting methods, hunters can also hunt in groups. With this method, each group members relies on creating noise to trigger the rabbit's flight response. If successful, fleeing rabbit is usually killed with shotguns or captured with nets. In other instances, with a small caliber, a hunter can also down a rabbit while it remains in its burrow

Ferreting

Rabbiting is most commonly associated with ferrets due to their extensive history of being used for rabbiting. Preferences can vary for either male (hobs), or females (jills), due to their supposed strengths and weaknesses. Some believe jills are more agile and less head-strong, but physically weaker. Others believe hobs are physically stronger, but more head-strong and less agile.

Such of these preferences come down to whether a ferret may be more likely to perform a lay-up. Upon performing a lay-up, the ferret remains in the burrow and consumes the downed rabbit, usually falling asleep. Ultimately, individuals of this belief may view hobs as being more prone to performing a lay-up due to their head-strong nature. Therefore, some may prefer to use jills to decrease this likelihood. On the other hand, others may prefer to use hobs for their increased strength.

Aside from these theorized strengths and weaknesses of the hob or jill, modern-day ferreting involves technological devices. One of these is the locator collar that a ferret wears so its location can be tracked when it is within rabbit burrows. Simultaneously, the hunter uses a locator that is connected to the ferret's collar to locate the proximity of the ferret's location. The more frequent pulse of the beeps, the closer the hunter is to the precise location of the burrowed ferret. If it is discovered that the ferret has successfully caught and downed a rabbit, the hunter commonly uses a spade to dig up the ferret and caught rabbit. Alternatively, ferrets can also chase rabbits out of their burrows into purse nets or long nets

Trapping Methods

Purse Nets

One of the most commonly used nets is purse nests. These can either be made of nylon or hemp and range from small to large sizes Draping the net over the rabbit hole, the hunter then secures the net by pegging its top and bottom loops. Upon dashing into the net, the rabbit triggers its drawstring string mechanism which results in the net pulling together. Afterwards, the hunter usually dispatches the rabbit.

Regulations

United States

In the United States, rabbits are hunted during specific seasons. In most states, hunters must have licenses to legally hunt. Additionally, the use of ferrets to flush, capture, or kill rabbits from burrows is illegal. However, dogs can be used to retrieve shot rabbits, as well as flushing them from their burrows.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, rabbits can be hunted all-year around, but regulations can vary. In Jersey, a hunting license is not required by law. However, a game license is legally required in the Isle of Man, and a firearm certificate in Guernsey. Regardless of these varying regulations, within a majority of England, it is considered illegal to kill any kind of hunted game on a Sunday