RVHD outbreak

[Bobtheferret 1,278]

Rabbit numbers round my way we’re looking pretty good so far this summer, lots kicking around but last week I’ve found several dead unmarked young bunnies and one that was nearly dead. Not talking massive numbers but concerning that could be a lot more I am not seeing due to high undergrowth and passing below ground. Has anyone else noticed something similar? I know the disease has been in my area last few years as I have seen and heard of this before so hopefully they don’t get wiped out.   

[The drover 1,211]

46 minutes ago, Bobtheferret said:

Rabbit numbers round my way we’re looking pretty good so far this summer, lots kicking around but last week I’ve found several dead unmarked young bunnies and one that was nearly dead. Not talking massive numbers but concerning that could be a lot more I am not seeing due to high undergrowth and passing below ground. Has anyone else noticed something similar? I know the disease has been in my area last few years as I have seen and heard of this before so hopefully they don’t get wiped out.   

Farm near me had record numbers last summer.  Virus blew through.  I've seen one on it all summer so far

[poxon 5,947]

I moved near a spot that I could walk an see 40-50 rabbits easy every night 2yr ago that was on just a basic quick walk I thought my luck was in I thought hey up looks like I’m going to be in for a excellent season about a month before the crops were due to be dropped I was finding mint condition dead rabbits laying all over the place the vhd virus hit them hard the whole area is near on wiped out just pockets of 2s an 3s if you lamp you have to but the miles down to have a half decent nights lamping no numbers have recovered there low everywhere some bits of land hold a few I’ve found a couple of spots that have a half decent number kicking about but not holding any breath that come season there still be there 

[gnipper 6,902]

I've seen 3 rabbits this week and I'm made up.

[ollieollie 766]

Same story here last 3 years, good numbers then they disappear 

[iworkwhippets 13,235]

I had an hr out this afternoon, expecting bunnies under my feet, bugger all, and I no that land like back of my hand, nowt doing, thing is, im expecting a pup in next few weeks, can I give it the work,

[Daniel cain 49,645]

Seen a few drummers yesterday, mooching with the catty, too small to kill, looked like it was their first time above ground judging by their behaviour... Nice to see

[Bobtheferret 1,278]

All fairly disappointing but not unexpectedly so, will just have to hope it’s not to bad. I know my area has had the virus before and whilst numbers did go down dramatically there was still a small but reasonable population remaining. 

[neil b 2,505]

3 hours ago, iworkwhippets said:

I had an hr out this afternoon, expecting bunnies under my feet, bugger all, and I no that land like back of my hand, nowt doing, thing is, im expecting a pup in next few weeks, can I give it the work,

What pup you getting Keith?? 

[dodger 3,594]

2 hours ago, Bobtheferret said:

All fairly disappointing but not unexpectedly so, will just have to hope it’s not to bad. I know my area has had the virus before and whilst numbers did go down dramatically there was still a small but reasonable population remaining. 

Problem is you need there to be enough to justify taking a few?

Just got to look after and manage your good spots best you can lads..

[Bobtheferret 1,278]

10 hours ago, dodger said:

Problem is you need there to be enough to justify taking a few?

Just got to look after and manage your good spots best you can lads..

Absolutely, one area I have permission on the rabbits have hit the spring barley quite hard in areas and farmer wants me to shoot them but I would rather leave them be especially with possible disease already going through them but if I don’t then he will or find someone else who will . Like you say just have to manage the spots as best you can to have some sport, keep the farmer happy but not wipe what’s left out. I feel more like a gamekeeper than a pest controller the last few seasons! I just show my face take a few for the pot but don’t really hit them hard unless they are actually causing problems. 

[poxon 5,947]

10 hours ago, dodger said:

Problem is you need there to be enough to justify taking a few?

Just got to look after and manage your good spots best you can lads..

The problem is if you don’t take any someone else will be it man or other predator never think your the only man that hunts that land it’s a never ending battle dodger once mixi an both strains of vhd virus as been through land  it don’t matter how you manage them or how carful you are I mean you can say leave one spot untouched for 2 seasons go back an find there’s still nothing hardly about. On arible land land owners will still drive land an pop them off as it’d please them to be none at all there not out for sport or taking care of there sport there out to eradicate them they don’t want them there full stop 

[poxon 5,947]

The only way I recon you can sort of help rabbits is by controlling fox numbers 1)because there a predator 2)because they carry fleas that spread mixi an both vhd viruses  from Warren to warren looking for rabbits 3) make sure your own dogs flea treatment is up to date to aid the not helping spread it from spot to spot you go

[Bobtheferret 1,278]

48 minutes ago, poxon said:

The only way I recon you can sort of help rabbits is by controlling fox numbers 1)because there a predator 2)because they carry fleas that spread mixi an both vhd viruses  from Warren to warren looking for rabbits 3) make sure your own dogs flea treatment is up to date to aid the not helping spread it from spot to spot you go

A valid and good point. Regards RVHD2 unfortunately if it’s as easily spread as scientists think then all kinds of things will spread it. Walkers, farmers, birds, horses, badgers you name it, it is apparently active in a warren (even an unoccupied one) for 6 months after an outbreak! Unlike mixi which obviously needs a flea to spread it. 

[poxon 5,947]

52 minutes ago, Bobtheferret said:

A valid and good point. Regards RVHD2 unfortunately if it’s as easily spread as scientists think then all kinds of things will spread it. Walkers, farmers, birds, horses, badgers you name it, it is apparently active in a warren (even an unoccupied one) for 6 months after an outbreak! Unlike mixi which obviously needs a flea to spread it. 

Definitely mate everything will spread it mate I’ve had a good read up on it hardcore virus people don’t realise how easy spread it is