Gaining Permission

Golf courses & plant nurseries nearly always have rabbit problems,

If you are going to approach these places, pick a time when they are not busy, or you will just get brushed aside with a 'No thanks'

Then when you try again, you will get a 'I told you before, no'

Phoning & asking to meet the Head Green keeper is a good way to get his un-divided attention

(it also shows you have manners, consideration for his job, and you mean business, even if it is for free)

Turn up smart, but casual (look clean & tidy, but as if you know your way round the countryside) not in Camouflage

Don't go to the meeting with your equipment, but possibly have it in the car (if you have one) in case he lets you get straight on with the job.

Ask questions, and plenty of them, and possibly ask for a wander round the land/golf course with him, so you can explain the methods you would use in the different areas.

When he asks questions, be straight to the point (show him you know what you're on about)

When you have gained permission, use it & don't abuse it, or you will lose it, and your name will be mud.

I either phone, or see the land owner before starting to hunt, unless I've been given permission to just turn up when I want.

Do a proficient job, and your name will be gold to other landowners in the area.

Once you have permission, it's easier to gain the adjoining properties, and spread out that way.

(It's just getting your first patch in an area, that can prove awkward).

Print yourself some business cards, & leave them with the landowner when you ask for permission

(don't post them through letterboxes, or they will usually get binned, because they want to put a face to the name on the card).

Put some of the cards in 'farmer-type' pubs (ask to leave a couple at the bar), village Post Offices, Newsagents, etc. Most let you do it for free.

Land-owners are your quarry, so put the cards where you'd expect them to go.

You need to get your face known in the areas you are targeting, no-one likes a stranger.

(Mowing time is a good time to lend a hand for an hour or 2. But don't forget, too much time spent helping out on land with no rabbits, is pretty pointless, unless they know someone with a rabbit problem).

Other places to try:

• camp sites (when they're closed for Winter)

• crop farms (usually a healthy rabbit population under almost every hedgerow)

• stables & paddocks (no-one wants the horses to put a foot down a rabbit hole)

• cattle farms (same reason as horses)

• sheep farms (apparently 6 rabbits eat as much grass as 1 sheep)

Other tips:

• Make sure your dog is stock friendly

• Do not be surprised if the farmer asks if you have insurance (available via membership of the BASC or CA).

• Offer to share your catch with the landowner (the gesture is usually refused, but it shows your gratitude)

Cheshire

Mobberly

100

2004

Lancashire

Whitechapel

20

2004

North Yorkshire

Gargrave

20

2004

Malham

300

1999

South Yorkshire

Tickhill

2

2004

West Yorkshire

Brighouse

130

2002

Dewsbury

180

2004

Drighlington

180

2004

Esholt

130

2004

Hubberton

80

2004

Midgley

60

2007

Mixenden

300

1997

Moor End

50

1999

Mount Tabor

300

2006

Mytholmroyd

65

2006

Mytholmroyd

20

2007

Norwood Green

20

2004

Ogden

1200

1998

Old Town

130

1988

Shelf

280

2001

Southowram

10

2001

Tong

400

2004

Wheatley

250

1996

Yeadon

400

2004

Total Approx. 4627

KEY

These areas include:

• golf courses

• farms

• moorland

• plant nurseries

• plantations

• private gardens

• quarries

• riding schools

• small holdings

• woodland

If I'm not in your area try HERE for someone who is!

Bird Pest Species

The following eleven bird pest species may be killed or taken by authorised persons at any time under annual open and general licences issued by the Department of the Environment. No individual has to apply for a licence:

Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Rook, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove, Herring Gull, Jay, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull

Protected in Northern Ireland

Mammals Recognised as Pests

The following mammals can be controlled by legally approved methods all year round:

Fox, Rat, Mice, Rabbit, Grey Squirrel, Mink, Weasel, Stoat, Feral Cat

All species except Dormice

E-mail Or Print & Post Permission Form

About The Rabbit And Allowed Control Methods

About Cage Trapping Rabbits

The Law On Rabbit Control

About The Grey Squirrel