Photoz Posted March 19, 2011 Report Share Posted March 19, 2011 I've been on this board since way y y y back when carp fishin' was to be laughed about. I think I've seen just about every topic there is, touched upon, and in the last few years, photographs to go with 'em, with the notable exception of jack rabbits? It's been 30 years since I've seen one in the wild . . . .. it used to be quite common to seen them while driving the back roads in Southern Ontario, and in many of the 'wild' areas around Toronto, such as the Don Valley, all along the Scarborough Bluffs, etc. Like their smaller cousin, the snowshoe, they made a delicious stew! Anybody out there seen a jack rabbit in the past few years . . . . or are they extinct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammercarp Posted March 19, 2011 Report Share Posted March 19, 2011 They are still here but few and far between. The last one I saw was a few years ago. I don't think the coyote was the reason for their disappearance but are the reason they will never make a come back. Same with pheasant. At one time they were so numerous around here that as a kid I got one by hitting it with a rock. They are gone too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Bob Posted March 19, 2011 Report Share Posted March 19, 2011 We have had our problems with pheasants here in WNY also....at one time I only need to drive 1/2 mile to get a limit......now that's impossible no matter how far you drive.... But as far a bunnies go.......they go in cycles and unless you hunt them you don't have a good handle on them....some years they may be abundant but you're just not seeing them from the road. They as a whole are one tough creature that know how to survive and prosper on the good years...you must of heard the say.....they multiply like rabbits...that's why there's so many of them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gbfisher Posted March 19, 2011 Report Share Posted March 19, 2011 We saw two last season while ridding a field of Ground Hogs and they didn't seem to mind watching their ground burrowing cousins disappear......pooof.....There goes anudder. There aren't a lot of them thats for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nofish4me Posted March 19, 2011 Report Share Posted March 19, 2011 (edited) " Snowshoe hare populations fluctuate cyclically about once a decadepossibly because of disease. These waning and waxing numbers greatly impact the animals that count on hares for food, particularly the lynx." - Quote from National Geographic. Now, Cottontail are different, no lack of them around here. I was out this morning and we had a 5 dog pack on the ground. The dogs tracked 3 different rabbits (had visual on 2 of them), for about an hour each. No hare in this area. Edited March 19, 2011 by nofish4me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gonduckin Posted March 19, 2011 Report Share Posted March 19, 2011 There definetly not around like they used to be, especially around the city. There are a few good pockets left though further north, you just need to know where too look. These 3 were taken from a hunt this past season, we saw 5 that day. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhioFisherman Posted March 19, 2011 Report Share Posted March 19, 2011 Some of the toughest prey animals are peoples pet cats and dogs. My outdoor cats and the neighbors barns cat were seen all the time carrying young rabbits and birds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camillj Posted March 20, 2011 Report Share Posted March 20, 2011 Funny you should ask .. heh .. was raking the front yard yesterday .. and didnt I find about 3 lbs of FRESH looking pellets in a little bush RIGHT OUTSIDE my front door !!!! I guess the little darlin sat there through most of the winter watchin us come and go .. smiling at us ... never ONCE saw the little varmint all winter .. gone for good now almost certainly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris.brock Posted March 20, 2011 Report Share Posted March 20, 2011 rabbits have always been considered a cyclic population, high breeding potential, pred/ prey? food sources? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camillj Posted March 20, 2011 Report Share Posted March 20, 2011 (edited) Of course ... forgot to mention (much to the horror of Mrs camillj) ... we saw a BIG FAT hawk in the crook of a maple about 10 feet above our deck .. right where (shall we call her 'tubbo' (misty) the cat sits on her mid-afternoon sun-bathing session .... eeeks ... me thinks misty will be sunbathing inside and mr. floppy-ears is gone to the bufetteria so to speak Edited March 20, 2011 by camillj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeeter Posted March 20, 2011 Report Share Posted March 20, 2011 You mean these little guys. pictures were taken last spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crappieperchhunter Posted March 20, 2011 Report Share Posted March 20, 2011 Saw one 2 summers ago picking Strawberries at Caza's berry farm up near Buckhorn. It is the only one I have ever seen in the wild. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outllaw Posted March 20, 2011 Report Share Posted March 20, 2011 Jack rabbits have been devastated by diseases in southwestern ontario. they are making a comeback in rodney, middlesex and kent county. essex county there still a rarity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4x4bassin Posted March 20, 2011 Report Share Posted March 20, 2011 Lot's of rabbits in my area (Northern Dufferin) Though not as many as the cottontail , jacks are around . I see them late at night hopping around the neighbourhood .Actually when you get closer to them they are not hopping but "flying" they are really quick !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hirk Posted March 20, 2011 Report Share Posted March 20, 2011 I've been on this board since way y y y back when carp fishin' was to be laughed about. I think I've seen just about every topic there is, touched upon, and in the last few years, photographs to go with 'em, with the notable exception of jack rabbits? It's been 30 years since I've seen one in the wild . . . .. it used to be quite common to seen them while driving the back roads in Southern Ontario, and in many of the 'wild' areas around Toronto, such as the Don Valley, all along the Scarborough Bluffs, etc. Like their smaller cousin, the snowshoe, they made a delicious stew! Anybody out there seen a jack rabbit in the past few years . . . . or are they extinct? I walked in a field on the south side of Rice lake 30 yrs ago and counted over 100 dead jacks in less than a 1 acre area!!!! A virus has decimated them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ch312 Posted March 20, 2011 Report Share Posted March 20, 2011 (edited) But as far a bunnies go.......they go in cycles and unless you hunt them you don't have a good handle on them.... x2 you need to be out walking fields and fence rows to have a true idea of their population. i'd say we're in the "low" part of their cycle considering i've seen a steady decline over the last few years. considering how much energy it would require to chase down a jack, i wonder how often yotes actually target adult hares? Some of the toughest prey animals are peoples pet cats and dogs. My outdoor cats and the neighbors barns cat were seen all the time carrying young rabbits and birds. and that right there is why most cats (excluding FIXED barn cats) should be kept indoors. people are so quick to blame yotes for seeing fewer small game animal and birds when it's really cats that have a bigger impact. its rather frustrating when people allow their cats to roam the wild killing as they please and it's even worse when the cats arent fixed. trying to convince cat owners that little fluffy shouldnt be killing all kinds of turkey poults, grouse, rabbit, songbirds, etc is nearly impossible. Edited March 20, 2011 by ch312 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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