Catching rabbits humanely?

[nichiren-123]

So I want to start catching my own meat when I go out to the woods.
I want to use traps which I can make myself in the field but also be legal, and just as importantly - humane.

So what do you guys think I should do?

 

[Janne]

Learn to shoot.

No trp gives an instant death every time.

 

[nichiren-123]

I was looking at trapping methods on here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rabbits-how-to-control-numbers#catch-with-traps-and-snares

The main methods for traps are shown as box/cage traps.
Surely these are humane? I just don't know how to build one in the field...

 

[Janne]

Trapping an animal in a cage, then letting it sit there for hours, then taking it out -extremely stressful for it.
Then of course you have to kill it.

 

[Macaroon]

Where does the humane part end? Is it as you approach the cage/trap, reach inside to get the animal out and traumatise it whilst doing so? Or when you hold it up to deliver the coupe de grace?

There's nothing as quick and humane as a clean shot, and in any case learning to trap efficiently requires more time and effort than you'd imagine. Not to mention permission to be where you'd be doing the trapping, and in my experience folk are much more likely to allow you on their ground with an air rifle than with traps. An air rifle will also allow you to "earn your keep" with a bit of vermin control, rats etc.

 

[nichiren-123]

Ok, so you've convinced me that shooting is the way to go.
Next question: what gun to get?

 

[mikehill]

Join a local air gun club and learn to shoot with a club gun. That way you'll save hundreds by buying the right outfit ;-)

 

[fenix]

I have been hunting rabbits for about 30 years, I have tried most legal methods, my Dad was a bow hunter before they banned it and taught me ferretting, shooting, netting, snares. I also did a couple of trials with a bloke doing long netting.

Out of the various methods of rabbit control I have used the least inhumane have been ferreting and shooting. When they go wrong (which they will at some point), you have an injured animal, at least with ferreting you can kill it quickly once you have your hands on it. Shooting, if your lucky you will recover it , if your unlucky it will end up lost and slowly dying. Its not nice, but its what happens when you eat meat.

Netting on the other hand can be good but takes a lot of kit, and ideally you need a dog and a couple of people.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGyITPg0I_A
Can be done at night and you walk the field in.

I think snares are pretty misunderstood, check frequently, and carefully they are humane. Rabbits tend not to struggle once in a snare, its not designed to kill only hold. When you collect you need to be proficient and killing them, I prefer the stretch technique to using a priest.

To be brutally honest I have seen more badly shot animals than injured through any other form of hunting. If your shooting rabbits at some point you will mess up a shot and have to sort it out. On the flip side the positives of a unfarmed life and the high number of clean kills off set it for me. Have you ever hunted? Might be worth trying a days rabbit control with somebody if possible. Don't go out and buy an air rifle, you need to be fully clued up on safety and the legalities, then learn to shoot, then learn to hunt. Personally its worth it for me, just don't go in to it with rose tinted glasses,

 

[Janne]

Not everybody can take a fluffy animal with large eyes and kill it with his hands.

Even shooting, you might have to do that.
The proposal to go with somebody first and try it out is a good one.

 

[Robson Valley]

Join a club and learn to shoot. Lear what sort of gun is best for your circumstance.
There isn't much thrill in snaring then beating their heads in with a hammer.
The flesh splatter from the impacts will mess your clothing.

Snare wire is your worst case scenario.

 

[Janne]

Snares are cruel. Cuts off their feet as a worst case scenario.

 

[fenix]

Snares are cruel. Cuts off their feet as a worst case scenario.

That's not how they are used on rabbits. They are set at a height to catch the head, when the rabbit is caught they tend to stay put (same as rabbits caught in lamp). When picked up and despatched they do not show signs of neck damage. As to whacking them on head with a club, did you read my post, just about everybody involved in rabbit control stretches them to break the neck.

 

[Janne]

That's not how they are used on rabbits. They are set at a height to catch the head, when the rabbit is caught they tend to stay put (same as rabbits caught in lamp). When picked up and despatched they do not show signs of neck damage. As to whacking them on head with a club, did you read my post, just about everybody involved in rabbit control stretches them to break the neck.

So 100% are cought around the neck?
I can imagine the fear they feel, sitting and unable to move, then seeing a human approaching them, picking them up then the moments before the neck is broken.

A bullet is more humane, if done properly.
I used to hunt, yes, bad shots sometimes. Those I remember. Dispatching a deer that looks into your eyes can turn anybody Vegan.
Hearing a badly shot hare scream is no fun either.
I am semi vegan these days. I try to be an ethical semi carnivore.

 

[Snake]

So 100% are cought around the neck?
I can imagine the fear they feel, sitting and unable to move, then seeing a human approaching them, picking them up then the moments before the neck is broken.

A bullet is more humane, if done properly.
I used to hunt, yes, bad shots sometimes. Those I remember. Dispatching a deer that looks into your eyes can turn anybody Vegan.
Hearing a badly shot hare scream is no fun either.
I am semi vegan these days. I try to be an ethical semi carnivore.

Compleatly off subject, but I like reading posts like this, I normally don't have any time for anyone that says they are vegan, they live in a fantasy world and have on idea what they are on about, but this post makes me think you have you have been there finishing off an animal, and have decided you did not wish to take part in that lifestyle anymore.

 

[Snake]

Back on subject, and back to the op, try to find someone local to you and spend some time with them shooting/trapping your chosen quarry species, and then dispatching it and preparing it for the table, there are a lot of people that think it is easy, but it is not until someone see's and experiences the transition from cute fluffy animal to food that they really put the too together, and decide that they do not wish to take part, in the earlier stages of food production.

I will also add yes it is good advise to join an air rifle club to get a feel for the guns, but there is a difference between shooting paper targets and living animals, it does not matter if you mess up on the paper. talk to any one who shoots and weather they admit it or not the shots they mess up will stick in memory more than the ones that go to plan.

 

[Janne]

You read my post wrongly. I am not a Vegan.

My main point was and is - use a killing method that kills instantly.
Yes, sometimes shooting is not instant. Dispaching a wounded animal is not nice.


The huge benefit of harvesing an animal yourself is that you know exactly what you eat.
Game is usually much healthier meat than any other.

Another benefit is you get out into nature....

 

[nobby8126]

I do trap, shoot and ferret for rabbits. I wouldn't say that humane traps are overly humane. air rifle is defo imo the most humane as long as you are ethical with your shooting and pellet placement. Personally I wont take the shot unless I'm certain of a kill shot (I'm not claiming 100% success btw) as it eliminates the hopeful shots that end in your quarry suffering. Also I will not let anyone with me shoot live quarry unless they can achieve a minimum of a 2p grouping at 30yds and insist on head shots. Ferreting produces big bags and generally is humane as majority will run from the smell alone or the nips to the back legs, there are times that a rabbit is in a stop end and then you need to get to it quick. Humane traps are indiscriminent and badgers/cats and other animals can find their way in also time taken to retrieve quarry isn't ideal. Snares are something I avoid as the only way they catch is inflicting suffering,Once again my own choice and no judgement on anyone who does,.
longnetting can produce good bags but is a real skill but great fun and of all probably the most humane along with lamping with hounds as they are either caught or not and a well trained pooch will deliver to hand undamaged.

 

[Nice65]

Ok, so you've convinced me that shooting is the way to go.
Next question: what gun to get?

Look to Weihrauch. They've had an excellent reputation for many years and cater for all budgets.

 

[Janne]

I am partial to FX.
Yes, Weihrauch do make excellent guns too.

Nichiren, what caliber are you thinking of, .17 or .22?

 

[Robson Valley]

Is your gun of choice capable of killing the rabbit with the first cold shot?
No armchair guessing allowed.