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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to take a machine gun to the bunnies

56 replies

Litchick · 24/04/2009 20:13

We live in the country and are over run with the little feckers. As I sit here I can see at least ten feasting away in my back garden. There is rabbit shit everywhere. The lawn is like the surface of the moon.
Suggestions anyone. We have always been against guns but am beginning to wonder if it is the only way.

OP posts:
GentleOtter · 24/04/2009 20:15

Shoot them.

Rollmops · 24/04/2009 20:20

Rabbit stew is rather lovely!

Original poster
Litchick · 24/04/2009 20:22

It's like Watership Down out there.

OP posts:
CMOTdibbler · 24/04/2009 20:23

A Jack Russell and a ferret will do the job. Actually either will sort out your rabbit problem rather swiftly.

Or I can send my cats over. Twice now they have brought us home rabbits overnight - this week I came down to half of one in my office

Kathyis6incheshigh · 24/04/2009 20:25

I had a boyfriend from Colorado once and he told me that they had had a problem with prairie dogs so his mom used to sit on the porch with a shotgun and wait for them to poke their little heads up and then she'd blow them away.

I think an English version of that would be good. Have you got a porch?

Original poster
Litchick · 24/04/2009 20:29

I have a patio will that do?
Now I need a gun.
Um...where do you get a gun? Assuming you can't just buy one.

OP posts:
rempy · 24/04/2009 20:30

Chicken wire fence, dug down about a foot.

Kathyis6incheshigh · 24/04/2009 20:31

A gun shop?

Original poster
Litchick · 24/04/2009 20:31

Around the perimeter?

OP posts:
ElenorRigby · 24/04/2009 20:31

I live in a city and was blessed with seeing a rabbit this week doing its funky thing. So rare here, lovely.

Original poster
Litchick · 24/04/2009 20:34

Here they arrive with a picnic rug, humming Bright Eyes. They have eaten all the plants and shrubs - they've even chomped through the footie net.

OP posts:
rempy · 24/04/2009 20:38

Yep, all the way around the perimeter. Must be dug down a decent distance. It does work - a friend of mine has a rural allotment which is rabbit proof by doing this. Ugly but.

You can plant in front of it, or either side. Get some blackthorn/hawthorn/wild rose hedging, it will also keep out other intruders.

callaird · 24/04/2009 21:24

www.grazers.co.uk/

We put this stuff down 2 weeks ago, we now have new shoots coming up, nothing has been touched in days. To protect trees though, you have to spray the leaves!! Luckily we know someone with a super power washer and he (kindly) put it in there and sprayed the trees. I think it will need to be done quite regularly to protect them. We also have quite a few saplings which it seems to have worked on.

GentleOtter · 24/04/2009 22:11

Rabbits can climb a net fence, I have seen one do it.
Check the local paper for people who advertise to shoot rabbits for free.
If you know of anyone who keeps ferrets then ask them for the contents of their cages and spread this round the garden. The rabbits avoid ferret poo and scent.

Original poster
Litchick · 24/04/2009 22:14

Frankly all thse suggestions are worth a try..other than that it's hope for some sort of rabbit plague.

OP posts:
ABetaDad · 24/04/2009 22:16

Air rifle. Totally legal. Powerful torch strapped on top. Do it in the dark.

Shoot anything that is small and has eyes that shine back at you as long as it is not a cat.

Original poster
Litchick · 24/04/2009 22:21

Christ, Beta, do you freelance for te SAS?

OP posts:
Original poster
Litchick · 24/04/2009 22:21

Where would I get one? Do I need a licence?

OP posts:
Thunderduck · 24/04/2009 22:26

Contact a pest controller or a local falconer perhaps.

I'd send dp over with a hawk and ferrets if you were in my area.

Thunderduck · 24/04/2009 22:30

Or post on a shooting forum. Someone should jump at the opportunity for some sport, and they can use the meat too.

themoon66 · 24/04/2009 22:36

You should have a local terrier group who can come around. Or your local gamekeeper will have ferrets.

You can buy a 2.2 airgun legally. They will ask you if you want to shoot 'fur or feather'. There is different ammunition to kill different things you see.

GentleOtter · 24/04/2009 22:37

I got my air rifle second hand from the local fishing tackle and outdoor shop. It cost £30 and has a screwdriver head welded on for a 'sight' but does the job perfectly well (we had rats mooching around this week).
It is legal but the gun/fishing shop staff will explain the law as you have to buy from a registered dealer nowadays.

ABetaDad · 24/04/2009 22:44

No licence required.

If you want real stopping power use these in it.

Prometheus or Paragon air rifle pellets

Ask your gun shop what is best for your rifle. Different air rifles take different pellets.

Original poster
Litchick · 24/04/2009 22:47

Am seeing MN in a whole new light...to be honest I'm a displaced townie and never imagined I'd consider a gun but I'm going to get one...and a fence in case I chicken out.

OP posts:
Original poster
Litchick · 24/04/2009 22:48

Um...what do I do wiht all the dead bodies? We can't eat that much rabbit or we'll grow ears.
Can I burn???
And can I kill the pigeons ( who are also taking over the assylum) with the same gun?

OP posts: