RABBITS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1922, Page 4

RABBITS.

A TRAPPER AT WORK

IXTKRESTING PROCEEDINGS

About a nioiitli ago, the advent of ail i efficient rabbit trapper to the-Koka-j trthi district led the settlers there form- ; inn; a Rabbit Committee, and, as a re- j suit of negotiations; a supply of traps was procured, and authority was given for the trapper to commence operations with a view to reducing the number of rabbits in the district, the proposed operations being naturally welcomed by the settlers, a'majority of whom have an over-supply of these unweleomo visitors on their properties. Recently the supply of rabbit traps came to hand, and these have been handed over to the trappers, who have already commenced their operations on the farms with very successful results. In the course ol the last couple of weeks, Mr Glitching, the expert mentioned, has shown his ability to a marked extent, and he has already trapped well over 1)00 rabbits. On Saturday the writer had an opportunity of viewing the operations, and they proved very interesting. The traps (spring-jawed, like rat-traps) arc set in the vicinity of burrows, and covered with earth, the operator showing a lull knowledge of the rabbit and its methods, and working with a rapidity that is remarkable, lie set over I * >{) traps spread over a considerable area in likely spots; hul always with a view to a complete working of the ground. The haps were then left, and as darkness •wore on, and the rabbits came out ol their burrows to feed, they found themselves caught in the traps, their squealing when first caught at once notifying they were held. Their cries of dismay had one ill efleet, as though a warning had been given holders to chain up their dogs, a stray dog, at once made his way into the trapping area, and got to work among the trappad animals, killing them, and doing damage lo both skins and bodies, before. in his depredations, lie got Ids own paw into one of the traps, and made the night noisome with his howling, until the trapper could reach him and liberate him. In the early morning the traps were visited, when the catch was found to total over sixty, which would probably have been much larger had it not been for the disturbance caused hv the dog. The catch also included a domestic cat, which was promptly liberated, and several blackbirds, who paid the penalty lor their curiosity in seeking the vicinity of the fresh earth covering the traps.

Once the traps have been emptied of their victims, they aie at once set again, either in the same place, or in a now locality, ready for the next night's operations, and then the catch Inning been taken to the rendezvous a weighty load) for cleaning ami skinning, that operation is speedily carried out in a manner denoting a smartness and dexterity that only expeiience can give. As can he assumed, this takes a considerable time, even when carried out by an expert, the rabbits being skinned and cleaned ready tor sale, there being a good demand throughout the Coast lor them. The skins, by far the most valuable , port ion of the animal at the present time, have to lie dried, and llijii arc s"Ot away to the larger '''title. , where there is a steady demand loi them. Tlie ,-kius being secured al knkalahi at the present time are of a veiy good quality, and should command a good price, about seven cured skins going to the pound weight. When it is staled that the rabbits at pis sent being secured weigh about three pounds each when skinned and cleaned, some idea can he gathered of the amount of food involved, the catch lor Eridn.v and Saturday nights totalling lii4. making a very imposing display when hanging in a shed ready to he lo ought Lo tow n tor consumption.

The operations of the trapper are being closely followed hy the settlers, wlio recognise that his ellorts must, to seme extent, reduce the liuntlx'r of the ]iest. which is present ill very large nnmhers in the various holdings.

.Though the winter eat eh is the most valuable, ns the pelts command a inr larger priee, it is considered that the lu-st time for tranping as a means to the reduction of the number, is in the summer tame, when the breeding operations are in full swing, and though there is not then the ready sale for the carcases for food, as in the winter time, a proposal lias heen mooted lor the trapper to he subsidised per head to enable him to continue and so reduce the number of rabbits, which - have assumed very substantial proportions. When it is considered that twenty rabbits will cat as much grass as a cow, it can he easily gathered how serious the depredations of the post ars as affecting the returns of the dairying eoinmmii-