Australia and Rabbits

minktrapper

Anybody here ever hunt rabbits in Australia/Tasmania.

Bogwoppit

Quite a few, not much different to here really.

BattleCorp

I stayed in a hotel on a beach in Philip Island for a couple of nights. It's not too far away from Melbourne. You'll think I am sh1tting you but I almost got afraid parking the car at night there were so many rabbits. You couldn't see the ground, there were so many of the fcukers. Seriously, if I threw a stone up in the air, it would have landed on a rabbit.

Didn't get to shoot any though, but if I had 100 bullets, I probably would have shot more than 100 rabbits.

I forgot to say, as there is a fairy penguin colony on Philip Island, the authorities go overboard killing foxes as a fox would wipe out a colony of penguins in no time. Maybe that's why there are so many rabbits.

Birdnuts

The videos of those rabbit plagues in parts of QZ are an eye-opener!!

minktrapper

I thought that the place was supposed to be stirring with them.

Bogwoppit

minktrapper wrote: »

I thought that the place was supposed to be stirring with them.

There are quite a few yes.

Traumadoc

When I was there 12 years ago South Australia, did not see many , only shot one , shot far more goats ( 70+) , No foxes in Tasmania so probably overrun there.

minktrapper

It seems that they have released RHDV1 K5 last February. A new virus to knock them.

minktrapper

They should have rabbit hunting holidays.

Dai John

Been to Philip Island to see the penquins, quite something, they don't tell you to watch out for the snakes, a few of them around too.

BattleCorp

Dai John wrote: »

Been to Philip Island to see the penquins, quite something, they don't tell you to watch out for the snakes, a few of them around too.

The seagulls are fairly aggressive too. I've seen them whip food out of a person's hand as they were just about to put it into their mouth.

wexfordman2

BattleCorp wrote: »

I stayed in a hotel on a beach in Philip Island for a couple of nights. It's not too far away from Melbourne. You'll think I am sh1tting you but I almost got afraid parking the car at night there were so many rabbits. You couldn't see the ground, there were so many of the fcukers. Seriously, if I threw a stone up in the air, it would have landed on a rabbit.

Didn't get to shoot any though, but if I had 100 bullets, I probably would have shot more than 100 rabbits.

I forgot to say, as there is a fairy penguin colony on Philip Island, the authorities go overboard killing foxes as a fox would wipe out a colony of penguins in no time. Maybe that's why there are so many rabbits.

Camped out on the saltee islands off Wexford when in was a young fella, riddled with rabbits. If you walked around in your bare feet you'd have to stop and spread your toes every few steps to clear the droppings :-) and your tent was full of em. You'd clear out the tent at night only into find more in the morning, like the feckers snook in on you.

Never bring cocoa pops camping on the saltees either, hard to distinguish :-)

minktrapper

How easy/hard is it to get the use of a rifle and hunting permission in Australia.

Traumadoc

Getting a licence is much like the procedure here, although much, much more efficient.

You need good reason , e.g. target shooting, hunting.

Hunting requires you to be certified, you have to do a course.

once you have good reason, you apply for a firearms license , it takes about 6-12 weeks, it depends , but it is transparent https://www.police.sa.gov.au/services-and-events/firearms-and-weapons/apply-for-a-firearms-licence

Once you have that you can purchase a firearm, once you purchase the firearm, it takes about 6 weeks for "permission to acquire".

Once you pick up your firearm, you have to register it with your local police station.


As for hunting, you need permission- this can be difficult, I joined a hunting and conservation group where we culled goats on national park lands.
I was also able to hunt at the shooting range as they had about 1000 acres.

Mach Two

Would it be possible to hire a rifle or borrow.

Traumadoc

Mach Two wrote: »

Would it be possible to hire a rifle or borrow.

You must have a license.

https://www.police.sa.gov.au/services-and-events/firearms-and-weapons/loan-or-borrow-a-firearm

minktrapper

I suppose an Irish licence would hardly suffice.

minktrapper

I suppose an Irish licence would hardly suffice.

Traumadoc

No, the license in ireland is for the firearm, in Australia the shooter is licensed.