Joe Malinowski wrote:I used to love rabbit hunting in the 70 s. There are a few rabbits around but nothing like it used to be. Nothing more fun than having a couple beagles running rabbits, I think the large number of coyotes is to blame.
I agree Joe....coyotes take some, no doubt. But also the forestry practices are not what they used to be. In the 1950's through 70s, the forest in the Northeast was basically a young, early successional growth and was surrounded by more farmland. Lots of cover, and lots of browse. Now, those forests are over 100 years old are are now in a mid-successional stage...tall trees with large canopies which shade the forst floor, providing no cover and no browse. The farms are now all developments and cul-de-sacs.
So yes, poor habitat, lack of cover, lack of food, and more coyotes all equals low rabbit populations. And this probably won't change unless states get back to the practice of clearcutting.