Steve Maxwell has got both rabbits and Pittwater mayor in a stew
RESIDENTS say hunting rabbits with a bow and arrow is an acceptable way to control the “feral pests” on the peninsula.
The community has come out in support of the “bunny slayer”, Steve Maxwell, with at least one resident calling on the experienced hunter to kill rabbits on their property.
Mr Maxwell took the rabbit plague into his own hands, shooting rabbits on private properties in Warriewood with a bow and arrow.
He made a video, titled Bunny Slayer, and posted it on YouTube. The footage included slow-motion replays on rabbits being hit and his children holding weapons and rabbit carcasses.
RELATED NEWS: Rabbit Rambo leads one-man war against bunny plague

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Dog lovers drop bait for rabbit shooters

Local dog club president Lorna Miller says authorities should shoot feral rabbits, rather than bait them. Picture: VIRGINIA YOUNG

THE peninsula’s top dog training club president, Lorna Miller, has thrown her support behind more rabbit shooting to control feral rabbit populations, rather than baiting with poison.

The Manly and District Kennel and Dog Training Club president said rabbit baiting greatly reduced the number of parks available to exercise dogs.

“It’s frustrating for dogs and frustrating for us dog owners - baiting means yet another place we can’t take our dogs for six weeks, sometimes longer,” she said.

“Shooting is a more humane and faster method that allows access to dogs and their owners, which is a better answer.”

A Pittwater Council spokeswoman said since 2009 trained marksmen had done culling twice a year between midnight and 4am in open spaces such as Avalon Golf Course and Pittwater Rugby Park.

“Culling of feral rabbits by shooting is only undertaken under strict controls relating to public safety and is generally unsuitable for residential areas where other methods are used,” she said.

In Warringah, between 50 to 100 feral rabbits a month have been culled since 2008, although locations cannot be made public, according to a council spokesman.

“Culling does not take place in residential areas and is done outside high traffic, social times to minimise any impact on the community.”

Dog owner Diane Campbell from Scotland Island said she was happy with the current level of rabbit baiting.

“There are many other parks you can go to,” she said.

REASON TO TAKE AIM
The Manly and District Kennel and Dog Training Club president says more rabbit shooting should take place rather than baiting
Rabbit bait means parks and reserves can be closed to dogs for six to seven weeks
Baiting began on March 7 and 20 at Manly Dam, Middle Creek and Garigal National Park, with the council reserves closed to dogs until Sunday, April 17
In Pittwater, baiting occurred in 44 parks, reserves and other areas in Pittwater from February 14 to April 8

Is shooting feral rabbits a better method than baiting? Comment on the article here.

Worst rabbit plague since 1995 could spiral out of control

IT'S the worst rabbit plague in Australia since the 1995 release of the calicivirus from Wardang Island.

And it's threatening much of the good work in eradicating the nation's most costly animal pest.

Authorities have blamed a reduced focus on controlling the rabbit pest and immunity to calicivirus for the growing problem, which costs the nation an estimated $200 million a year.

Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia chairman Nicholas Newland said a failure to recognise the extent of the emerging issue was exacerbating the problem.

Read more here.

Easter Bunny Hunt 2011: 23,000 Rabbits Killed In New Zealand

While some families were enjoying a nice meal together, or perhaps a peaceful church service, hunters in New Zealand killed over 23,000 bunnies over Easter weekend, NewsCore reports.

The 2011 Great Easter Bunny Hunt on New Zealand's South Island is billed as a charity event that rids farmland of an invasive pest, but some animal welfare groups see the event in an entirely different light.

Read more here and vote this a barbaric and cruel act in the poll.

Animals Australia: Wildlife under threat from shooters in NSW

Under the new NSW Government, animals living in the wild may be under increased threat. The Government needs the backing of crossbenchers like the Shooters and Fishers party to ensure the passage of bills in the Upper House, and this party has some very disturbing issues on its 'wish list'.

Not only does the Shooters and Fishers party want a stop on establishing new national parks and marine parks -- it also wants to overturn the ban on duck shooting in NSW. And the list continues; the party wants hunters to be allowed to shoot introduced animals in NSW national parks, private hunting reserves to be created, and to introduce shooting as an approved school 'sport'! These demands not only put many animals' lives in immediate danger, it will also cost NSW tax payers millions of dollars in funding these cruel hobbies.


Some early signs indicate the O'Farrell Government may cave in to some of these demands. The new Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, has already suggested that she would allow more fishing in some marine park areas.


It is critical in this early stage of the new Government's term to ensure that they realise that people want animals protected from cruelty, including the unnecessary suffering caused by hunting. Please help urge the NSW Government to uphold and increase the protection of animals in the wild.


TAKE ACTION, here.