I killed a huge brown hare

Ultimate Seduction

Unfortunately I knocked down a massive brown Hare on my way to work. It's my first time seeing a brown one, I didn't even know we had brown hares in Ireland especially this far south. Beautiful animal. He had a little tag on his ear with a number on it so obviously he was being watched. Is there any idea who tags these that I could let them know?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

The tag indicates that it had been used for Coursing in the past. It's unfortunate but the population is quite strong countrywide.

TopTec

Any idea of the reason for the tagging?



TT

junospider

They are tagged so they can be released back to the field they were caught in, the ground they know.

Half-cocked

There's a national hare survey on going. You can record your dead hare on the biodiversity centre website.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

junospider wrote: »

They are tagged so they can be released back to the field they were caught in, the ground they know.

And they are not to be used for coursing again if tagged.

Doctors room ghost

I thought all the hares in Ireland were brown with the odd white one showing up as a rare genetic thing?

crusier

Hare today gone tomorrow!

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Doctors room ghost wrote: »

I thought all the hares in Ireland were brown with the odd white one showing up as a rare genetic thing?

The native is the Irish Mountain Hare and while mountain hares often change to white in winter, the Irish sub species rarely does. The Brown Hare, is an introduced species and does not change colour anywhere.

riffmongous

Doctors room ghost wrote: »

I thought all the hares in Ireland were brown with the odd white one showing up as a rare genetic thing?

Is it not to do with them being Alpine Hare which naturally go white in colder climes?

White Clover

Hare's are one of my favourite animals. Have one here that passes through the farmyard most mornings.

Doctors room ghost

Theres a lot of superstition attached to hares. If you’re on you tube put in maddy prior the fabled hare it’s a folk song but there’s links beside it aswell where that song is featured on a documentary on hares.its worth a look just for the bit about the Easter eggs even.

TopTec

Have them running past my cottage daily on a narrow quiet lane. You can hear the patter of their leathery pads on the tarmac.


TT

Doctors room ghost

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vhdS-BBizaY
That’s the link there

James 007

crusier wrote: »

Hare today gone tomorrow!

Hare Hare!!!

Kevin Finnerty

TopTec wrote: »

Have them running past my cottage daily on a narrow quiet lane. You can hear the patter of their leathery pads on the tarmac.


TT

That I'd love to hear. Haven't seen one in years. Spent years chasing them counting sheep and cattle.

Rows Grower

Beautiful creature, especially slow cooked with red wine and garlic and served with mash.

Ultimate Seduction

Good to hear that they are plentiful, still gutted to kill him , probably more so now that he was chased for his life by dogs and got freedom again. .

I've seen plenty mountain hares they are usually big but this fella was like a kangaroo.

I hit a barn owl about 2 years ago and a deer destroyed my car a few months ago. Some luck!!

uck51js9zml2yt

Ultimate Seduction wrote: »

Good to hear that they are plentiful, still gutted to kill him , probably more so now that he was chased for his life by dogs and got freedom again. .

I've seen plenty mountain hares they are usually big but this fella was like a kangaroo.

I hit a barn owl about 2 years ago and a deer destroyed my car a few months ago. Some luck!!

Only one solution to this really...stop driving, you're proving lethal to wildlife.

Graces7

Shocking that hare coursing is still legal .. barbaric

Ultimate Seduction

Graces7 wrote: »

Shocking that hare coursing is still legal .. barbaric

It is but at least they survive and are returned. Fox hunting is the most barbaric "sport" in this country.

SlowBlowin

Love hares.

As we are high and remote, we get lots of wildlife including lots of hares running through the garden. Heres a video I took of a couple of martens feeding while a hare runs past.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxw3sV4bB1w

SB

Graces7

Ultimate Seduction wrote: »

It is but at least they survive and are returned. Fox hunting is the most barbaric "sport" in this country.

Please read this

All these are barbaric; there is no most or least. Amazed at that reaction here frankly and disappointed.

junospider

You will be more amazed and disappointed to know that I believe hare coursing is one of the main reasons hares are so plentiful and without it hare numbers would plummet.

New Home

That's hardly a justification for putting them through hell, though.

magicbastarder

junospider wrote: »

You will be more amazed and disappointed to know that I believe hare coursing is one of the main reasons hares are so plentiful and without it hare numbers would plummet.

do they breed hares specifically for hare coursing?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

magicbastarder wrote: »

do they breed hares specifically for hare coursing?

No, but many clubs manage areas to provide better Hare habitat. Interestingly a Belfast University research group found that “Irish hares are 18 times more abundant in areas managed by the Irish Coursing Club than at similar sites in the wider countryside”.

gozunda

Ultimate Seduction wrote: »

It is but at least they survive and are returned. Fox hunting is the most barbaric "sport" in this country.

Fox predating can also be 'barbaric. Foxes will kill for the hell of it. Seen it happen with wildlife and domestic poultry. I've no problem with foxes though. They are plentiful in every county in Ireland. The most common means death is either shooting or roadkill afaik.

gozunda

Jamie Eager Tanner wrote: »

No, but many clubs manage areas to provide better Hare habitat. Interestingly a Belfast University research group found that “Irish hares are 18 times more abundant in areas managed by the Irish Coursing Club than at similar sites in the wider countryside”.

This in point. Wildlife which are not managed are more likley to be under threat as there is little interest in maintaining their habitats. The grouse has all but been wiped out here due to encroachment of forestry on the mountains. In the UK where grouse is a species managed for hunting - they are a lot more plentiful. That's the way it is.

archer22

Jamie Eager Tanner wrote: »

No, but many clubs manage areas to provide better Hare habitat. Interestingly a Belfast University research group found that “Irish hares are 18 times more abundant in areas managed by the Irish Coursing Club than at similar sites in the wider countryside”.

Where are those area's "managed" for them?.
In this area Hare numbers have collapsed..and there are still netters after them for the coursing clubs.
I have NEVER seen them manage any area for Hares except pay poachers to catch them for them on private property.
I know I have found their nets on my land and they certainly had no permission to be there!

archer22

gozunda wrote: »

Fox predating can also be 'barbaric. Foxes will kill for the hell of it. Seen it happen with wildlife and domestic poultry. I've no problem with foxes though. They are plentiful in every county in Ireland. The most common means death is either shooting or roadkill afaik.

No they don't...the bulk of a Foxes diet is made up of earthworms and small rodents.

Also Fruit and Blackberries when in season.

gozunda

archer22 wrote: »

No they don't...the bulk of a Foxes diet is made up of earthworms and small rodents.

No not where there's plenty of other tasty options readily available. Foxes are opportunists and will kill more than they can eat where they find the opportunity. I've seen wild duck population wiped out here by a local foxes. Lots of foxes = not so many wild ducks anymore. Can't really blame them - I'm sure they find duck quite tasty tbh.

In cities foxes will eat out of rubbish bins despite all the small rodents and earth worms available

archer22

gozunda wrote: »

No not where there's plenty of other tasty options readily available. Foxes are opportunists and will kill more than they can eat where they find the opportunity. I've seen wild duck population wiped out here by a local foxes. Lots of foxes = not so many wild ducks anymore. Can't really blame them - I'm sure they find duck quite tasty tbh.

Have you got flying Foxes there!...I know a canal near the local village and there are about fifty Ducks in it that people feed...and lots of Foxes around there as well.
Only time a few were killed was by a large male Mink.

archer22

gozunda wrote: »

No not where there's plenty of other tasty options readily available. Foxes are opportunists and will kill more than they can eat where they find the opportunity. I've seen wild duck population wiped out here by a local foxes. Lots of foxes = not so many wild ducks anymore. Can't really blame them - I'm sure they find duck quite tasty tbh.

In cities foxes will eat out of rubbish bins despite all the small rodents and earth worms available

They kill thousands of Rats in cities..Foxes have been filmed leaping into dustbins and coming out with Rats.

In Paris they killed all the urban Foxes because of a Rabies fear...and the city ended up with a plague of Rats as a result

gozunda

archer22 wrote: »

Have you got flying Foxes there!...I know a canal near the local village and there are about fifty Ducks in it that people feed...and lots of Foxes around there as well.
Only time a few were killed was by a large male Mink.

Nope large pond in field below the house. Excellent view with binoculars. Foxes are crafty buggers and will lie low waiting for an opportunity. Years ago had a farm cat taken from the yard by a big dog fox. Can never understand why some think foxes are nearly vegan pacifists lol ...

gozunda

archer22 wrote: »

They kill thousands of Rats in cities..Foxes have been filmed leaping into dustbins and coming out with Rats. In Paris they killed all the urban Foxes because of a Rabies fear...and the city ended up with a plague of Rats as a result

They still eat rubbish and fast food. That's what's makes them good opportunists. It's not that hard to understand really.


A UK study shows percentage of types of food eaten by urban foxes with scavenged meat and other scavenged foodstuffs making up the biggest share of their diet

Foxes are omnivorous, i.e. they will eat anything. Their diet depends on the food available in the area where they live. In Bristol, London and Oxford the largest component of their diet is scavenged items such as meat, bones, bread and bird food. Wild mammals, birds and invertebrates are also common.

archer22

gozunda wrote: »

They still eat rubbish and fast food. That's what's makes them good opportunists. It's not that hard to understand really.

So what if they do also eat rubbish and fast food, does that not help keep the place clean and mean less food to nurture Rats and Mice.

SlowBlowin

On the mountains in Kerry by far the biggest predator of lambs are the hooded crows.

I have filmed hoodies attacking lambs, stoats and hare. A few years back I had a bad bike accident on the mountain and made it back home but I had lots of blood on my hands and legs, I sat down on a rock to rest and 2 hoodies landed 6 ft in front of me and just stared at me, I felt their presence.

I do see a lot of foxes, but they seem quite timid round here (in comparison).

SB

New Home

gozunda wrote: »

Can never understand why some think foxes are nearly vegan pacifists lol ...

They definitely aren't, but they aren't evil monsters out of a horror movie, either.



And going back to fox hunting, it's cruelty in its purest form and cannot and should not be excused at all.

Ultimate Seduction

gozunda wrote: »

Fox predating can also be 'barbaric. Foxes will kill for the hell of it. Seen it happen with wildlife and domestic poultry. I've no problem with foxes though. They are plentiful in every county in Ireland. The most common means death is either shooting or roadkill afaik.

I've no problem with the animals being shot if they are a pest. It's the pack of dogs tearing it to shreads I have a problem with.

gozunda

New Home wrote: »

They definitely aren't, but they aren't evil monsters out of a horror movie, either.And going back to fox hunting, it's cruelty in its purest form and cannot and should not be excused at all.

Foxes remain opportunistic predators. Who saying they are 'evil monsters' btw? But thats not excusing anything either. But fox populations do sometimes do need to be controlled. But if it's done - it needs done properly. I don't like seeing any animal suffer or wander off to die slowly. In the UK foxes are now largely killed by shooting or pest control companies.

gozunda

Ultimate Seduction wrote: »

I've no problem with the animals being shot if they are a pest. It's the pack of dogs tearing it to shreads I have a problem with.

As long as they are shot properly. Crawling away to die ain't a good way to go.

Kevin Finnerty

SlowBlowin wrote: »

On the mountains in Kerry by far the biggest predator of lambs are the hooded crows.

I have filmed hoodies attacking lambs, stoats and hare. A few years back I had a bad bike accident on the mountain and made it back home but I had lots of blood on my hands and legs, I sat down on a rock to rest and 2 hoodies landed 6 ft in front of me and just stared at me, I felt their presence.

I do see a lot of foxes, but they seem quite timid round here (in comparison).

SB

They're vulture like. First thing they go for is the eyes. Never seen them kill. Do they?

Birdnuts

Don't worry about foxes folks, their population is at an all time high. I'm reading "Whittled Away" atm and in it states that the fox pop in this country is at least 10 times its normal density due to the lack of top predators like wolves,eagles, Lynx etc.

archer22

Birdnuts wrote: »

Don't worry about foxes folks, their population is at an all time high. I'm reading "Whittled Away" atm and in it states that the fox pop in this country is at least 10 times its normal density due to the lack of top predators like wolves,eagles, Lynx etc.

Thats mostly a result of Foxes having moved into urban areas although I doubt the 10 times "normal density" would be correct unless that density was abnormally low due to the senseless persecution that previously used to take place.

Birdnuts

archer22 wrote: »

Thats mostly a result of Foxes having moved into urban areas although I doubt the 10 times "normal density" would be correct unless that density was abnormally low due to the senseless persecution that previously used to take place.

Well it is a fact that fox populations are alot lower in countries with top predators. During the early 1600's Ireland had an estimated 2000 wolves and an equally good pop of Golden eagles. Both species would dramatically reduce fox numbers from the current estimated 100k. As it is the few pairs of Goldies in Donegal prey heavily on fox cubs in season. Another example is the sharp fall in coyote numbers when wolves returned to Yellowstone NP in the US.

gozunda

archer22 wrote: »

Thats mostly a result of Foxes having moved into urban areas although I doubt the 10 times "normal density" would be correct unless that density was abnormally low due to the senseless persecution that previously used to take place.

No the fox population in rural areas is very healthy and has been like that over decades -
This 'despite (wild) fox pelts being exported in the 1970s and 1980s without any apparent effect on the population size' (source: Duchas)

In adjacent areas there has been a noticible increase in the number of foxes over the last couple of years to the point that areas which previously had lots of rabbits - now have a lot less with no sign of disease being responsible.

This compares well to the UK where recent increases in the practice of shooting has led to a noted decline in the rural fox population there. This has been attributed to what Srameen detailed regarding hares. Whether anyone likes it or otherwise - the local fox population level in the UK was previously maintained by traditional methods by land owners. Now that's gone - foxes are being shot in increasing numbers. Something of a dilemma tbh.

archer22

gozunda wrote: »

No the fox population in rural areas is very healthy and has been like that over decades -
This 'despite (wild) fox pelts being exported in the 1970s and 1980s without any apparent effect on the population size' (source: Duchas)

In adjacent areas there has been a noticible increase in the number of foxes over the last couple of years to the point that areas which previously had lots of rabbits - now have a lot less with no sign of disease being responsible.

This compares well to the UK where recent increases in the practice of shooting has led to a noted decline in the rural fox population there. This has been attributed to what Srameen detailed regarding hares. Whether anyone likes it or otherwise - the local fox population level in the UK was previously maintained by traditional methods by land owners. Now that's gone - foxes are being shot in increasing numbers. Something of a dilemma tbh.

So in other words Foxes keep a healthy balance in nature.

gozunda

archer22 wrote: »

So in other words Foxes keep a healthy balance in nature.

Well if you mean that there are bugger all rabbits whatsover - erh I suppose so :pac:

Land here is generally too wet for rabbits (heavy clay soil) But neighbours in drier spots would have always taken a few for the pot might not agree with you.

Problem is that the fox population will eventually crash due to lack of predators as detailed above. Thin mangy foxes is not a good outcome tbh.

archer22

gozunda wrote: »

Well if you mean that there are bugger all rabbits whatsover - erh I suppose so :pac:

Land here is generally too wet for rabbits (heavy clay soil) But neighbours in drier spots would have always taken a few for the pot might not agree with you.

Problem is that the fox population will eventually crash due to lack of predators as detailed above. Thin mangy foxes is not a good outcome tbh.

And where did that ever happen?...never ever seen an overpopulation of Foxes.

Except in Australia where they were introduced by Fox Hunters into an alien environment and caused an ecological disaster.

Or to be more precise Fox hunters caused an ecological disaster!!

gozunda

archer22 wrote: »

And where did that ever happen?...never ever seen an overpopulation of Foxes.Except in Australia where they were introduced by Fox Hunters into an alien environment and caused an ecological disaster.Or to be more precise Fox hunters caused an ecological disaster!!

You seem to doubt a lot there tbh. Yup fox population in my experience is way up on previous years. More dead dead foxes on roads sign of this as well. Explanation=very good feeding the last few years. Trouble is that what goes up must come down as there where food becomes scarce. That's when populations crash. Boom and bust if you like.

I know little about Australia - other than what I've read that theres lots of ecological problems from many introduced species including rabbits which were introduced by settlers. I read somewhere that they also brought in foxes to try and curb the rabbits - but as they were non native species - things quickly got out of hand. Don't think you can blame the fox hunters on the rabbits running totally rampant tbh. Then they introduced myxomatosis and then brought that back here to eradicate rabbits. Prior to that I remember when rabbit was a major part of many people's diet in country areas.

It's perhaps ironic that fox numbers here have always been good and thats allowing for traditional hunting methods which noticibly tended to only remove those animals which caused problems. That seems to be changing unfortunately .