NEW METHOD OF NETTING RABBITS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2928, 27 April 1910, Page 7

NEW METHOD OF NETTING RABBITS.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald a new method l of catching rabbits has been tried on the south coast, and apparently been very successful. It is at least highly spoken of by some landholders who have witnessed demonstrations. The method consists in using nets made of flax cotton or hemp, specially cured, and has been intrq duoed by Mr O. O. Bullock, a Government surveyor. Three different kinds of nets ar<; used, termed "pocketing,' "nosing," and. "simplex" traps. The pocketing net is so made and set up that when the rabbits run or are driven they become entangled, and cannot get out. It is made in lengths cf 50 yards, weighs about 71b, and it ; 3 claimed can be set in five minutes, and has a catching power of at least 250 rabbits.! The principal way of catching by this method is to intercept the rabbits between their habitat and feeding grounds, by drives, and by surrounding burrows and usi.ng ferrets. Ferreting in conjunction with the net is considered one of the beet of methods. The nosing net can be. set rigid, and is intended for wings in lieu of wire-netting in rabbit or hare drives, and may be used for directing rabbits to ,pitt traps or netted fences, to permanent or temporary yards, or to pocketing nets. Both these nets are supported by hoop steel pickets, "and forked pieces of fencing wire are used to keep the bottom line on tfr-3 ground. The simplex trap is a light contrivance, which allows a continuous stream of rabbits to pass through it, but not to return, .and is intended for permanent yards, for temporary yards when, driving, and to allow rabbits to leave a netted area. The inventor claims that the method has proved its efficacy, and we understand that it is now being brought under the notice of Dr TidsweU .ind the Rabbit Destruction Committee. Providing it works effectively, the method has the advantage of not damaging th* carcase where it is intended to use the .rabbits for food.