Cottontail rabbits

[WV Sawmiller]

  I have been seeing cottontail rabbits (May be same one over and over but I think it is several) here lately. There were lots of rabbits and groundhogs here when we moved in 35 years ago next month but back then the place was overgrown with multi-flora roses. I spent the first couple of years here cutting and burning roses then we got a fence up and some goats who really cleared the place. Then we got some cows and finally the mule and then the horse. We got rid of the goats and cows and the horse and mule kept the place grazed down and even ate the young roses while they were young and tender.

    The mule died 3-4 years ago and the horse 18 months ago now the grass is knee high and I'm fighting the stickweeds (asters) that will cover the open areas if not cut or sprayed but the rabbits are returning. I saw my first baby rabbit here today while spraying and at least one adult rabbit is grazing around the cars in the yard and barn. I'm making some brush piles where I cut trees for saw logs and such. I think that will help provide more habitat for them and see if that helps.

[YellowHammer]

I have the same problem when we had cattle, they ate everything and no rabbits.  Now I purposefully make "Rabbitat" with tree tops, and some rabbits are returning.  

It's a hard world if you are at the bottom of the food chain.  

[WV Sawmiller]

  Lots of small brush piles strategically scattered seem to be much more effective than single huge piles. Pile them like you plan to burn them in the winter but just let them rot down. The limbs and tops from a single small to medium tree make a nice brush pile for them.

    Yesterday while I was piling the limbs from the last poplar tree I cut for saw logs I also heard a worried hen turkey up in the weeds above me. I was obviously close to her nest and she was not happy. I suspect grouse, turkey, chipmunks and groundhogs also get a lot of use from the piles.