Rabbit Hunting Harvest Data

[sebastian]

Just killing some time on the njf&w website, and clicked on the harvest summary for small game. Quite compelling numbers, and it looks like the population of rabbits may be on the rise.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/small_gameharv_summary.pdf

I find it amazing that almost half a MILLION bunnies were killed in 85-86, and it was down to 8% of that number 20 years later. I wasn't hunting in 85-86, but that proves that all those old timers talking about the "good old days" aren't BS-ing!

[Setterman]

Studies have shown that when the rabbit population is up, so too are the grouse numbers. Predators choose the rabbit as easier prey over the grouse which is one logic. The past couple of years the grouse numbers seem to support that theory as there are many grouse to be found in PA and NY. I've even seen a few in NJ this year, and it's been a while since I've seen them around. Go to NY's DEC website and view the data they've compiled from hunter recordings for grouse:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9351.html

[njbowhunter]

Where do they get the numbers from. Is that just a guess. I have never checked in any rabbits.