A wiley wee bugger and great fun ....although the sore neck you get isn't so fun when the hunting is over.
Introduced into Ireland about 65 years ago ,but only a pest and worthy of shooting in the past 10 years or so.He does untold damage to newly planted trees in his territory and will even attack you if he is in the right ( or wrong) state of mind !.I was attacked by one of these one day when i was unarmed ....it wasn't long until I was armed ( with a big stick ) i can tell you !He has keen eyesight and can run through trees like a race horse along a track.he loves to give Jays (a protected species in Ireland)a hard time and can be found almost anywhere now,,,,,even in housing estates.
Although the rabbit has been the quarry of hunters for years he is a resiliant wee animal ( thank god or what else would we have to shoot )
It has been subjected to some of the worst of man made diseases and has fought most of them ...although myxomitosis (maxi) and the Viral Rabbit Haemorraghic Disease (VHD)are still having their way with our little friend.Many areas where I shoot myself are now rabbit free ....and its not all down to me .
1 is the Hooded Crow ,mostly a solitary bird found throughout Ireland, and a worthy prize for the Air-gunner.2 is the Carrion crow , familiar to most and found EVERYWHERE.
3 is the wee Jackdaw another widespread advesary of air-gunners.
4.well do i need name it ? 5 is the odd one out ..DO NOT SHOOT (its protected)its a Raven now quite common in parts of Ireland never before seen in.
