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CONSTRUCTION:
To be "effective
and resistant" to the elements, I recommend using treated lumber. Keep in mind that using "green" treated lumber will limit
your ability to catch rabbits the first year somewhat. However; by the following season all traces of the chemicals used during
processing should be gone and your odds of success will increase as the box continues to weather from year to year.
The
most critical parts of building a box is the height of the opening{at least 4 inches} and a free falling door. Remember that
your trap will be exposed to numerous weather changes which will cause the wood to swell and contract from moisture, so allow
enough room for expansion in the door and track area to insure a crisp, quick fall. Be sure to position the trigger notch
so that it rest on the front of the hole going down through the top of the box. Adjust the trigger sensitivity by allowing
just enough to hold the door in the open position. If you are finding that the birds which land on the dowel rod are causing
the door to trip,sensitivity is perfect.
BOX PLACEMENT:
Rabbits live in areas that provide good escape
cover,ie..brush piles, briar patches and thick fence rows. They also prefer areas with low cut grass boarding feild edges.
In order to catch rabbits consistently, boxes must be placed on or along runs or trails made by rabbits using these areas.
Always look for rabbit droppings in the immediate vicinity, and also look for nawings on the base of soft woody shrubs around
the area before committing to box placement.
SCENT CONTROL:
Scent control can play a large part in
the overall success of trapping rabbits. They are not as suspicious as the fox, or the coyote, however; human scent must be
kept to a minimun. Prior to setting out any newly constructed boxes, I suggest burning the inside of the box to destroy any
traces of the chemicals used during pressure treating. I perfer to use pines needles as they burn easily and produce a good
amount of smoke.{Note:repeat this process any time you trap anything other than a rabbit: such as an oppusum, or your neighbors
house cat!} Leave any rabbit droppings in the box after removing your catch, as this helps to convince the bunny
that it is safe to go inside. Always use gloves when handling your boxes to futher eliminate human scent.
BAIT:
Lots of different baits have been used over the years such as carrots, lettuce,cabbage leaves and even onions.
I perfer to use the red delicisous apple due to its strong sweet smell. A quarter piece is usually enough to lure the bunny
into your box. Be sure to change your bait at least once a week to keep it smelling fresh. As a bonus, use concentrated apple
juice in a spray bottle to wet the inside and the door area of the box. I also like to mist the ground directly in front of
the box as I am exiting the area.
RESPONSIBILITY:
I implore you to check your traps every day, twice
a day if you have the oppurtunity. {Late-morning and late-evening} as it is possible to catch two rabbits the same day out
of the same box! We must be good stewards of our natural resourses and not waste such a delicious meal because we were too
lazy to visit our boxes. More imprortantly, have fun and enjoy a past-time that many of our parents and grandparents experienced
many years before us!
B.Stallings 2-01-01
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