The biggest factor is lots of thick cover.WILL LEFEVERS wrote: Makes sense SilverZuk, I have heard others say rabbits come in cycles, if thats true were overdue here in Bell Co. I know that our population has declined big time over the last 5 years. Used to run a rabbit anywhere you dropped on our strips, not anymore. Does seem to be alot more hawks, foxes and yotes .
We have been hunting on a strip mine and clear cuts and been very successful.
We see coyote sign (usually with rabbit fur) every where we go.
We have seen plenty of bobcat sign, and occasionally fox sign.
I have only seen a couple of hawks and zero owls.
Around my house we have far less coyote, bobcats, and foxes.
The cover isn't as thick or vast (just an few acres here and there).
One thing you do see a lot of is hawks, owls, and house cats.
I am improving some of the places I hunt by clear cutting areas, and cutting trees to keep the brush from being shaded out.
It has worked well so far. As long as the rabbits can live there life in cover, predators will not be as successful. When they have to cross open areas to feed or to go to another spot of cover is when they get eaten.