University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln The aH ndbook: Prevention and Control of Wildlife Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for Damage

1-1-1994 JACKRABBITS AND OTHER HARES James E. Knight Extension Wildlife Specialist, Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717

Knight, James E., "JACKRABBITS AND OTHER HARES" (1994). The Handbook: Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage. Paper 54. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/icwdmhandbook/54

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in The aH ndbook: Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. James E. Knight Extension Wildlife Specialist Animal and Range Sciences JACKRABBITS AND Montana State University Bozeman, Montana 59717 OTHER HARES

Fig. 1. Blacktail jackrabbit, Lepus californicus (left); whitetail jackrabbits, L. townsendii (middle); showshoe hare, L. americanus (right).

Damage Prevention and Frightening Trapping Control Methods Guard dogs. Body-gripping and leghold traps. Repellents Box traps. Exclusion Ammonium soaps, capsaicin, naphtha- Shooting Fencing. lene, thiram, tobacco dust, ziram. Spotlighting and day shooting are Tree trunk guards. Toxicants effective where legal. Cultural Methods Anticoagulants (where registered). Hunting. Manipulation of habitat. Fumigants Other Methods Planting of less desirable crops. None are registered. Predators.

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WILDLIFE DAMAGE — 1994 Cooperative Extension Division Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Nebraska - Lincoln United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Animal Damage Control D-81 Great Plains Agricultural Council Wildlife Committee a b c

Fig. 2. Range of the (a) whitetail jackrabbit, (b) blacktail jackrabbit, and (c) snowshoe hare.

Identification in size. This nonnative hare is brown- Where food and shelter are available ish gray year-round. in one place, no major daily movement Three major species of jackrabbits of hares occurs. When food areas and occur in North America (Fig. 1). These shelter areas are separated, morning hares are of the genus Lepus and are Range and evening movements may be represented primarily by the blacktail The whitetail jackrabbit is found observed. Daily movements of 1 to 2 jackrabbit, the whitetail jackrabbit, and mainly in the north central and north- miles (1.6 to 3.2 km) each way are the snowshoe hare. Other members of western United States and no further fairly common. In dry seasons, 10-mile this genus include the antelope jack- south than the extreme north central (16-km) round trips from desert to rabbit and the European hare. Hares part of New Mexico and southern alfalfa fields have been reported. have large, long ears, long legs, and a Kansas (Fig. 2a).The blacktail jack- larger body size than rabbits. rabbit is found mainly in the south- Damage The whitetail jackrabbit is the largest western United States and the hare in the Great Plains, having a head southern Great Plains, and no further Hares consume 1/2 to 1 pound (1.1 to and body length of 18 to 22 inches (46 north than central South Dakota and 2.2 kg) of green vegetation each day. to 56 cm) and weighing 5 to 10 pounds southern Washington (Fig. 2b). Snow- Significant damage occurs when hare (2.2 to 4.5 kg). It is brownish gray in shoe hares occupy the northern concentrations are attracted to summer and white or pale gray in regions of North America, including orchards, gardens, ornamentals, or winter. The entire tail is white. The Canada, Alaska, the northern conti- other agricultural crops. High jack- blacktail jackrabbit, somewhat smaller nental United States, and the higher rabbit populations can also damage than its northern cousin, weighs only 3 elevations as far south as New Mexico range vegetation. to 7 pounds (1.3 to 3.1 kg) and is 17 to (Fig. 2c). Antelope jackrabbits are Most damage to gardens, landscapes, 21 inches (43 to 53 cm) long. It has a found only in southern Arizona, New or agricultural crops occurs in areas grayish-brown body, large black- Mexico, and western Mexico. The adjacent to swamps or rangeland nor- tipped ears, and a black streak on the European hare is found only in south- mally used by hares. Damage may be top of its tail. The snowshoe hare is 13 ern Quebec, New York, and other temporary and usually occurs when to 18 inches (33 to 46 cm) long and New England states. natural vegetation is dry. Green vege- weighs 2 to 4 pounds (0.9 to 1.8 kg). It General Biology, tation may be severely damaged dur- has larger feet than the whitetail and ing these dry periods. blacktail jackrabbits. The snowshoe Reproduction, and turns white in winter and is a dark Behavior Orchards and ornamental trees and brown during the summer. Its ears are shrubs are usually damaged by smaller than those of the other hares. Members of the genus Lepus are born overbrowsing, girdling, and stripping The antelope jackrabbit is 19 to 21 well-furred and able to move about. of bark, especially by snowshoe hares. inches (48 to 53 cm) long and weighs 6 Little or no nest is prepared, although This type of damage is most common to 13 pounds (2.7 to 5.9 kg). Its ears are the young are kept hidden for 3 to 4 during winter in northern areas. extremely large and its sides are a pale days. Females may produce up to 4 Rangeland overbrowsing and over- white. The European hare is the largest litters per year with 2 to 8 young per grazing can occur any time jackrabbit of the hares in the Northeast, weighing litter. Reproductive rates may vary numbers are high. Eight jackrabbits are 7 to 10 pounds (3.1 to 4.5 kg) and from year to year depending on estimated to eat as much as one sheep, reaching 25 to 27 inches (63 to 68 cm) environmental conditions. and 41 jackrabbits as much as one cow. D-82 Estimates of jackrabbit populations gizers and high-tensile wire will mini- Repellents run as high as 400 jackrabbits per mize cost and maximize effectiveness. Since state pesticide registrations vary, square mile (154/km2) extending over Tree Trunk Guards. The use of indi- check with your local Cooperative several hundred square miles. Range vidual protectors to guard the trunks Extension or USDA-APHIS-ADC damage can be severe in such situa- of young trees or vines may also be office for information on repellents le- tions, especially where vegetation pro- considered a form of exclusion. gal in your area. ductivity is low. Among the best of these are cylinders Various chemical repellents are offered made from woven wire netting. as a means of reducing or preventing Legal Status Twelve- to 18-inch-wide (30.5- to 45.7- hare damage to trees, vines, or farm cm) strips of 1-inch (2.5-cm) mesh Jackrabbits are considered nongame and garden crops. Repellents make poultry netting can be formed into cyl- animals in most states and are not protected plants distasteful to jack- inders around trees. Cylinders should protected by state game laws. A few rabbits. A satisfactory repellent must be anchored with lath or steel rods and states protect jackrabbits through also be noninjurious to plants. regulations. Most states in which braced away from the trunk to prevent snowshoe hares occur have some rabbits from pressing them against the In the past, a variety of repellents have regulations protecting them. Consult trees and gnawing through them. been recommended in the form of paints, smears, or sprays. Many of local wildlife agencies to determine the Types of tree protectors commercially these afford only temporary protection legal status of the species before apply- available include aluminum, nylon and must be reapplied too often to ing controls. mesh wrapping, and treated jute card- warrant their use. Other, more per- board. Aluminum foil, or even ordi- sistent materials have caused injurious nary sacking, has been wrapped and Damage Prevention and effects to the treated plants. Some tied around trees with effective results. Control Methods chemical substances such as lime- Wrapping the bases of haystacks with sulphur, copper carbonate, and asphalt Exclusion 3-foot-high (0.9-m) poultry netting pro- emulsions have provided a certain Fencing. Exclusion is most often vides excellent protection. amount of protection and were harm- accomplished by the construction of less to the plants. These are less com- Cultural Methods fences and gates around the area to be monly used today and have been protected. Woven wire or poultry net- Habitat Manipulation. In areas replaced by various commercial prepa- ting should exclude all hares from the where jackrabbit or hare damage is rations such as ammonium soaps, cap- area to be protected. To be effective, likely to occur, highly preferred crops saicin, dried blood, napthalene, use wire mesh of less than 1 1/2 inches such as alfalfa, young cotton plants, thiram, tobacco dust, and ziram, (3.8 cm), 30 to 36 inches (76 to 91 cm) lettuce, and young grape vines are which are probably more effective. high, with at least the bottom 6 inches usually most damaged. Crops with Repellents are applied during either (15 cm) buried below ground level. large mature plants, such as corn, usu- the winter dormant season or summer Regular poultry netting made of 20- ally are not damaged once they grow growing season. Recommendations gauge wire can provide protection for beyond the seedling stage. Where pos- vary accordingly. 5 to 7 years or more. Although the ini- sible, avoid planting vulnerable crops Be sure to use repellents according to tial cost of fences appears high—about near historically high hare populations. the manufacturer’s guidelines and fol- $1,000 per mile ($625/km)—they are Overuse of range forage can some- low label recommendations. economically feasible for protecting times lead to high jackrabbit numbers. high-value crops and provide year- Powders. Any repellent applications Jackrabbits are least abundant where round protection on farms with a his- that involve the use of powders should grass grows best within their range. tory of jackrabbit problems. Remember be dusted on garden crops early in the Like many rodents, they prefer open to spread the initial cost over the morning when plants are covered with country with high visibility to areas expected life of the fence when com- dew, or immediately after a rain. Do where the grass prevents them from paring fencing with other methods. not touch plants with equipment or seeing far. Thus, control programs Exclusion by fencing is desirable for clothing because moist plants, espe- accompanied by changes in grazing small areas of high-value crops such as cially beans, are susceptible to disease. practices that encourage more vegeta- gardens, but is usually impractical and When a duster is not available and tive growth may be necessary for long- too expensive for larger acreages of only a few plants are involved, use a term relief. farmland. bag made of cheesecloth to sift repel- Frightening lent dust onto plant foliage. Repeated Electric fencing has been found to applications may be necessary after exclude jackrabbits. Six strands spaced Guard Dogs. Dogs can be chained rains have washed the powder from 3 inches (7.6 cm) apart alternating hot along boundaries of crop fields or near the foliage and as new plant growth and ground wires should provide a gardens to deter jackrabbits. takes place. deterrent to most hares. Modern ener-

D-83 Sprays. Thoroughly cover the upper by reducing the clotting ability of the target animals are present. Placement surfaces of the leaves with spray repel- blood and by causing damage to the of sticks 1 foot (0.3 m) above the trap lent. If a sprayer is unavailable and capillary blood vessels. Death is will encourage deer and other large only a small number of plants are caused only if the treated bait is con- animals to step over the trap while involved, a whisk broom or brush can sumed in sufficient quantities for allowing access to jackrabbits or other be used to apply the repellent to the several days. A single feeding on anti- hares. Be sure to check with local wild- plant foliage. The repellents will coagulant baits will not control life officials on the legality of trapping adhere to the foliage for a longer jackrabbits. Brodifacoum and broma- hares and jackrabbits. period if a latex-type adhesive is used. diolone may be exceptions, but they Shooting Reapply liquid repellents after a heavy are not yet registered for use on jack- rain and at 10-day intervals to make rabbits. Bait must be eaten at several Where safe and legal to do so, shooting certain new plant growth is protected. feedings on 5 or more successive days jackrabbits may suppress or eliminate with no periods longer than 48 hours Some repellents are not registered for damage. Effective control may be between feedings. application to leaves, stems, or fruits of achieved using a spotlight and a plants to be harvested for human use. When baiting with anticoagulants, use shooter in the open bed of a pickup A list of registered commercial repel- covered self-dispensing feeders or truck. Driving around borders of crop lents can be found in Supplies and nursery flats to facilitate bait consump- fields or within damaged range areas Materials. Many of these may be pur- tion and prevent spillage. Secure and carefully shooting jackrabbits can chased at a reasonable cost from sup- feeding stations so that they cannot remove a high percentage of the popu- pliers handling seed, insecticides, be turned over. Place 1 to 5 pounds lation. Some states require permits to hardware, and farm equipment. (0.5 to 2.5 kg) of bait in a covered self- shoot from vehicles or to use spot- dispensing feeder or nursery flat in lights. Commercial repellents containing runways, resting, or feeding areas that thiram are effective and can be applied In some states sport hunting of jack- are frequented by jackrabbits. Inspect safely to trees and shrubs. Treat all rabbits can be encouraged and may bait stations daily and add bait as stems and low branches to a point keep populations below problem needed. Acceptance may not occur un- higher than rabbits can reach while levels. til rabbits become accustomed to the standing on top of the estimated snow Other Methods feeder stations or nursery flats, which cover. One application made during a may take several days. When bait in Predators. Natural enemies of jack- warm, dry day in late fall should suf- the feeder is entirely consumed over- rabbits include hawks, owls, eagles, fice for the entire dormant season. night, increase the amount. It may be coyotes, bobcats, foxes, and weasels. Coal tar, pine tar, tar paper, and oils necessary to move feeders to different Control of these predators should have caused damage to young trees locations to achieve bait acceptance. occur only after taking into account under certain conditions. Carbolic acid Bait should be available until all feed- their beneficial effect on the reduction and other volatile compounds have ing ceases, which may take from 1 to 4 of jackrabbit populations. proved effective for only short periods. weeks. Replace moldy or old bait with For further information on repellents fresh bait. Pick up and dispose of baits and their availability, see Supplies upon completion of control programs. Economics of Damage and Materials. Dispose of poisoned rabbit carcasses and Control by deep burying or burning. Toxicants Jackrabbits consume considerable Since state pesticide registrations vary, Fumigants vegetation. In cases where their over- check with your local Cooperative use of natural forage results in the There are no fumigants registered for reduction of livestock on rangeland, Extension or USDA-APHIS-ADC jackrabbits. office for information on toxicants control measures may need to be legal in your area. Be sure to read the Trapping implemented. Few studies have been entire label. Use strictly in accordance conducted on the cost-effectiveness of with precautionary statements and Trapping with box-type traps is not ef- jackrabbit control on rangelands. Dam- directions. State and federal regula- fective because jackrabbits are reluc- age must be extreme to justify expen- tions also apply. tant to enter a trap or dark enclosure. ditures for control programs. In most Snowshoe hares are susceptible to box- cases, cultural controls and natural Anticoagulants. In areas where they type traps. mortality will suffice to keep jackrabbit are legal, anticoagulant baits may be populations in check. used to control jackrabbits. Varying Body-gripping and leghold traps can degrees of success have been reported be placed in rabbit runways. Trapping Economic loss on croplands is much with diphacinone, warfarin, brodi- in runways may result in unacceptable easier to measure. In areas with his- facoum, and bromadiolone. Antico- nontarget catches. Check for tracks in toric jackrabbit or hare damage, farm- agulants control jackrabbits and hares snow or dirt surfaces to be sure only ers should anticipate problems and

D-84 have materials available to use at the For Additional Palmer, T. S. 1987. Jackrabbits of the U.S. US Dep. Agric. Biol. Survey Bull. 8:1-88 first sign of damage. During dry times Information of the year or times of natural food Schwartz, C. W., and E. R. Schwartz. 1981. The shortages, preventive measures such Dunn, J. P., J. A. Chapman, and R. E. Marsh. wild mammals of Missouri. Univ. Missouri Press, Columbia. 356 pp. as shooting and exclusion may be con- 1982. Jackrabbits. Pages 124-145 in J. A. sidered a part of regular operations. Chapman and G. A. Feldhamer, eds. Wild Taylor W. P., C. T. Vorhies, and P. B. Lister 1935. mammals of North America: biology, The relation of jackrabbits to grazing in Jackrabbits and other hares can be de- management, and economics. The Johns southern Arizona. J. For. 33:490-493. terred most easily if control measures Hopkins Univ. Press, Baltimore. US Department of the Interior. 1973. Controlling are implemented before the hares Evans, J., P. L. Hegdal, and R. E. Griffith, Jr. rabbits. US Fish Wildl. Serv. Bull. 2 pp. become accustomed to or dependent 1982. Wire fencing for controlling jackrabbit Vorhies, C. T., and W. P. Taylor. 1933. The life on crops. damage. Univ. Idaho. Coop. Ext. Serv. Bull. No. 618. 7 pp. histories and ecology of jackrabbits, Lepus alleni and Lepus californicus sp. in relation to Johnston, J. C. 1978. Anticoagulant baiting for grazing in Arizona. Univ. Arizona Agric. Acknowledgments jackrabbit control. Proc. Vertebr. Pest Conf. Exp. Stn. Tech. Bull. 49:467-587. 8:152-153. Figure 1 of the snowshoe hare by Clint E. Lechleitner, R. R. 1958. Movements, density, and Chapman, University of Nebraska. mortality in a black-tailed jackrabbit Editors population. J. Wildl. Manage. 22:371-384. Figure 2 adapted by David Thornhill, from Burt Scott E. Hygnstrom and Grossenheider (1976). Robert M. Timm Gary E. Larson

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