Regulations rules?

[Norman89]

Just had a family memeber call me after finding out I'm getting into trapping. He lives in a rural area where there is a disgusting over population of rabbits and very little predation. Most the rabbits I have seen at his place are not wild cottontails they are store brought big ears black and white that were either released or escaped from a neighbor that moved away who was raising them. He is very tired of these rabbits and has asked me to trap them out of there. Now trapping would be ideal since there are houses around and I don't want to draw attention with gunfire, but rabbit is not in the regulations as a furbearer so I'm curiouse as to the legality of trapping these rabbits? Any input is appreciated!

[Machias]

If they are just loose domestic rabbits, trap away, year round and as many as you want.  I've done several of these jobs, drives me crazy how folks just turn these things loose and not worry about the impact on the habitat.

[bobcat]

Some relevant information here:

http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/rabbits.html

[JakeLand]

Silent cat Gamo pellet gun 

[Trapper John]

If they are just loose domestic rabbits, trap away, year round and as many as you want.  I've done several of these jobs, drives me crazy how folks just turn these things loose and not worry about the impact on the habitat.

Like Machias said trap away !   

I have trapped a lot of domestic rabbits.  Use a trap size something like 9"x9" x24".  You can use bigger if you don't have this size.  Carrots and apples work best.
JC. 

[Norman89]

I have a 7x7x24 and three 10x12x30 will these work? I didn't build any rabbit traps I wasn't planning on trapping them I usually hunt them haha

[bear hunter]

  free bobcat bait

[Norman89]

Bobcat, or live bait for coyote maybe? Heard that's what they did before anyone made predator calls

[Axle]

Some relevant information here:

http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/rabbits.html

I see the pika is not listed on this page. It's always called a rabbit and it's the smallest of the rabbits. Is it not a rabbit?
If not, what is it considered?

[Alpinist]

I see the pika is not listed on this page. It's always called a rabbit and it's the smallest of the rabbits. Is it not a rabbit?
If not, what is it considered?

Pikas are in the same order as rabbits, but they are in a different family.

Mammalia
    Lagomorpha
        Ochotonidae (Pikas)
        Leporidae (Hares and Rabbits)

Pikas are protected in WA: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-12-011

[Humptulips]

Thanks for that link. I have been looking for it.
Center for Biological Diversity and Earthjustice have sued UFWS to have Pikas listed under the Endangered Species Act. They are currently under review.

[Norman89]

Hmmm IV seen many pika around me high Buck hunting area. Didn't know they were protected or anything I thought there was a good population

[Axle]

Protecting the pika or listing it as an endangered species is a joke. There are millions upon millions of them over a large geographic area.
And since they have less than one bite of meat on them, aint nobody interested in wasting time, bullets, arrows, or effort on them.
They are cute and I love to see and hear them but any special protection seems like a waste of time. There are betting things to spend time and effort on.

[lokidog]

Be sure to use those bunnies you trap, they are delicious and make wild rabbit not worth the effort. We used to have a lot out here, but then the mink moved in.     Love that bunny stew.   

[Bango skank]

Hmmm IV seen many pika around me high Buck hunting area. Didn't know they were protected or anything I thought there was a good population

Protected animals with healthy populations

Seagulls
Ravens
Hawks
Sea lions
Various squirrels
Wolves
Etc etc