Hare

What does it look like?

Hares resemble rabbits but are much larger, with long, black-tipped ears and large muscular hindquarters. Hares are mostly red-brown in colour, with a lighter brown belly. The tail is black on top with a white underside and is held down when the animal runs. The front legs are about half the size of the hind legs and appear undeveloped in comparison.

Hares tend to be solitary animals and live above ground, whereas rabbits live in large groups and usually nest underground. Hares are found in most pastoral and grassland areas of New Zealand and feed on numerous plant species. Primarily nocturnal; during daylight hours they crouch in a "form", an oval shaped depression in vegetation or soft ground.

Why is it a problem?

Hares cause damage to new tree plantings and horticultural crops, amenity plantings and shelter belts by stripping bark from trees and nipping off any small, low, or new branches and growth. Hare population densities appear to be self-regulated, so they do not undergo the kinds of eruptions seen in rabbits. Adult hares are remarkably free from predation in New Zealand and are also relatively free of parasites and disease, which further promotes their successful population expansion.

Control methods

Shooting

• Hares are best controlled by shooting using a .22 rifle or similar, or a shotgun. Hares can be targeted either during the day, or at night with a spotlight. Repeat at regular intervals to ensure numbers are kept low. Hares will not readily accept any poison bait, and there are no effective trapping methods.
• CAUTION: A VALID NEW ZEALAND GUN LICENSE IS REQUIRED UNDER NEW ZEALAND LAW FOR ANY USE OF FIRE ARMS.

Prevention
Where hares are threatening new plantings, hare exclusion nets can be placed around seedlings or palatable species. Any hare control work should be carried out well before planting is undertaken. Hare repellent (usually an egg-based spray) can be applied to help protect plantings too.

Related links

• Monitoring and Control