JACK RABBITS (and other Hares)

Jackrabbits are very fast moving. The European Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) can run at speeds of up to 70 km/h (45 mi/h). Hares live solitarily or in pairs.

Identification
Three major species of jackrabbits occur in North America. These hares are of the genus Lepus and are represented primarily by the blacktail jackrabbit, the whitetail jackrabbit, and the snowshoe hare. Other members of this genus include the antelope jackrabbit and the European hare. Hares have large, long ears, long legs, and a larger body size than rabbits.

The whitetail jackrabbit is the largest hare in the Great Plains, having a head and body length of 18 to 22 inches (46 to 56 cm) and weighing 5 to 10 pounds
(2.2 to4.5 kg). It is brownish gray in summer and white or pale gray in winter. The entire tail is white. The blacktail jackrabbit, somewhat smaller than its northern cousin, weighs only 3 to 7 pounds (1.3 to 3.1 kg) and is 17 to 21 inches (43 to 53 cm) long. It has a grayish-brown body, large black-tipped ears, and a black streak on the top of its tail. The snowshoe hare is 13 to 18 inches (33 to 46 cm) long and weighs 2 to 4 pounds (0.9 to 1.8 kg). It has larger feet than the whitetail and blacktail jackrabbits. The snowshoe turns white in winter and is a dark brown during the summer. Its ears are smaller than those of the other hares. The antelope jackrabbit is 19 to 21 inches (48 to 53 cm) long and weighs 6 to 13 pounds (2.7 to 5.9 kg). Its ears are extremely large and its sides are a pale white. The European hare is the largest of the hares in the Northeast, weighing 7 to 10 pounds (3.1 to 4.5 kg) and reaching 25 to 27 inches (63 to 68 cm) in size. This nonnative hare is brownish gray year-round.

Range
The whitetail jackrabbit is found mainly in the north central and northwestern United States and no further south than the extreme north central part of New Mexico and southern Kansas. The blacktail jackrabbit is found mainly in the southwestern United States and the southern Great Plains, and no further north than central South Dakota and southern Washington. Snowshoe hares occupy the northern regions of North America, including Canada, Alaska, the northern continental United States, and the higher elevations as far south as New Mexico. Antelope jackrabbits are found only in southern Arizona, New Mexico, and western Mexico. The European hare is found only in southern Quebec, New York, and other New England states.

General Biology, Reproduction, and Behavior
Members of the genus Lepus are born well-furred and able to move about. Little or no nest is prepared, although the young are kept hidden for 3 to 4 days. Females may produce up to 4 litters per year with 2 to 8 young per litter. Reproductive rates may vary from year to year depending on environmental conditions. Where food and shelter are available in one place, no major daily movement of hares occurs. When food areas and shelter areas are separated, morning and evening movements may be observed. Daily movements of 1 to 2 miles (1.6 to 3.2 km) each way are fairly common. In dry seasons, 10-mile (16-km) round trips from desert to alfalfa fields have been reported.

Damage and Damage Identification
Hares consume 1/2 to 1 pound (1.1 to 2.2 kg) of green vegetation each day. Significant damage occurs when hare concentrations are attracted to orchards, gardens, ornamentals, or other agricultural crops. High jackrabbit populations can also damage range vegetation.

Most damage to gardens, landscapes, or agricultural crops occurs in areas adjacent to swamps or rangeland normally used by hares. Damage may be temporary and usually occurs when natural vegetation is dry. Green vegetation may be severely damaged during these dry periods.

Orchards and ornamental trees and shrubs are usually damaged by overbrowsing, girdling, and stripping of bark, especially by snowshoe hares. This type of damage is most common during winter in northern areas.

Rangeland overbrowsing and overgrazing can occur any time jackrabbit numbers are high. Eight jackrabbits are estimated to eat as much as one sheep, and 41 jackrabbits as much as one cow.

Estimates of jackrabbit populations run as high as 400 jackrabbits per square mile (154/km2) extending over several hundred square miles. Range damage can be severe in such situations, especially where vegetation productivity is low.

Economics of Damage and Control
Jackrabbits consume considerable vegetation. In cases where their overuse of natural forage results in the reduction of livestock on rangeland, control measures may need to be implemented. Few studies have been conducted on the cost-effectiveness of jackrabbit control on rangelands. Damage must be extreme to justify expenditures for control programs. In most cases, cultural controls and natural mortality will suffice to keep jackrabbit populations in check. Economic loss on croplands is much easier to measure. In areas with historic jackrabbit or hare damage, farmers should anticipate problems and have materials available to use at the first sign of damage. During dry times of the year or times of natural food shortages, preventive measures such as shooting and exclusion may be considered a part of regular operations. Jackrabbits and other hares can be deterred most easily if control measures are implemented before the hares become accustomed to or dependent on crops.

Legal Status
Jackrabbits are considered nongame animals in most states and are not protected by state game laws. A few states protect jackrabbits through regulations. Most states in which snowshoe hares occur have some regulations protecting them. Consult local wildlife agencies to determine the legal status of the species before applying controls.


Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Exclusion
Fencing. Tree trunk guards.

Cultural Methods
Manipulation of habitat. Planting of less desirable crops.

Frightening
Guard dogs.

Toxicants
Anticoagulants (where registered).

Fumigants
None are registered.

Repellents
Ammonium soaps, capsaicin, naphthalene, thiram, tobacco dust, ziram.

Trapping
Body-gripping and leghold traps. Box Traps.

Shooting
Spotlighted and day shooting are effective where legal.

Other Methods
Predators.




ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The above information was adapted from PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WILDLIFE DAMAGE with permission of the editors, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Robert M. Timm, and Gary E. Larson (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, Great Plains Agricultural Council Wildlife Committee).