BAGGING RABIT POACHERS EASY

JEFFERSON CITY -- Rabbits are dumb enough that you can forgive them for sitting in the middle of a road. But Bob King, chief of the Missouri Department of Conservation's Protection Division, says "dumb bunnies" who shoot rabbits from cars ought to know better.

According to King, rabbits frequently visit roads early in the morning during fall and winter. That makes them vulnerable to poachers, who blind the bunnies with automobile headlights and shoot them.

"Bagging rabbits on a gravel road is easy too easy," says King. "That's why it's illegal. But if poachers would stop and think about it, they would realize they are likely to get bagged, too. Our agents don't have to search the whole county; all they have to do is drive the roads listening for shots."

Conservation Agent Scott Bumgardaner arrested 23 persons for rabbit spotlighting last December in Pemiscot County. Violators paid fines of $50, court costs and $10 per rabbit. Hardest hit was a trio who had six rabbits and paid a total of $142.

"Road hunting rabbits isn't hunting at all," said King. "It isn't that much fun, and it can be darned expensive. People who might be tempted to do it should think twice and see if they can't find something better to do with their time."