An Iowa wildlife biologist says there are fewer Elmer Fudds in Iowa today. As you may recall, Elmer Fudd is the cartoon character who makes his living hunting rabbits. Todd Bogenschutz of the Department of Natural Resources says the number of rabbit hunters in Iowa has been gradually declining since the 1960s. Bogenschutz says parents simply aren’t taking kids out and teaching them to hunt rabbits anymore, as the population in rural farms and towns declines. He says rabbits aren’t the only animals who are now safer roaming Iowa, as fewer people are hunting squirrels too.Bogenschutz says the decline in rabbit hunters is one of the factors in an increase in the population of the furry critters in Iowa. He says the rabbit over-run has led to more calls from urban areas complaining about rabbits eating up flowers and vegetable gardens. There could be some rabbit relief as fall approaches. He says many are generally killed by predators by that time.But, Bogenschutz says good weather this winter could lead to another banner year for bunny reproduction. Bogenschutz says a good fence is about the only thing that keeps bunnies from grazing in gardens.
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