There are measures land managers can take to help increase hare survival. Many of these are grant-aided through agri-environmental schemes.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP HARES

  • Break up blocks of cereal as much as possible.

  • Provide more grass on arable farms for summer grazing. Run wide strips of grass across open fields or have patches of pasture.

  • Hares need quiet, undisturbed cover to raise leverets. On livestock farms, leave areas uncut and ungrazed for leverets to hide in.

  • When making silage, cut the field from the centre outwards rather than from the outside in, so hares can escape the machinery into neighbouring fields.

  • Have ploughed or rough cultivated areas left for spring crops for hares to jug (sleep).

To participate in our farmers survey, click here or fill the online form:
First Name
Surname
Address
City/Town
Post Code
Telephone
Email
   
What type of farm do you manage? Mixed arable
  Cereal
  Livestock and cereal
  Other (please specify)
  Size of farm
   
Have you got hares on your farm? Yes
  No
   
If yes, do you know how many? Numbers of hares
  Don't know
   
If yes, do you think hare numbers are increasing or decreasing on your farm? Increasing
  Decreasing
   
Approximate number of hares 1995
  1985
  1975
  Other
   
Why do you think they are increasing or decreasing?
   
Would you be prepared to count the hares on your farm as part of an organised survey, or have someone help you do it? Yes
  No
   
Have you had illegal hare coursers on your land? Yes
  No
   
If yes, when and how often?
   
Did you contact the police about the illegal hare coursers? Yes
  No
   
Do you control hare numbers on your land? Yes
  No
   
If yes, what is the main reason for control? Crop damage
  Deter coursers
  Other (please specify)
   
Is there anything else you would like to add?
   
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