Need some advice on improving rabbit cover

[Bernie P.]

Anything will do from bargain priced grass at the local garden center to pricey clovers aimed at deer hunters.If need be borrow or rent a brush hog and chain saw to open things up.That alone will get things growing even without planting and you can use the cuttings for brush piles.How big is your field?If there's a farmer nearby with livestock maybe you could cut a deal with him to plant alfalfa or something.Good luck!

[THEMAKKER13]

If I had to guess, the field is about 5 acres maybe 6. I do have clover and turnips planted there already. However, yesterday I saw tons of rabbit tracks in the woods, but have yet to see any in the field yet. We haven't had much snow where I live though.

[Bernie P.]

That being the case there's likely a fair predator population hanging around.Put as much hunting pressure on them as you can.If you're not seeing predator sign on the ground all I can figure is hawks,owls and such are the culprits.Not much you can do about them.Sounds like feed is covered pretty good.

[THEMAKKER13]

We have a ton of hawks and owls who live in the perimeter of the field. We also have a ton of foxes and raccoons. Plus a decent population of weasels and coyotes. Few cats running around too.

[Bocajnala]

Like I said previously, thin out whatever predators you have. Rabbits seem pretty easy for predators to get, not sure why. But we had a cat that killed several rabbits one spring. So if our barn cat was getting them, other predators certainly can. If you want the small game, you gotta thin out the predators. This should help game bird populations too.
-Jake