Perfect breeding conditions have led to a massive explosion in rabbit numbers in Otago, which one rabbiter says is the biggest he has seen in 25 years.
Ray Moffat, a rabbiter based in Cromwell, said there had been two very good breeding cycles since July.
Otago Regional Council's regional services manager Jeff Donaldson agreed.
"If we continue to get low rainfall, which is predicted through to autumn, the increase in rabbit population will be one of the largest increases we've had in many years," Mr Donaldson said.
Mr Moffat said he had shot 18,000 rabbits since May and was barely keeping up with the growing numbers, and on a night's shoot the kill was made up of close to 70% young rabbits instead of the usual 20%.
Three times since April he had shot 400 rabbits in a six-hour night, a first in his career. A usual tally in recent years was 150.
"There's a massive explosion in rabbit numbers.
"This is huge. It's been 25 years since I've seen an explosion like this."
It was not isolated but affecting the entire basin and the proof could be easily seen on the region's roads at night, Mr Moffat said.
"There are hundreds out there."
Those station holders who employed the services of rabbiters or other control methods had numbers under control but "it wouldn't take much to lose it", he said.
"Those still using casual shooters are fighting a losing battle this year. In the past it may have worked. This year it's crazy."
Mr Moffat thought several factors had created the "perfect season" for rabbits - and a "kick in the gut" for farmers trying to meet the regional council's new tighter pest strategy rabbit limits.
Mr Donaldson said the small amount of rain that fell this week just freshened the grass and "kicked" rabbits into breeding again.
More rabbits were being seen by regional services staff and farmers in coastal areas, as well as the high country.
Typically, the region experienced heavy rain during spring through to Christmas, which helped keep numbers down by drowning the young in their nests, he said.
Survival this year was very high, Mr Donaldson said.
"The young born in September are now breeding themselves and their second litter will breed in a month or so."
The rabbit virus was present and its impact had been seen in some areas in late spring, but it was not able to compete with the level of breeding farmers were seeing this year, he said.
Properties where rabbit control had been carried out in the past 12 months and which were maintaining secondary control were reaping the benefits, he said.
