The 324 shooters in the 25th Great Easter Bunny Hunt lined Pioneer Park with their kills today for counting.
The 27 teams from all over New Zealand were sent to blocks of farmland across Central Otago and near Wanaka yesterday to chip away at the local rabbit population.
This year, hunters killed a total of 9680 rabbits, up on last year's haul of 8439.
Shooters also dispatched 331 hares, as well as some possums, turkeys, stoats, goats, pigs and magpies.
Hunt convener Dave Ramsay said the event did not make a significant impact on the overall rabbit population, but it was about fun and education.
"The hunters learn that they need to keep going out shooting to keep them under control."
It was perfect hunting weather, although could have been cloudier at night for moon cover, he said.
The team Down South, made up of members from all over Otago and Southland, took out the top number of kills for its second year in a row.
The team killed 887 rabbits, two hares and two possums on an Ida Valley property.
Team member Chris Bell, of Dunedin, said it had been entering the competition for six years, over which they became more organised.
"The first time, we just grabbed guns and started shooting. Now we split into groups and come together and night."
The lack of sleep led to strange conversations between the group, he said. "Yeah it gets a bit weird."
The Alexandra Scout Group were tasked with picking up the carcasses after they were counted so they could be deposed of in a pit on rural property.
The event is run by the Alexandra Lions Club, which will this year donate the money to the Friends of Dunstan Hospital.
A total of 297,359 rabbits have been killed over the event's history.
- By Jono Edwards
