Hungry hunter

hawk-i said:
don't look for the whole rabbit....look for their beady little eyes and keep working the area. :)
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This^^^ if you are looking for varying hares or snowshoes as most call them look for a little black eye. It's amazing how it stands out. Once seen you suddenly see the form of the bunny and after potting a few this way you'll be amazed at how you couldn't seem to spot them before! If you are finding tracks and poop you are in rabbit territory. Move slowly and look in low tangly cover their runs go through. If the snow is deep and soft they like to stick to their trails. You'll often see them on their trails just holding still waiting for you to pass on by.
 
When I lived in the south and we had Rabbits (before coyotes) we always hunted in small groups with a hound or two. Dogs will move the rabbits where you won't, as the dog gets on the scent and the rabbit either runs or gets caught by the dog. Rabbits when put up and chased will always run in a circle and come back to the same point that they were put up from. So if you do get a dog a it puts up a rabbit, stay put the dog will bring the rabbit, or the rabbit will bring the dog eventually back to you. I have shot rabbits while walking in the bush but they have been very few and far between compared to when a dog has been involved. As mentioned one of a rabbits defenses besides running away is it's ability to stay rock solid still. If it figures you will walk on by and not see it by staying still, it will. And trust me you have walked by many rabbits, you just haven't seen them. And like Spank mentioned above look for the big black eye.
 
100% agree with you Goat!
With dogs or specifically beagles,, you will see lots of rabbits if they are around.
I find it very entertaining hunting with beagles. They take off following a fresh rabbit scent,, and their yelps grow farther and farther away. Then maybe no sound. Stay put on the same spot and wait. Soon enough those yelps will get louder as the rabbit comes full circle.
Then get ready,, the dog will usually be no more than 5 seconds behind the rabbit.

You want to see a beagle go absolutely nuts,, let him smell your fresh kill. This is what beagles were bred and created for.
 
I never had much success going out for rabbits when I was a kid, mostly got lucky and shot the odd one while hunting partridge. I did snare a $#!load of them though, I always enjoyed that. I've since moved on to snaring yotes. Always some excitement for me going and checking snares
 
the spank said:
This^^^ if you are looking for varying hares or snowshoes as most call them look for a little black eye. It's amazing how it stands out. Once seen you suddenly see the form of the bunny and after potting a few this way you'll be amazed at how you couldn't seem to spot them before! If you are finding tracks and poop you are in rabbit territory. Move slowly and look in low tangly cover their runs go through. If the snow is deep and soft they like to stick to their trails. You'll often see them on their trails just holding still waiting for you to pass on by.
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Also work the same area over more than once, after about the third time though the rabbits will be less likely to move off and will hold at amazingly close distances. :)
 
Get a basset hound. They're great and a lot slower than beagles. I grew up hunting over a pack of beagles. Then went to basset hound. Since he's been gone I got an English mastiff that I've been working on for birds. She's great at flushing rabbits to. Giant paws crush the bush so I don't have to. She even retrieves the dead bunnies
 
I haven't been out for rabbits in years now! This makes me want to go again. When I used to go i would walk very slowly and pay special attention to your peripheral vision. It is amazing the little movements you pick up that would normally go unnoticed. That is the best advise i have. Have fun!
 
theBuilder said:
I am in dufferin county, but do my hunting up near gravenhurst/barkway area

Sounds like i need to get a beagle!

I tried looking for the eyes, but i just dont have the eyes for it yet. Ill keep plugging away..
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Lots at dufferin and Wellington. Also look at tall grass clumps and marshes.
 
mrgoat said:
When I lived in the south and we had Rabbits (before coyotes) we always hunted in small groups with a hound or two. Dogs will move the rabbits where you won't, as the dog gets on the scent and the rabbit either runs or gets caught by the dog. Rabbits when put up and chased will always run in a circle and come back to the same point that they were put up from. So if you do get a dog a it puts up a rabbit, stay put the dog will bring the rabbit, or the rabbit will bring the dog eventually back to you. I have shot rabbits while walking in the bush but they have been very few and far between compared to when a dog has been involved. As mentioned one of a rabbits defenses besides running away is it's ability to stay rock solid still. If it figures you will walk on by and not see it by staying still, it will. And trust me you have walked by many rabbits, you just haven't seen them. And like Spank mentioned above look for the big black eye.
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I grew up in the Niagara region. We used to hunt cottontails with beagles that my buddy owned. That was some fun hunting!
 
That's what I thought you meant we have had as many as 14 at a time. And during the day 1 here 1 there so they get together as a herd at night. 1 hare = 2 meals.
pounder
 
we go SLOW and look everywhere. The really thick stuff they seem to love. we walk the edges of the thick bush and then slowly push through the middle of it . Even white rabbits are pretty good at jamming themselves under brown or green brush to the point that they almost vanish. Where there are lots of trails and poo...there are lots of rabbits...but it is up to you to spot them.


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Great pics guys, theyre quite nice looking animals..

Thats a good haul pinkmoon, makes my mouth water lol

Not sure the next time i will be able to get out, but i will update the thread with any success i may have! Keep up the discussion though, learning lots and loving the pics.
 
Okay, so I got two hares yesterday afternoon (finally!). Would have been 3 but my gun jammed up! Anyways, being new to this, it was my first time cleaning an animal.

I got urine and feces all over the meat, it was all washed out with cold running water and pat dry with paper towels within i'd say 20 minutes. I was doing some reading and now I am concerned i ruined the meat. Both of em are in the freezer right now, but i just wanted to get your thoughts on if the meat is still good or not? Thanks guys
 
Meat should be good. Next time before you dress the rabbit just run your palm along the belly of the rabbit pushing on it to get the rabbit to pee. As for poo, you need to just get more proficient at dressing the rabbit - eventually you will get to the point where you can dress the rabbit without anything yucky touching the meat. There is a great youTube video of a British Game Keeper dressing a pile of rabbits. He literally swings the rabbit until the guts are near the rear and than applies pressure on the front portion until the guts pop out the back end. Pretty damn impressive.
 
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