Hunting Rabbits

I want to chime in on this, as Im going hunting next week in dense brush with trails - and there doesnt seem to be a consensus in the firearm of choice. I likewise don't have a dog, and Im going to be shooting solo. My choices are:

12ga Rem. 870 with Mod/Full Chokes and (Im thinking 7 1/2 shot as I have lots left over from trap)
- 3-9 Scoped Ruger 10/22
- BSA Sportsman 5 with 5-rd magazine and iron sights.

advice on how to shoot and how to locate the cottontails would be appreciated.

Also - good call on Tularemia, will be sure to check for it.
 
Copy bluemike807, I also would like advice in finding cottontails and other rabbits that are local around rural Barrie area (Tottenham specifically)
My folks and I are hoping to not push brush, but perhaps do some sniping of bunnies if we can find them. What weather do they prefer?
 
According to the folks here, it seems dawn and dusk are the best hunting times for rabbits. Are the same hunting laws that pertain to rabbit applied to coyote in Ontario/SouthWestern Ontario?
 
Is it generally easier to hunt coyotes than rabbits? I am considering reccomending it to my hunting pals instead as it might actually bring returns (rumour has the MNR will offer 50 dollars per coyote pelt? Is this a BS rumour?)
 
I like "pushing bush" for rabbits, and that's what my family does every year on our traditional boxing day snowshoe hare hunt. It's a great way to get the kids out of the house, away from video games and too much food.
I'd suggest you try to find a narrows between blocks of cover. post your stander there, to one side so the rabbits can go past, and the rest of the crew push the rabbits towards the narrows. It is difficult for beginners to consistently set up safe shots for two shooters, so I'd suggest you take turns posting, it's safer. Have the pushers wear some orange so the shooter can keep track of where they are. I'm not sure about cottontails, but snowshoe rabbits do not like to run out into open fields, they will double back on the pushers before committing to an open country dash. Shooting running rabbits with a .22 is the ultimate thrill for a rifleman, difficult but it IS possible. Don't let the naysayers discourage you! That said, a shotgun will put more meat in the pot. Have fun!
 
Snowshoe hare is an animal that likes to run a few yards and stop, as long as it's in the bush and feels like it has some cover. I tend to use a rifle and shoot their heads off- no bird shot in the meat that way.

For cottontails, I would push bush and use a shotgun. For hare, I would take a .22 and walk through some brushy areas and you will see them in the thick stuff.
 
I like the narrows idea. We will have to see what happens. I heard you can bait for coyotes if they are in the area with a nice fresh chicken or leftover warm meat? Is this true?
 
Walk around and make some noise, stop and wait a good 15 seconds every 20 yards that you cover, if a rabbit is around it will think it has been spotted and jet off... then blast em with birdshot.

I got my first one a few weeks ago, I saw a white flash on a hill side and thought it was a white tail, that sure as hell got my heart pumping :D I was lucky to have both a .22lr and 30/06 on the quad at the time so down it went, it didn't taste too good... lol
 
In Eastern Ontario, say at LaRose Forest, which would be more plentiful/common - snowshoes or cottontails? Im still really fuzzy on which to take, 12ga or .22 - and if the 12ga, what size shot?
 
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