Rabbit hunting

R

regulate34

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
67   0   0
Location
BC
Snowshoe hare opened Aug 1st. I hunt them when I go down to the ranch on weekends. Got another 3 yesterday.
I have been using my 22LR taking head shots. Cant seem to get within range for my 410 and the 12gauge I think would be overkill

Anyone else hunting rabbit?
What firearm are you using?
 
Sold my Hunting truck at the start of summer and have yet to replace it.
Rabbit hunting would be hard on the Harley there would be loads of storage for carry dead bunnies though.
BTW, my firearm of choice is a CZ 452 with a soon to be here Leupold 2-7X rimfire scope ;)
Got any pics of your success?
Tight Groups,
Rob
 
I use a number of rimfire rifles for hare... CZ 452 Lux with Leupold VX-2 3-9X40mm, CZ 452 Varmint HM2 and HMR with Hawke Varmint SF 4-16X44mm... Henry Frontier LR and HMR, RRuger 77/22 SS with Hawke Varmint SF 4-16X44mm... Anschutz 1517 D HB with Leupold VX-3 4.5-14X40mm...and a few others... depends on my mood for the day.

I also use air rifles and pistols a fair amount... Benjamin HB20's and Seridan C9 .20's with Leupolds and 14.3 grain Crosman Premier pellets.
 
For snows I always used a 22, I found that once they bolt they always stop at 20-30 yards to look back, thats when i shot them. Down my way we hunt cottontails which calls for a 20 or 12 guage as they never stop before hitting the think stuff.
 
Love my Baikal .410/.22 combo..... an absolute joy to carry and good for sitting or running bunnies......

Gunandtape_zps1b3e5a1b.jpg
 
I would love to try spotlighting for them .but in Ontario the only time we can us a spotlight is for coon at night with a dog that is licenced to hunt them .Dutch
 
I've shot several incidentally while grouse hunting with the 12ga at close range, all head shots with little to no meat damage. I prefer to use the 17hmr or 22lr, each with cheap 3-9 scopes, it feels a little more reasonable for shooting grouse. The scoped 30-30 has also added a rabbit or two to the crockpot after "unsuccessful" deer hunts.
 
what ranges do you guys find your shooting at. I live in thick bush. only way to fine them in walk old over grown logging roads very slowly. most of my shots are 30-40 yrds. I usually spot them at the furthest you can see. I don't find them in the fields at all.
 
What do I use for Varying Hare? Whatever is in my hands at the time, that's almost always a 12ga, I drop down to I/C after the close of Grouse season, switch from 1Oz of #6 to 1Oz of#5. If you're not hunting Grouse, carry a .22lr.
 
My set up is a Ruger 10-22 (stainless) with a cheap 3-9... But to be honest, the vast majority have been taken with .308 and 3 inch 12ga slugs on the hike back to deer or moose camp.

Range is usually 15 yards or so. Haven't 'sploded one yet, but if the campfire storytellers are correct, my time is coming.
 
i've been "hunting" them in my backyard with a slingshot, as that's the only thing not covered by this city's firearm bylaw. I've harvested 2 so far, and currently stalking a third. Not long shots at all, as the garden they are feasting on is only yards from the backdoor. Pretty yummy.
 
I love hunting snowshoe hare.

I've done it with everything from slinghots to 12 guage.

Most anything works, as long as you adapt your strategy and use your weapon intelligently.

I'm not a fan of the .410 for shooting anything bigger than butterflies. At close range. And be ready for a follow-up shot.

An accurate .22 or your favorite 12 guage with at least an 18.5" bbl is your best bet for hare hunting. Bows are super fun.

12 guage is not too much; I've used #6 field loads on hundreds of hares, and a heavy #5 or #6 duck load for hares at longer ranges (just carry a few and use as the situation dictates). Just take head shots (even with a shotgun) and you'll rarely have a pellet in your meat.
 
As Jables posted, I shoot them incidentally to grouse hunting. But that sort of hunting involves so much walking that I'm hesitant to carry a big bunny around unless I've had a request for one or two for rabbit stew. We used to do that at Thanksgiving, have a smaller game meal where rabbit stew and such was a nice change from turkey.

I'm not alone BTW. The rule I've heard for groups of grouse hunters who go out together is that "he who shoots the rabbit has to carry it." One time I shot a rabbit close to the trailhead and was able to hang it in a tree and come back for it. When I did, there was a whole flock of chickadees hopping all around it, chirping like mad and trying to figure out what the crazy rabbit was doing hanging there upside down. They actually had me laughing out loud. You've got to love those little guys
 
Big Bad said:
As Jables posted, I shoot them incidentally to grouse hunting. But that sort of hunting involves so much walking that I'm hesitant to carry a big bunny around unless I've had a request for one or two for rabbit stew. We used to do that at Thanksgiving, have a smaller game meal where rabbit stew and such was a nice change from turkey.

I'm not alone BTW. The rule I've heard for groups of grouse hunters who go out together is that "he who shoots the rabbit has to carry it." One time I shot a rabbit close to the trailhead and was able to hang it in a tree and come back for it. When I did, there was a whole flock of chickadees hopping all around it, chirping like mad and trying to figure out what the crazy rabbit was doing hanging there upside down. They actually had me laughing out loud. You've got to love those little guys
Click to expand...

Holy.......it's only 3-4 pounds? Doesn't your hunting coat or vest have a rear game pocket? Just remember not to sit down without removing Peter Cottontail first....ask me how I came to remember that lesson?! :redface:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom