My First Rabbit(s)

[blaydeman]

Took my dog out to see if i could get her to open up on some rabbits yesterday. She did and it was awesome. I didnt kill one so went out with my dog again this afternoon. with in 30 seconds she was on the trail. i stayed in the same spot and my g/f goes, "there it is!!!" as the rabbit was running behind me. Took aim and fired...:2guns: plop. run up to it and call my dog back and head to the truck. AS we're walking i look to my left and there is another one about 20 feet away. BAM!! got anther one. Got them home and there sitting in a bowl waiting to be cooked right now. Gonna make a stew. Heres some pics. Im pretty sure there cottontails but someone can correct me. I used a 12 guage 870 with 2 3/4" shells with #8 1 1/8oz shot.

 

[ABTOMAT]

I can't help but picture you mounting the object in the last photo on a pike outside your house, "Lord of the Flies" style, to inform other rabbits of their impending fate.

 

[sumpnz]

It's a little more difficult to hit them, but you might want to try a .22lr instead of the 12ga. It won't ruin as much meat, and you won't have to spit out dozens of pellets over the course of a meal. .22's are also a lot quieter - helps if there's neighbors bothered by noise and keeps the hearing damage down if you don't wear muff/plugs. Plus it'll help with marksmanship. Only real downside is ricochete danger, but being careful goes a long way there.

I nailed a cotton tail from 7-10 yards behind the front shoulder. Exit wound was through the offside shoulder and it took 1/2 the lungs out with it. Hit another one just behind the eye. Not much left on the off side of the face. Took him a couple minutes to quit twiching though.

 

[30-06 lover]

Congrats!!!

 

[The-Fly]

that dog is a cutey, can i keep her ?

 

[frosty]

Rabbits

Congratulations! Nothin like a rainy day here in Ohio, a good dog, and a couple a three hrs. or so and go get a mess of rabbits What times dinner?

 

['Card]

The third pic is a classic.

I can't help but picture you mounting the object in the last photo on a pike outside your house, "Lord of the Flies" style, to inform other rabbits of their impending fate.

I tried that with squirrels once. Didn't work. They kept raiding the birdfeeders. Briefly.

 

[dfaugh]

Rabbits are FUN!

Although I don't hunt them any more (no dog, and can't walk the fields anymore--need knee replacements)...

I had a dog that was hilarious in the field (1/2 beagle, 1/2 coonhound!)that my (ex)brother-in-law gave me. Dog would chase the rabbit, but only for 50 yards or so, then he'd come back to me! (Wagging his tail like "look what I found dad") Dumb dog. My (ex) father-in-law had some great beagles(some weren't any bigger than the rabbits), they'd chase them rabbits 'til they (the dogs) dropped from exhaustion.

Only problem I ever had rabbit hunting was shooting them too close... I used to shoot alot of trap, and if I or the dogs kicked up a rabbit, I'd mount the gun quick, and blast 'em, sometimes only a few feet away...Would end up with "rabbit hamburger" that way.