I am supposed to go rabbit hunting towards the end of this month. It will be some where an hour north of Albany, NY. I have only been pheasant hunting (15+ years ago) and I have no other hunting experience. The group that I am going with are all bringing shotguns (Remington 870s). My question is which of my shotguns do I bring hunting. I have a .20 guage 870, 12 guage Stevens double and and a 12 guage Remington Model 11 semi-automatic. I am leaning toward the the 20 because I think the 12 will be over kill. Also what type of ammo should I purchase. Last but not least, any tips for hunting rabbits.
Rabbit hunting
- Thread starter Sharpdogs
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The Rifleman
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- Jan 17, 2007
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use what ever gun you feel most comfortable with. I would prefer the 12 ga semi, if it shoots well and has a full choke.
Second season rabbits are a lot of fun. But during the fall there is more folage and most of your shots are closer to 20 yards.
In the winter there is lots of snow up there and cold temperatures. The rabbits are more likely to be sitting on the sides of the hills sunning themselves in the afternoons and in the brush piles and near old apple orchards and small pine trees in the mornings.
Wear some good warm clothing and some brush pants. A good set of insulated boots. Some warm gloves. A very warm orange hat.
I would use Winchester Western Super X High brass number 6 for the first two shots and the third I would use a high brass #4 shot. They are sometimes called Duck and Phesant loads..
The best advice I can give you is to walk slowly. Look for rabbits sitting under the undergrowth. Look for their eyes. Sometimes it is a dead give away - you won't see the rabbit. But you will see the dark black colored eyes.
Jump on any old board piles you come to and kick all the brush piles you come across and walk in the high weeds. Once you kick out the rabbit, let the dog do the work. Stand in one place no matter how much you want to move someplace else.. The dog knows where you are at and it will bring the rabbit around to you sooner or later.. More rabbits are missed by moving to another place and 2 minutes later the rabbit ran right over your foot prints than any other way. If you get tired, sit down. I have gotten many rabbits just by staying in one place.
Walk in a straight line when putting on a drive and when you cannot see others keep yelling where are you at to each other - to avoid shooting each other.
Wear a coat that has a game bag or buy yourself a rabbit stringer.
Take a small knife and gut out your rabbit as soon as you harvest it.
Give the heart and the lungs and the kidneys to the dogs, they love them.
Throw the intestines and the stomach over a small bush to keep the dogs from eating it.
Pick up all empty shells.
Chocolate candy bars and cough drops are good to take on a hunting trip along with some bottled water. Maybe even some dog treats for the dogs..
Second season rabbits are a lot of fun. But during the fall there is more folage and most of your shots are closer to 20 yards.
In the winter there is lots of snow up there and cold temperatures. The rabbits are more likely to be sitting on the sides of the hills sunning themselves in the afternoons and in the brush piles and near old apple orchards and small pine trees in the mornings.
Wear some good warm clothing and some brush pants. A good set of insulated boots. Some warm gloves. A very warm orange hat.
I would use Winchester Western Super X High brass number 6 for the first two shots and the third I would use a high brass #4 shot. They are sometimes called Duck and Phesant loads..
The best advice I can give you is to walk slowly. Look for rabbits sitting under the undergrowth. Look for their eyes. Sometimes it is a dead give away - you won't see the rabbit. But you will see the dark black colored eyes.
Jump on any old board piles you come to and kick all the brush piles you come across and walk in the high weeds. Once you kick out the rabbit, let the dog do the work. Stand in one place no matter how much you want to move someplace else.. The dog knows where you are at and it will bring the rabbit around to you sooner or later.. More rabbits are missed by moving to another place and 2 minutes later the rabbit ran right over your foot prints than any other way. If you get tired, sit down. I have gotten many rabbits just by staying in one place.
Walk in a straight line when putting on a drive and when you cannot see others keep yelling where are you at to each other - to avoid shooting each other.
Wear a coat that has a game bag or buy yourself a rabbit stringer.
Take a small knife and gut out your rabbit as soon as you harvest it.
Give the heart and the lungs and the kidneys to the dogs, they love them.
Throw the intestines and the stomach over a small bush to keep the dogs from eating it.
Pick up all empty shells.
Chocolate candy bars and cough drops are good to take on a hunting trip along with some bottled water. Maybe even some dog treats for the dogs..
Grumulkin
Member
MCgunner
Member
I've hunted with .22 rifle, .410, 20, and 12. It really don't matter the gauge, but rifle hunting is for the expert. I have to have a little time to get on a rabbit to hit it with a rifle, though I can do it. But, you don't often get that time if you're jumping ['m. Shotguns are much more effective. Gauge really doesn't matter. I'd take an improved cylinder if you have one, modified if not. I really like using a double with a choice of choke, myself, and the double is SO much quicker to the shoulder and on target. Doubles were made for this sort of action.
870s will work if you have a little more time to get it goin'. They just are slower to the shoulder, more muzzle heavy. The single shot is not a bad choice, actually, light and very quick and you rarely get more'n one shot at a rabbit before he's either dead or gone.
870s will work if you have a little more time to get it goin'. They just are slower to the shoulder, more muzzle heavy. The single shot is not a bad choice, actually, light and very quick and you rarely get more'n one shot at a rabbit before he's either dead or gone.Full Clip
Member
I did this over Christmas in rice fields up north of Sacrmento while duck hunting. Our pond was frozen over, so no birds. Formula for success: Rem 870 12ga, improved choke, #4 steel shot or BB. Basically what I would have otherwise been using for ducks and geese. Shot at four, bagged two. Just flushed them out walking the levee.
my weapons of choice when bunny hunting are Browning BPS 12ga and a mini 14 for the long shots, ive never used dogs we just drive the country roads until we see one, jump out and shoot at it. if im not using either of those guns its just a .22 Winchester mod. 69A with a super old savage 4x scope. gets the job done.
MCgunner
Member
In Texas, hunting public roads is illegal. Private roads, however, is okay. And, you can night hunt here AND there's no closed season on rabbits. When the land is available, spotlighting them from a vehicle while driving the pastures is a sure fired way to get the meat. It's not the funnest form of hunting rabbits IMHO, though. My favorite is behind good beagles (haven't done it in years) and second would be just jump shooting them usually with a shotgun. I've never used anything on rabbits, but a shotgun, a .22 rifle or handgun, or a .38 revolver.
Out in west Texas on the best deer lease the hunting club I was in had, there were jacks and cottontails everywhere. I'd shoot camp meat with a .38 revolver (or .357 loaded with .38s) in the mornings on the way out. Never a problem running up on one on the ranch roads out there. We had 13,000 acres leased out there. Jack rabbits are a bit stupid. You can walk up on 'em within revolver range pretty easily. Don't care for eatin' 'em, though, and I was usually deer/javelina hunting, so I didn't shoot too many jacks. But, I always took cottontails in the morning for camp meat. Fried cottontail is yummy.
Out in west Texas on the best deer lease the hunting club I was in had, there were jacks and cottontails everywhere. I'd shoot camp meat with a .38 revolver (or .357 loaded with .38s) in the mornings on the way out. Never a problem running up on one on the ranch roads out there. We had 13,000 acres leased out there. Jack rabbits are a bit stupid. You can walk up on 'em within revolver range pretty easily. Don't care for eatin' 'em, though, and I was usually deer/javelina hunting, so I didn't shoot too many jacks. But, I always took cottontails in the morning for camp meat. Fried cottontail is yummy.
The right weapon of choice really depends on the cover and the conditions you hunt in. I've found that sometimes the rabbits sit tight and other times they bolt way out in front of you. It's no fun blasting a rabbit with a shotgun or even a .22 rifle if they are sticking tight to cover.
I usually take a nice compliment of arms. A shotgun with interchangable chokes, a .22 rifle and a .22 pistol should cover the bases for you.
I usually take a nice compliment of arms. A shotgun with interchangable chokes, a .22 rifle and a .22 pistol should cover the bases for you.
sm
member
I like backpacks to tote wabbits in - they get heavy - weight on shoulders and waist strap supports weight real well.
This pack also always for water, dog treats, snacks and whatever else.
Peppermint candy to spoil dogs so they work for you.
Stick of Beef Jerky in your pocket/ on person - makes one a better shooter.
Silk or polypro socks on first, then hunting socks.
Toting more than shooting, I usually use a 20 , 28 or .410. I still like using a single shot.
Main thing is to be safe, have fun, and if these dogs are beagles...oh dear me...what fun indeed you will have.
Don't get me wrong - any dawg out hunting is a sight to behold, still some dawgs were meant for certain hunting, and beagles and wabbits are like scratch biscuits and home-made gravy .
Any kids coming along? This the first hunt for any of the kids?
If so, find some nice traditional pen knives, such as a Case Peanut. Tradition to give folks a knife on first hunt. The memory never dulls with the gift of a knife.
Focus on nothing but leading most edge of wabbit, come from behind, match speed and angle, pull ahead to see daylight, slap trigger and keep swinging through.
You miss. Don't worry about it - just watch your backside - cause wabbit is going to circle back and give you another chance.
Anyone else get so into watching the Beagles, and kids , they don't care one whit if they fire a shot or not?
This pack also always for water, dog treats, snacks and whatever else.
Peppermint candy to spoil dogs so they work for you.
Stick of Beef Jerky in your pocket/ on person - makes one a better shooter.
Silk or polypro socks on first, then hunting socks.
Toting more than shooting, I usually use a 20 , 28 or .410. I still like using a single shot.
Main thing is to be safe, have fun, and if these dogs are beagles...oh dear me...what fun indeed you will have.
Don't get me wrong - any dawg out hunting is a sight to behold, still some dawgs were meant for certain hunting, and beagles and wabbits are like scratch biscuits and home-made gravy .
Any kids coming along? This the first hunt for any of the kids?
If so, find some nice traditional pen knives, such as a Case Peanut. Tradition to give folks a knife on first hunt. The memory never dulls with the gift of a knife.
Focus on nothing but leading most edge of wabbit, come from behind, match speed and angle, pull ahead to see daylight, slap trigger and keep swinging through.
You miss. Don't worry about it - just watch your backside - cause wabbit is going to circle back and give you another chance.
Anyone else get so into watching the Beagles, and kids , they don't care one whit if they fire a shot or not?
EricTheBarbarian
Member
Alot of people will tell you 12 ga is overkill but it works just fine. I prefer #6 shot 2 3/4 in game loads. For rabbits I mainly try to stomp down brush and run them out if youre hunting in some thick brush.
MCgunner
Member
I never get tired of watching, listening to good dogs.
One thing here, in spring especially, rabbits and rattlers like the same sorts of cover. Wear leggin's if you have snakes about and be real careful stompin' them dew berry patches.
One thing here, in spring especially, rabbits and rattlers like the same sorts of cover. Wear leggin's if you have snakes about and be real careful stompin' them dew berry patches.
Wow! Thanks for the all the advice. I can't wait to get out there. Just ordered a new set of winter boots, now I have to go out and pick up some ammo. My dogs are trained well enough to hunt so they are staying home. I will post back in a few weeks after the hunt to let you know how things went. I hope the weather holds out.
If you're using a shotgun...
Don't get too close. I learned this after spooking a rabbit while quail hunting. Saw where he went, stalked up to within 10 yards or so of the sage he was hiding under, and let him have it with a 1 1/8 oz #7.5 bird load. IC choke. Nearly blew him in half. The coyotes, I'm sure, thanked me for the meal, but no fried bunny for me that day.
Seems to me that a 20ga/22LR Stevens model 24 would be a great bunny gun, if you only wanted to carry one gun.
--Shannon
Don't get too close. I learned this after spooking a rabbit while quail hunting. Saw where he went, stalked up to within 10 yards or so of the sage he was hiding under, and let him have it with a 1 1/8 oz #7.5 bird load. IC choke. Nearly blew him in half. The coyotes, I'm sure, thanked me for the meal, but no fried bunny for me that day.
Seems to me that a 20ga/22LR Stevens model 24 would be a great bunny gun, if you only wanted to carry one gun.
--Shannon
Screamin Beagle
Member
Bring the shortest/lightest one. If your gonna be kicking around in the thick brush, you'll appreciate a short, light weight gun. If your gonna be standing in a road w/ dogs pushing them towards you, then it won't matter much.
MCgunner
Member
If I'm shotgunning and see where one goes, even if I see him, I'll jump him and shoot on the run. Shooting him sitting is cheating with a shotgun.
A 24V in .22/.410 was THE tool when I was a kid. I've often thought of one, but don't do much rabbit jumping anymore and I've shot 'em sitting out to 25 yards with a good .22 or .38 revolver before, so I can always carry a handgun. I think I'd get the 24V in .22mag/20 or .22 hornet/20, still good on rabbits and more range for other shooting.
Now, the .22 LR would probably be better for squirrel/rabbit. I still squirrel hunt and there's always a chance to jump a rabbit while squirrel hunting. If I had a .22 hornet, though, I could hand load it with a good cast .22 bullet to .22LR ballistics for small game and have the range with hot stuff. I sorta like the .22 hornet, a reloadable and very versatile round, though .22LR is cheap and you don't have to mess with reloading. But, the 24V is more a hunting tool and less a plinking tool to me, so I think the hornet would be really cool in that gun.
With the mag barrel on the 24V, for small game, the Winchester dyna point is less powerful than the mags, sort of a half way between mag and .22LR and would be a good choice on small game like rabbits and even squirrels with the gun. I think I can do about anything with my light weight little 20 gauge coach gun that I can do with a 24V on rabbits, though, but if I did a lot of bunny hunting, it sure would be a good excuse for a new gun, eh?
redneck2
Member
I killed a ton of rabbits with a crappy old 16 gauge single shot and trap loads.
Rabbits are very easy to kill. Use a full or mod choke and you'll pick a LOT of shot out of the meat. It typically only takes 4-5 pellets to put one down. I used 6's out of a cylinder choke. If you jump them, shots will be close or they'll be gone in the brush and grass. Fast or nothing. Use your lightest, fastest gun.
If you skin them out, don't let the loose fur get on the meat. It's a BEAR to pick off. Wet the fur before you skin them so the fur doesn't float off and get on the meat. Cut out the shot or you'll chomp down on a chunk of lead surrounded by a fur ball.
Rabbits are very easy to kill. Use a full or mod choke and you'll pick a LOT of shot out of the meat. It typically only takes 4-5 pellets to put one down. I used 6's out of a cylinder choke. If you jump them, shots will be close or they'll be gone in the brush and grass. Fast or nothing. Use your lightest, fastest gun.
If you skin them out, don't let the loose fur get on the meat. It's a BEAR to pick off. Wet the fur before you skin them so the fur doesn't float off and get on the meat. Cut out the shot or you'll chomp down on a chunk of lead surrounded by a fur ball.
lawson
Member
i usually use a 12 gauge with #6 birdshot, imp cyl choke. here in the desert you don't often get to see 'em while they're sitting still. i occasionally hunt them with a .22, but the higher price of 12 gauge shells ensures meat for the pot. if i go rabbit hunting, you'd better believe i'm having rabbit stew that night.
i love rabbit meat, and though they are legal game year-round here, their meat is only safe to eat certain times of the year, and you still have to carefully inspect for worms.
i love rabbit meat, and though they are legal game year-round here, their meat is only safe to eat certain times of the year, and you still have to carefully inspect for worms.
NailGun
Member
458 Lott Tooo funny. Use "enough gun", them rabbits can be deadly!
Tooo funny. Use "enough gun", them rabbits can be deadly!BsChoy
Member
20 gauge with imp cylinder has never failed me!
MrDig
Member
I've got a single shot .410 that swings easy and I can shoot one handed if needed. busted more rabbits with it than any other gun I've owned.
308win
Member
I assume you are hunting cottontails and not snohares. If so, I would carry the 20 with 23/4 high base 6s. Cottontails kill easy and don't take much energy to dispatch. The twenty should be lighter and faster handling.
MCgunner
Member
The 20 hits just as hard as a 12, just has less shot in the pattern. As I get older, and more experienced, and better with a shotgun in the first place, I have learned to more appreciate the 20 gauge. Heck, I've kill a lot of rabbits with a .410, the 20 is plenty and besides it rhymes.
I have only killed one rabbit. I was cooking steaks out on the grill and talk to my grandfather about the odd meat he ate as a kid. He metioned rabbit as one darted infront of the grill I shot it, skinned it and grilled it right there. The meat was jumping when it hit the grill. Lucky
The rabbit was good.
The rabbit was good.
sturmruger
Member
One of my favorite things to hunt are rabbits down at my in-laws place in IA. They have a German Shepherd that is turning into quite a good rabbbit dog. She can sniff them out and tell when they are under a woodpile or something. If they have a long ways to run she has even caught rabbits before by running them down usually they are too quick for her and they fall pretty easy to my Mossber 12 ga. For the most part I use my smooth bore slug barrel becaue I like to have sights. With the slug barrel I will usually just use whatever shot is the cheapest at Walmart. For me the #8 has seemed to do the best job. Most of my shots ar inside of 40 yards so it doesn't really matter what you use.
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