small game

[Tony14]

i have been wanting to do some small game hunting? i dont have anyland so where would i go? i was thinking a statepark that allowed hunting? i have a ruger 10/22 and a 870 which should i use? righ now im thinking rabits and squirells, can i hunt coyotes with a .22 or 12 guage? im basically looking for tips and suggestions on small game hunting
thanks
tony

 

[Owen]

First step is to find a hunter safety course, and get a license. In general, you may not hunt in State Parks, but it's different from state to state. your hunter safety course should cover most of this stuff.

In addition, when you get your license, make sure you pick up a copy of the fish and game laws and study it very closely.

 

[brandon_mcg]

have any friends that own land??? i get asked all the time by folks if i'll come take care of the squirrels, rabbits, etc. especially if they have gardens and such.

 

[cottswald]

Check with your State Wildlife Department. You should be able to find most of the information on-line. Check to see what the licensing requirements are and familiarize yourself with regulations regarding game that you are interested in hunting. Most states provide public hunting areas designated as such. 22lr would be an excellent caliber to hunt rabbit or squirrel. Good hunting!

 

[dacavasi]

There's a wealth of information on the net regarding where to hunt, what to hunt, and how to hunt it. Make sure you are using an adequate firearm for your quarry, and know beforehand how to field dress any animal whose life you take! It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, we need to always respect our game animals, don't shoot them unless you intend to eat them, or, they are a direct threat to your home/livestock/land. And always, ENJOY THE HUNT!

 

[Sunray]

Where you are matters. Add it to your profile. Allows us to send you to the right place and give you useful info.
Joining a shooting club will open all kinds of doors.
"...a hunter safety course and get a license..." Absolutely. Don't think any State allows you to buy a hunting licence without a Hunter's Safety course.
There is such a thing as public land, but, as mentioned, State Parks are usually out. Again, where you are matters. You have to know what small game is in season as well.
"...can I hunt coyotes with..." Yep, but neither is ideal for Wiley. He's a very smart fellow. He can adapt to any place because of that. Your range will be limited too. A scoped, .22 centre fire, varmint rifle would be better.

 

[Owen]

Sunray,

Some states don't require it. I live in Indiana, and because of my age (35) I don't need a hunter safety course. I didn't feel the needd to take one, because my dad shoved me in one every year through my teens to drill the safety stuff home (You know, the old man's wisdom becomes more apparent as the years go by...)

That said, if you've never taken a hunter safety course, I'd take one, even if you are an old codger, just because they'll probably touch on subjects you haven't thought about before.

 

[Daniel Boone]

Well Tony, I don't know what to tell you because I do not know where you live or how old you are.

If you are 14 years old, maybe some school mates can suggest some places to you that would be open to public hunting or maybe a hunting club can hook you up with a mentor to take you small game hunting.

Some places such as cities - frowns upon armed hunters in their woods while rural areas for the most part welcomes some small game hunters as long as you follow both the state rules and the land owners rules.

In my case, most of the rabbit population lives near the houses and the woods are mostly devoid of most small game because there is too many deer and big game animals living in the same proximity as the woods where I hunt.

 

[Tony14]

First of thanks for the replies. Yes i have taken a hunter safety course, and would never do any hunting unless i was comp
etely sure it was legal ect. So right now is to scope my .22 and start practicing. Can sme just give me an overview of say rabbit hunting. Yes i know go where rabbits are and legally to hunt, But suggestions where to hunt, where to look for the rabbits ect. I aim for head behind the eye right? Do i have to use hollowpoints? Sorry for all the questions, all tips and suggestions appreciated thnks
tony

 

[Tony14]

By the way i live in the metro detroit area michigan. Im 15 and yes if i started shooting the rabbits in my neighborhood i would probly end up having a takk with the police, haha. I though small game would be a good start to hunting for me, easier to clean than big game ect. My dad used to hunt a lot but stopped for a while, im trying to get more knowledge and a hunting plan i can present him with and ask if he'll take me.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Tony,

Where and when did you take your course? I ask as it's a rare set of hunter safety instructors that wouldn't help you get started beyond the course. I am one here in Maryland, and I would find it futile to teach you to hunt, and to do it safely, when you had no way to get started. So if you were here, I'd help, and I can't think of any of my cohorts who wouldn't help too. (Once in a great while I get a student that is there for firearm safety only..., but that isn't you.)

Check back with them, or find another course, and stop by for a few minutes, and talk to an instructor about where to start.

LD

 

[Tony14]

I took my course at a gun shop/range in flint michigan i cant remember the name, while of course they taught us how to handle a firearm safely, gun parts, laws, administered the test ect. they did not give any hunting tips or anything like that. Now my dad is a long time hunter but he doesnt know everything and i think it would be best to have a basic plan that i can ask my dad to do. exmple: will you take me hunting here.... next weekend, we need this.....

 

[cottswald]

Lots of information regarding small game hunting on the "hunting" forum. Check current threads but also the "archive" section at the bottom of the page. Also, you might want to check the "Hunting Mentor" sticky and see if someone is availble in your area.

 

[Kernel]

Some reading:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s...=-1&mode=article&objectID=28528&storeId=10151

http://www.indianagameandfish.com/hunting/rabbits-hares-squirrels-hunting/gf_aa016805a/

http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/bonnet/25/id210.htm

 

[Daniel Boone]

Find yourself someone that is older then you are that has a couple of years of experience hunting rabbits and a rabbit hunting dog such as a beagle.

Buy yourself a shot gun, or at least borrow one and a box of low brass number #6 and a full choke - since it is second season and there is snow on the ground and you can see much further and there is less brush - you will be able to see further and the full choke will allow the shotgun to reach out much further.

If you lived in my neck of the woods, we wouldn't even have to have this conversation - because you would already be out in the woods with me hunting and not asking.

Maybe you can put an add in the local newspaper - that you are looking for a hunting mentor and maybe some kind hearted guy that has no kids or who's kids grew up and moved away - would like to take you hunting.

Surely not everyone is just out for themselves...

It is hard to hunt rabbits with a .22 long rifle.
Rabbits has a tendency to run when you see them - or before they get in range. The range of your .22 is about 50 yards which is about the same range as a 12 gauge shotgun.

I would not advise you hunting by yourself until you learn a little more about hunting in general.

Welcome to the hunting world and don't get discouraged just because you have a lot to learn and no one to teach you how to do it properly.

 

[22-rimfire]

Hunt bottom land that is kind of brushy with fields. A stream of fence rows with strip of trees in a farming area is just about perfect for bunnies. Walk slowly and stay alert. You may find that you are better off using the shotgun. But rabbit hunting with 22 rifles is a blast IF you see game and you get some shooting. Dogs are quite useful. Pay attention to your surroundings if you are using the rifle. You really don't want to shoot into somebody's house because you didn't see it.

It would definitely better if you hunted with someone else. Plus you cover more ground (width-wise) as you move through the area you are hunting.

 

[Art Eatman]

Call it "legwork" or "homework": Get out into rural country and offer to trade off some labor for the privilege of hunting.