The American Beagler Forum

Has anyone ever heard of starting pups on Dutch Rabbits ? Supposedly their scent is closer to that of a cotton tail, then any other domesticated rabbit.

thanks

I've heard that same claim but I've never used them.

Yes, I tried the dutch rabbits before I trapped some cotton tails for my pen. Don't know about the scent thing but I have also heard that. They all smell the same to me..lol.. but seriously..they seemed to work fine for a younger pup and somewhere with high grass and lots of brush to teach the pups to use thier noses after a short sight chase. But out in the open,the dutch,or any other domestic breed that I have tried, couldn't get up enough speed to keep thier tail. They also seem to run out of steam after a short while and just lay down and stiffen up.But like i said, for young pups they work fine, but not for long. I've read a lot about some of the other breeds like san juans and a few others but have never tried them.Once I got the knack of trapping the wild ones,I only use them now.Good luck... CHH

Thanks,
That was my intent, to trap wild rabbits, but can't get the hung of it. Using apples for bait, I can only seem to catch coon. Thats way i may go the dutch route.

Tame rabbits seem to leave a better scent trail than wild rabbits. They do not jump as far. They are bigger etc. They do poop out quickly. I have crossed Dutch with San Juan and like the cross better than either of the pure breeds. They work better for starting pups, but not for long. A Started pup will run them down quickly and kill them. Another draw back is you usually have to restart the pup on wild rabbits. As far as trapping the wild ones, Daddy Rabbit Holcombe told me that they go into traps to get out of bad weather not to eat. I have better luck using no bait. You catch fewer Coons and possums.