Late-Season Rabbits: Tactics For Tough Hunts

[Joeyman]

great article.

http://www.gameandfishmag.com/hunting/r ... index.html

Click here ^^^^^^^^^^^

http://www.gameandfishmag.com/hunting/r ... aa016804a/

[Pike Ridge Beagles]

Dukes also believes that good dogs are an absolute "must-have" for late-season success.
"A dog has to be able to run a rabbit first and foremost. But you also must have at least one dog that is actually a jump dog to get in there and get the rabbit moving," he said.

All of mine, not just one, better be able to get in there and jump or they won't make it at PRB.

[S.R.Patch]

My advice is, "slow starts the show", stand still and let them hunt. You'd be shocked at the number of rabbits people walk over...
Ooops, I shouldna' told that...

[coolbrze]

My advice is, "slow starts the show", stand still and let them hunt. You'd be shocked at the number of rabbits people walk over...
Ooops, I shouldna' told that...

I agree, all too often we move to fast trying to get one up. We hunted in Central VA Sat. and a buddy of mine commented, musta just walked right by 5 rabbits, I couldn't have agreed more.

[rabbitteer]

The magazine article and the responses are all good advice, but there was no mention of an important consideration when hunting rabbits in cold, and particularly windy days.

In these types of conditions, when brush piles are not available, I have found that rabbits will tend to seek shelter in ditches and creek banks. They will crawl up under exposed tree roots, and will hide up under overhanging banks. If there is sunshine, they will cluster into the ditches, and try to get out of the wind. And they will set tight in these spots. It is not unusual to get extremely close to them before they jump up. Usually the problem is that they will immediately go up over the bank offering little time for a shot, and a close one at that. This, of course, is where a good dog comes into play to get them out and then run them back to you for a shot. This is the type of terrain, as the article identifies, that you would want to hunt slowly, as they are particularly hesitant to depart the comfort of their hiding spot.

Good Luck.