02-05-11 Rabbit Hunting in waste deep snow. Hit 300+ rabbits

[Joeyman]

Woke up saturday morning to more snow. Another 3inches of fresh snow was coming down on top of what was already on the ground. Got dressed grabbed all my things loaded up dogs and out the door I went. Driving on the roads wasn't fun. They were snowed covered and slick. Hi-way speeds were 40MPH tops in some places.

Got out near the farm we were about to hunt when we reached a giant wall of snow on the county road....lol Looks like the tractor plow didn't make it thru. So around we went and came in from the other side. Luckly it was all plowed.

Walking thru 20" of snow was a nightmare. The snow was just above our knee most of the time. Twice I fell into drafts that were waste deep. Not fun trying to get out of that. Dogs managed thru it just fine. They didn't really sink that deep in the snow. Running was good. We had some excellent runs and a few that weren't the greatest.

Two hunters and we ended up with 11 rabbits and One Giant Fox Squirrel. Not a bad day in the woods. But we were sure tired.

We got some good footage all the fun in the snow. Lots to look at in the video.

Video Link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJKjwFkDxTA

This was the road to the farm







This guy thought he could fool me...lol He was playing dead



I was so tired I couldn't move or breathe. Thats the best I could do on the picture of the rabbits....lol Only 10 rabbits there another was still in my vest and I didn't know it because I could hardly move.

This hunt put us over 300 rabbits for the season.



Big fox squirrel

[hookset]

That big fox squirrel should taste about as good as you're old pair of hunting boots.....the boots may be a little more tender.

[Joeyman]

It took three people pulling on him and 20minutes later and he was skinned.........lol

I like eating squirrel just as much as rabbit meat. i think they taste good.

[Joeyman]

if you guys scroll into the video some you will see my dog daisy doing her thing. Thats what i've been trying to tell you guys before. Watch her work and you tell me what you think. She's in heat right now but I'm not going to get a litter out of her this time around. I'll wait till the next time she comes in. My search continues for a stud that will match her dog work. she is hands down one of my best jump dogs. Not only that but she will bite chew dig and dig to get a rabbit out of a hole and SHE GETS THEM OUT!! as you will see in the video.

[rabbitsmoker]

Was that dog growling at you??

[Joeyman]

lol......I think so but their were other dogs near she growls them away from the rabbit. She's harmless though, tougher than she thinks she is. She sometimes likes to protect the rabbits. Also when she is at the hole she will growl away all other dogs near her.

We call her the grumpy old lady


How did your snow hunt go rabbitsmoker?

[RiverRat]

That was a cool video felt like I was right there.That daisy sure got a good head on her to find them rabbits like that.What is she out of?Congrats on the 300+ that is awesome .

[TallDog]

A great video Joey. I tried to track you via the video to your honeyhole but you did a good job hiding the highway signs. I got lost crossing the bridge. At first I thought you were headed west on I-44. Must have been going north though.

[MasonsBeagles]

what did that oppossum taste like?

[Bellmorekennels]

Again nice job joey, think you and dogs are ready for a snowshoe hunt up north in the snow!!!!

[mtthwvn73]

Awesome Videos. You've got some good dogs. I'm sure she'll make some great pups too. Not too many good rabbit hunting videos out there, nice to watch during the off season.

Matt

[Kerry Nelson]

You are the MAN! Can't shoot them on the couch! Nice video. Kerry

[warddog]

Did ya roast the grinner with potates and carrots?

[rinkydink]

Joey:

You know your circumstances best, but I would recommend you breed your beagle this cycle. you would have some pups that would be 9 months old by the end of next season and would be well started.

Breeding the next cycle will give you pups in the middle of next season(November) and your female will miss the best part of the hunting.

Just my recommendation, but, obviously, the decision is yours.

Congratulations on another good season. It still as some time left but this **** snow has messed it up for me.

Tom aka rinkydink

[Joeyman]

I just don't know where to find a little male like her to breed to. Won't be but a few more days and she'll take. Only wanting one pup out of the litter. I can not keep anymore than that. I need more time to look around I guess. I agree its perfect timing. Pups would be running late summer.