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Got out this afternoon for some Hare hunting in the Hemlock swamp. It is an annual ritual for me... Jan through March. The numbers are way higher this year than last year, lots of runways and sign. Was able to spot 1 in hiding... and jumped a 2nd.

Headshots are key for easy cleaning and minimize waste - though they don't make for pretty pics!!
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Close-up image...
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I'm sure I walked past another 10. They are Masters of camouflage.


O4T

There's nothing like the smell of Rabbit stew.....


I'll be out snaring some of those fine tasting critters soon enough

i will be getting out this sunday in the marlborough ,cant wait for sunday

can anyone fill me in on hunting rabbit? Other than elmerfud, i've no idea where to begin doing it.

Technique, gun, load, do you need orange on?

The same loads as for grouse are good, med power 7.5's, or if you are stillhunting alone a 22 is good. It is tough to bag very many without a beagle that rabbit hunts though. Orange is a must too.

Hookup wrote:can anyone fill me in on hunting rabbit? Other than elmerfud, i've no idea where to begin doing it.

Technique, gun, load, do you need orange on?

Snowshoe hare - as Tlunge said, beagles are great. But hunting without a dog is quite a lot of fun too.
With dogs - challenge is the shot -running bunny through thick cover. They can really motor too!
Without dogs - challenge is spotting the hare in it's form before it bolts- the shot is easy.

Where to hunt - I prefer edges of swamps that have dead trees and weeds sticking through the ice, must be lined with conifers. Hunt in the thick conifers along the edges of the swamp. The snowshoe hare will usually be about 20ft from the edge, hiding under a branch or up against a tree trunk under snaggy brush and brambles.

Find the runways, and you will be close to a hare. When you see "rabbit raisins" under the low hanging branches, you're in the money. Look for the eye- a dark circle against a white backdrop.

As for orange, it is a good idea - esp when hunting with others. It is not the law AFAIK.

I use #6 lead mostly, allows headshots on the still ones and a pattern on the running.

Have fun!! When you spot your first snowshoe without a dog, you'll be thrilled. I've been hunting them for quite a few years, and I still get excited when I spot one...

Yes it is fun to walk around and spot one for sure, I use a 22 when I am doing that usually. A large hunting area is good for that too so you can cover alot of area and hopefully have some success.
They tend to freeze, even kinda out in the open and seem to think that you can't see them even if you walk up within a few yards they still may stay there. It happened to me when I was deer hunting a few years ago and for fun I tried to get as close as I could before it ran....well i got within one foot! and was going to grab it by the ears but I figured it would bite me lol!