Hunting wild rabbits is a great way for a beginner to start hunting, as it requires patience, skill and cunning to be successful. It is important to learn the correct procedures and steps to follow to hunt rabbits, to ensure that the hunt is lawful and safe and productive. By learning how to get the right permits, get the right equipment and manage a real hunting trip, you will have a good chance of ending a profitable hunting season.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparing for the Hunt
Step 1. Obtain a hunting license
Rabbit hunters need a license from the state in which they hunt. Usually, this can be done by submitting an online request to the Ministry of the Environment. In some regions you will need to take a hunting and gun safety course or exam before you are licensed for rabbit hunting.
Update your license before the start of each hunting season to make sure you comply with the law. In many areas, children under the age of 14 can hunt without a license. Find signs that apply to your area if you are a minor, and only hunt with adult supervision
Step 2. Wait for the appropriate season
Depending on where you live, rabbit hunting can be limited to a particular season. Rabbit season usually begins in late fall and continues throughout the winter, although in some countries, such as California, rabbits can be hunted throughout the year.
It is also helpful to understand whether or not you can hunt rabbits in certain areas. Often, rabbit hunting is illegal in national parks, while in other areas it is permitted. If you have a specific area in mind, make sure it is legal to hunt there during a specific time of year
Step 3. Find out about the rule that limits the number of animals that can be hunted
Usually, more than six rabbits are not allowed to be hunted per outing. In some places, however, there are no limits to hunting small game, including pheasants, rabbits and other animals. Check your area guidelines to be sure.
Step 4. Learn to identify the rabbits to hunt
There are several species of rabbits and not all of them can be hunted. The Volcano rabbit, for example, is at great risk of extinction and should never be hunted, although it is very similar to white or "cotton tail" rabbits. It is important to identify the right species to hunt, to ensure that hunting remains legal and safe. In general, the following rabbit species have very healthy populations, belonging to the "least concern" category of wildlife conservation.
- White or cotton-tailed rabbits are the most common rabbits to hunt. There are several regional varieties of this species, which change slightly in appearance. White desert rabbits, for example, have very large ears, while swamp rabbits have smaller, sharper muzzles, more like those of rodents than rabbits themselves. The unique feature of the "cotton tail" rabbit, however, is its dark brown fur and its white cloud tail. If you see such a tail, then you are definitely faced with this kind of rabbit.
- American hares are distinguished by their thin, straight ears. American black and white-tailed hares are common in desert regions and are normally hunted. They have long legs and reach quite large sizes, making them an ideal target in some areas.
Step 5. Use a properly shaped and sized shotgun
Rabbits are usually hunted with shotguns, common rifles, pistols or even with a bow and arrow. For many hunters, 22-gauge shotguns are perfectly suited to rabbit hunting, but these guns can be difficult for a beginner to use. Rabbits are fast, so a smaller caliber shotgun can sometimes be your best bet.
- If you're using a shotgun, don't choose bullets heavier than a 20 gauge. Rabbits are small, so a more powerful bullet would be overly destructive.
- It uses steel shot of a size ranging from 6 to 7.5 mm. If you plan to eat the rabbits you hunt, be sure to remove all shot and use only steel, never lead.
Step 6. Check whether trapping is legal or not in your country
Historically, rabbits were hunted with the aid of bait traps, which were used to injure the animal and force it to stay in place, and then catch it later. Today, hunting rabbits with spring traps or other types of traps is illegal in many areas. It is more common to hunt them using firearms.
Catching rabbits with permanent traps is perfectly legal if done on your property. If you want to catch a rabbit, then, use a permanent trap
Part 2 of 3: Finding the Rabbits
Step 1. Learn where and what rabbits eat in your area
Rabbits live in all types of habitats and can proliferate and burrow in different environments. To learn where rabbits are in the area you hunt, talk to some local hunter to find out which high-traffic areas are safe to hunt. In general, you will often find rabbits burrowed in or around the following areas:
- Tall grass
- Clovers
- Deciduous fields
- Soy, wheat and alfalfa
- Gardens
Step 2. Get permission to hunt on a property
Wherever you decide to hunt, make sure you have permission to hunt and that you don't accidentally end up on private property. Walking around someone's property is a good way to find yourself in the middle of a complicated fight, so be careful to avoid these entanglements. Take the landowners around with you so you know the boundaries, or get a detailed map so you don't accidentally run off the property.
Hunting in national parks and nature reserves also requires a lot of precautions. Trigger-happy hunters should avoid high traffic areas
Step 3. Hunt very early in the morning or at sunset
Wild rabbits are most active in the morning or as soon as the sun begins to set. Like many other animals, rabbits feed when there is little light, so when the sun goes up or down, they will be more active during those hours. Dim light can sometimes be an obstacle to rabbit hunting, but you can train your eyes to point in the right direction to find their burrows.
Step 4. Get them outside
The most common way to hunt rabbits is to walk around slowly and let the sound of your trampling in the branches frighten them. Unlike deer hunting, which requires absolute silence, you have to make the rabbits hear you. Be quiet so that you can hear the movements, but don't worry about moving in absolute silence.
- A good way to move is to take 10 regular steps, then wait 30 seconds. Look on the ground for possible burrows and take a closer look for signs of movement.
- More often than not, the silent waiting period after footsteps and noise is what scares a rabbit the most. Be patient.
- If you are hunting with other people, try to stagger the steps so that not everyone is strolling at the same time. Wait to see your friend stop before you start moving. You can try to scare a frightened rabbit out to another party member to find him.
Step 5. Search for footprints
In snow, mud, or other humid environments, looking for rabbit footprints can be a great way to find an area that needs more exploration. If you see a variety of fresh rabbit footprints, retrace your steps, or try following them to find the burrow, called the "shelter".
Shelters are often built in shallow areas or in hollows, then leveled with grass, leaves or the same fur as the rabbit. They can be difficult to recognize, so it is more effective to keep an eye on the rabbits themselves
Step 6. Jump to different areas
Large hunting areas, once rich in rabbits, are becoming more and more difficult areas to hunt. Some hunters today prefer to go around multiple different areas, moving quickly to cover large spaces, rather than thinking of scaring off a few rabbits in the chosen area. Try to be patient, but also recognize areas that are too populated with hikers or other people to become a peaceful habitat for rabbits.
Step 7. Look for their eyes
White rabbits and others know how to disguise themselves very well. Old and experienced hunters know how to look for their bright eyes, rather than trying to see the whole rabbit. Seeing the rabbit before it sees you can help you prepare the weapon before the animal runs away.
Sometimes, the dark eye can stand out against the background, especially if the ground is snowy. Beware of the dark glint of the rabbit's eye
Step 8. Rely on the help of a good hunting dog
Four-legged hunter friends are great at scaring rabbits and helping you show them to you. Beagles in particular make excellent hunting dogs for rabbits, if you unleash them and let them bark hard. If you are a dog lover, consider using a hunting dog.
Dogs may also be good at looking for traces of injured rabbits and retrieving them. Using hunting dogs makes the whole job less tiring and a little easier. A properly trained hunting dog can increase your loot
Part 3 of 3: Hunting Safely
Step 1. Use the necessary security measures
When hunting, you must always be extremely careful and make your and all your companions' safety your number one priority. Whenever you hunt rabbits, be sure to bring the following things:
- Fluorescent orange vests. Even if you want to disguise yourself as you hunt, you will need to take into account the presence of other hunters on your hunt and other rabbit hunts. Orange hats and vests are usually available in sports stores and are essential for any type of hunting.
- Earplugs and safety glasses should be worn every time you shoot. Invest in a good pair of ear plugs and goggles and use them every time you use a firearm.
- Warm clothing, long-sleeved shirts and trousers are great for protecting you from the environment and from thorny brambles or other obstacles you may encounter along the way.
- Bring plenty of water, some emergency supplies and first aid material, especially if you go hunting far from towns or if the hunt lasts several days.
Step 2. Spread out with your hunting companions
If you hunt in a group, you will have to try to pay attention to the traces left by the other members of the group. Hunting accidents are common, but proper preventative measures and the use of your head will keep tragedies away from your next hunting trip. Whenever you hunt in a group, remember the following guidelines:
- Each must be at least 15 meters from the others, far enough away for the shots to be safe and accurate in the space allowed, but close enough to be able to see each other.
- Communicate efficiently. Talk continuously, or point out to each other if anyone goes out of the group. If you are about to fire, signal it by shouting "Mio" or using some other designated signal.
- Never shoot parallel to the ground. The rabbits are on the ground, which means that the rifle barrels must be pointed down each time. Under no circumstances will you have to fire a shot in the air or parallel to the ground if you don't want to injure someone. Do not do it.
Step 3. Learn to recognize the signs of a disease
Unfortunately, rabbits are often affected by bacterial infections and diseases, so you need to be on the lookout for an outbreak in the area, and learn to recognize the signs of contaminated meat, especially if you plan on eating the rabbits you catch.
Rabbits with tularemia, a common disease in small game, will move in strange ways. They will appear lazy and behave strangely, walking slowly and showing delayed reactions. This phenomenon is more common in extremely hot climates
Step 4. Clean the rabbits within hours of being caught
Depending on the circumstances, the environment, the number of rabbits hunted, you can clean the rabbits right away or wait for them to return home or camp. In cold climates (around 10 ° C), rabbits can keep for several hours. Since rabbit hunting seasons are often held during the cold period of the year, it is more common to clean the animals later.
- To clean a rabbit, you need a sharp hunting knife and your own hands. Start by making small cuts around the rabbit's "ankle" bones to remove the paws, then making a small incision along the back. Firmly grab the fur and pull it in the opposite direction, sliding it off like a jacket. It should come off pretty easily.
- When the fur is gathered around the rabbit's neck, you can use a knife to remove the head, or turn it firmly and peel it off. Use the knife to make a small incision between the rabbit's groin and rib cage, being careful not to puncture the chest cavity.
- Hold the rabbit with its paws facing the ground and use your fingers to pull out the entrails. It should be a fairly simple operation.
- Wash the rabbit cavity and dry it thoroughly. Once the meat is at room temperature, it should be cooled below 10 ° C as soon as possible. The meat can thus be stored for up to a week.
Step 5. Check the animals with the gamekeeper
Depending on where you hunted, you may need to keep some fur, or leave part of the rabbit intact for analysis, before taking it home. Make sure you are familiar with the rules of the area in order to fully comply with them.
Advice
- Wear an orange tunic and hat as you hunt, so you don't get accidentally hit by a bullet.
- Visit the command of law enforcement.
- Invest in a good shotgun sight.
- If you are in a group, spread out by standing side by side and communicate continuously so that you know where each of you is.
- If you are a minor, stay close to an adult.
Warnings
- Be sure to wear glow-in-the-dark orange garments so that you are also visible to other hunters in the hunting area.
- Even at low speed, a.22 caliber bullet can inflict a fatal wound.
- Tell someone where you are and where you plan to hunt.
