Hunting rabbits was an all-time favorite game of mineas with many other hunters whom I know. Every hunter has his own reason for hunting the small critters. If you’re a seasoned hunter like me, then you’ll know that hunting rabbits is as enjoyable as it is a profitable pastime.
On the flip side, if you’re an owner of a garden or a farm, then hunting rabbits is a way of controlling the pestilence that they trigger. However, this article was written for novices and in this article, you will know the best and efficient way on how to hunt rabbits.
Now, it’s established in the hunting hobby/profession a hunting dog will get you a long way when it comes to tracking down critters. Beagles, hounds, Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers; these are all the very best dog breeds for hunting.
However, the majority of us do not have dogs match for hunting or just do not want a pet companion. Thus, we will cross that’possess a hunting dog’ trick off the list at this time and focus on the standard manners.
Materials:
To hunt rabbits, you’ll want:
- A gun and ammunition
- Traps
- Hunting knife
- Bag
- Hunting permit
- Proper apparel
- Gloves
How To Hunt Rabbits
Step One: Prepare yourself and prepare your gear
The very first thing you need is a hunting license to be certain that you are hunting legally. Once you’ve secured your license, you’ll have to pick the ideal equipment, which will be contingent on the hunting method you choose.
If you are going to hunt, you’ll need to set your package. I advocate having ample quantity of food and water in your package, together with the necessities such as hunting gloves, knife, guns and ammo. Important: if you’re hunting with a group or hunting in a known hunting location where friendly fire is a risk, wear bright orange clothing.
Step 2: Pick your hunting process
When hunting rabbits, you can either install cubes or hunt them straight. Either way will demand patience and ability. However, you have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each option that you have.
When trapping rabbits, you can either use a live rabbit trap or a pitfall trap, which are the most effective and humane methods of rabbits rabbits. A live rabbit trap is essentially a spring loaded cage wherein you put your bait. When the rabbit enters your cage, the door will close and the rabbit will be not able to escape.
The same principle goes with pitfall traps, but in this trap, a rabbit is going to be lured into a tunnel having a spring loaded panel. After the bunny arrives in this panel, it will open and shed the rabbit into a pit. The principal difference between both would be: a live rabbit trap can grab 1 bunny at one time as a pitfall trap could catch many.
If you want to try a more primitive trapping method, there’s always a snare trap, a time tested method that also offers an obstacle, and allows you to discover a valuable skill that can be used in survival situations should you so happen to get lost in the jungle.
You’ll need 2.5 feet of wire or string, where you will tie a slip-knot. Use a pencil or a stick to look at the strength to ensure that the knot does not pull apart under mild pressure.
Next, find a sturdy pole and make a little hole at one end, which you’ll thread the end of your series through to secure the noose. Drive the opposite end of the stick into the ground as a stake. Use another smaller pole to maintain the loop of your noose and straddle it about 6-8 inches off the ground, preferably over a bunny path. A bunny should run through it and get caught in the neck from the noose and the stronger pole will tighten the noose, thus strangling your prey whilst retaining it in place that you find if you check your trap.
Trapping with any approach requires patience, but it is a worthy ability to have in your bag of tricks.
When using a gun to hunt rabbits, it’s essential that you use a very low caliber bullet (.22 for example) to entail minimum damage to the meat and fur. You are able to use hunting rifles or shotguns, but the efficiency of your shot will depend on your skill in aiming and shooting. That being said, choose the gun that’s most suitable for you. Furthermore, it’s also advised that you aim for the heart, lungs, or head of the rabbit to prevent the animal’s discomfort, and kill them quickly and as painlessly as possible.
You can use a few distinct sub-methods to push out your prey from their hiding spots, namely, ferreting, falconry, and extended netting.
Ferreting and falconry both utilize other creatures to hunt rabbits. Ferrets can dig holes and drive the rabbits out of the rabbit hole and into an waiting net. On the other hand, falconry is a much more complex procedure and requires careful and individual training of this bird. When done correctly, your hawk can discover how to hunt for you.
Last, long netting is a method wherein you catch rabbits with your own net. Basically, you’ll be setting up a perimeter with your web near the bunny hole, push the rabbits outside, then quickly grab them (or take them).
Step Three: Decide what to do with your catch
It’s necessary you know the local rules on the number of rabbits you can catch in 1 day. If you’ve caught only sufficient to abide by the law, decide what to do together .
If you’re hunting for profit or for food, you may field dress the bunny and market their fur or meat, or cook it right after. To do that:
- Pinch the bunny’s back and make a little cut.
- Twist your fingers beneath the cut and pull the skin apart; one hand moving towards the mind and another to the tail.
- Keep pulling until you’ve got the two parts of fur.
- Cut the skin on the belly and take out the bunny’s innards.
- Wash the bunny thoroughly.
- Remove remaining skin and fatty pieces.
- Cut your bunny for cooking. You can use the ribs for broth.
- A skinned rabbit, ready to cook
On the other hand, if you are a gardener or farmer just wanting to prevent the rabbits from eating your crops and also have used traps to catch your insects, call in pest management to take care of the rabbits that you have caught.
And there you have it! All the basic steps that you want to understand on hunting rabbits minus the use of a hunting dog. Recall: hunting is not an easy sport. It requires the basic characteristics of a hunter, that are patience, time, and skill. Always bear in mind that every hunter starts somewhere, and do not be discouraged when you don’t catch the bunny on the first try.
I hope you learned a lot from this tutorial. If you have any questions or ideas you want to share, feel free to put them in the comments below. In addition, don’t forget to share this article for other aspiring hunters out there.