Rabbit hunting or cottontail hunting is a kind of small game hunting, an activity involving the tracking, chase, and sometimes killing of a rabbit.[1][2]
Hunting of rabbits involving dogs (usually beagle or basset hounds) is called beagling.
Hunters without hounds have the following options. A hunter, alone or with a partner, walks through the possible locations of rabbit hiding places, kicking or stomping possible covers to chase the rabbit out. In winter an advantage is visible rabbit tracks after fresh snow. Unravelling tracks allows the hunter to locate the hiding place: if no tracks leave out of a suspected location, then the quarry is located. After this, hunters with short range arms (archers or the ones with small calibre) may scrutinize the location to find the rabbit and shoot it immobile. Alternatively, one may just as well scare the animal out and shoot it on the run.[3]
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United Kingdom
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In the UK the hunting of rabbits rarely involves dogs. The rabbit population is endemic in the UK.
The use of ferrets (domesticated polecats)in rabbit hunting is common.
First the hunter finds the rabbit warren. Once located the hunter lays down catch-nets over all the rabbit holes. The next step is to place one or two ferrets down the rabbit holes without disturbing the catch-net. Now the hunter waits, for a rabbit to run out of the warren into a catch-net.
Other methods include shooting with air-rifles or shotguns, the latter requiring a license.
Hunting seasons by location
See also
References
- ^ Rabbit Hunting: Secrets of a Master Cottontail Hunter, by Dave Fisher (2002) ISBN 0970749368
- ^ Rabbit Hunting: Stories and Techniques, by Charles Fergus, Paul Jukes (1985) ISBN 0910042500
- ^ a b Virginia Hunting Guide,by Bob Gooch (1985) ISBN 0813910412, Chapter "Small Game Mammals", pp. 151–163.
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