6 replies to this topic

[TheRoman1]

Alright, so I've been out quite a few times in the last week during the heat of the day because of all these night shifts I've been doing. I poked around Estelle Mountain and the Cleveland NF (Trabucco Dist). I see rabbit droppings everywhere but no rabbits. I stalk, I peak, I penetrate into thick brush, I sit and wait, I do little mouth calls, etc. NOTHING! Today I was nearly drowning in fresh rabbit droppings but I simply couldn't find the buggers. Granted, in CNF the brush is thick and one can't really see more than a few feet through the underbrush. I suppose these cottontails really do know how to hide.Do these rabbits have underground holes they hide in? Or maybe they hear me coming from far away and manage to scurry away without me hearing. But I've come upon rabbits within close range before without them noticing me until last minute (which consequently caused them to die). However, these were during the evening, so perhaps they we out and about more than during the day. How much does your noise matter when hunting rabbits? I tried hunting in an oak forest but the ground was a solid layer of dry leaves, making my steps like walking on dry cereal. I wondered if that led to my seeing no rabbits. Anyway, I guess I should simply quit trying to find rabbits during high noon out in the wilderness. I feel like I still have a mountain of experience, intuition and general animal bahavior knowledge to acquire before I ever get really good at this. Once again, if anyone's ever headed out, drop me a line and I'll join you!

[CoyoteHuntress]

Well they are experts at hiding.. When we are over in Nevada during the day you cant hardly kick up a bunny.. But when it cools off all the sudden they just pop out all over the dang place..

[Bozsik]

Cottontails hole up during the day. Jacks are out all the time. Early morning and evening are the best times for Cottontails.db

[wannakillacoyote]

A good way to flush Jacks is get a few of your friends with shotguns. Stand in a line like 20' apart and start walking in the same direction. If there are Jacks there, with the extended coverage you guys will stir up Jacks. You end up covering a much larger area than trying to jumpshoot Jacks on your own. This can work on cottontails as well, but they like the early mornings and evenings more. Around here we have a LOT more Jacks than Cottontails, but we are still in a drought so we have a lot less than we used to.

[fakawee]

Also, when it's hot like it has been, check the shady side of the brush or boulders. I've seen them just laying there in the shade-panting like a cat. Be careful sneaking around in the heat so you don't run into Mr. Rattler!!!

[neocone]

Learned the hard way: Thick brush + heat + poison ivy + shorts = no fun for 4 week!And yes it's like walking on cereals. Must have made a service to the deer hunters on the other side of the hill by scaring the critters to them.

[Thumper Dunker]

Get a dog to flush the jacks for you but your going have to train him to flush not chase them. Morning and late after noon is best.