The Woman Hunter

Mandy · Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject: First Time Rabbit Hunting

Well, I finally went rabbit hunting. I have never been and I have to admit, I'm not sure if I like it. I didn't have the best experience, so I'm hoping that is why I didn't enjoy it as much.

We started hunting around 9:30am (which Geremy said was late, he thought) and there were four men and me. One of the guys had an older beagle and 2 pups. One of the pups would have been just as happy staying in the dog box. The other pup, I think, will be a good dog. A rabbit was hiding in a hollow tree and the pup found it.

Anyway, we were in prime rabbit territory, I was told, that hadn't been hunted in several years. YES! We should see lots of rabbits. WRONG! We hunted for 6 hours and saw maybe 8 rabbits. I was disappointed. Is this normal to only see a few?

I didn't feel good yesterday and I think that may have played a part in the hunt, too. But, I also just felt out of place. The guys were all standing around talking and I was watching the dogs run around smelling. I turned around one time to see if they were going to follow the dogs, too and all of them were staring at me like I was crazy. HELLO!!! I thought we were rabbit hunting. That is why I was there, anyway. Plus, my gun wasn't working properly and that made me mad. I missed 3 easy shots on rabbits because of my gun Mad

Since this was my first rabbit hunt, I don't have anything to compare it to and I really would like to try it again, but if this is how it normally is, I may just stick to big game and birds Confused

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Mandy - Editor for Woman Hunter Magazine

Kate · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:52 pm Post subject:

First thought?
You were sadly under-dawged!
You had *maybe* one & 1/4 hounds & needed 4 or 5.
Just guessing;I wasn't there.
Laughing

Woman Hunter · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 3:32 am Post subject: Why I Love Rabbit Hunting

Hi Mandy,

I apologize that it has taken me so long to reply to your post about rabbit hunting. After all I love rabbit hunting and want to encourage you to keep going.

Rabbit hunting, like all forms of hunting, has fruitful and fruitless days. On good days I have shot my limit (5) and on bad days I have come home empty handed. What I love about rabbit hunting is that regardless of the harvest, I always enjoy the experience. Why?

Dogs - I love watching the dogs. It's incredible to see a really good dog work!
Scenery - I love to see snow that has been untouched except for the tracks of a recent rabbit. I have seen some of the most heavenly sights while rabbit hunting.
Exercise - I always feel refreshed after a day of rabbit hunting. The heck with a thigh master!
Camaraderie - I enjoy hunting with others and rabbit hunting is the perfect group hunting sport.
Effortless – Doesn’t matter if you are coming from church or work, you don’t have to worry about perfume or makeup. You can just throw on your hunting clothes and grab your gun.

There are so many factors that can contribute to a successful hunt.

Weather - In my experience, sunny days are the best. When the weather is bad, you’ll have to stomp the rabbits out of the wood piles to get them to move.
Dogs - There are some dogs that just are not meant to hunt and inevitably someone always bring them anyways. I have had a bad dog cost me a rabbit more than once.
Location – I’ve had the most success on tree farms. I swear that rabbits on public land are smarter. Well, at least it seems that way. Laughing

Predators – We have noticed that the rabbit population on our property is down this year. Yesterday morning I spotted a fox. Undoubtedly, he has been having his fun with the rabbits.
Skill - Rabbit hunting does take practice. You have to learn when to hold tight and when to move up. The more you practice the more familiar you will become with the rabbits patterns.

Today I went rabbit hunting with my husband and his friend, Jim. What were our results?
Jeff - 2
Lisa - 1
Jim – 0

In wasn’t our best day, but I was grateful that I took the time away from this computer and my hectic life to enjoy my favorite sport.

I wish you were here as we are planning several ladies rabbit hunts.

Oh. And yes, most people rabbit hunt at first light (around 7:30 AM here) and two hours before dark. However, I have had days where the middle of the day was just as good.
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Lisa C. Snelling
The Woman Hunter

AnewMe2B · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 3:45 am Post subject:

Lisa, thanks for elaborating on rabbit hunting. I am definitely going to have to try this. We have little rabbits here and some places there are more than others. I see most of them right at sundown here.

Hopefully in the near future I will get the opportunity. Great post--thanks for sharing it.
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My favorite verse: "So now, I pray you, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out into the open country and hunt game for me..." Genesis 27:3
My favorite quote: You are never too old to be what you might have been. George Eliot 1819—1880.

Mandy · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 9:21 am Post subject:

Yes, Lisa, Thanks for posting about rabbit hunting in depth. It is something that I have always wanted to try, but just hadn't taken the time to do so. I am trying to venture into different types of hunting and shooting and posts like this definitely give me the confidence that I can do it. Having never participated in certain kinds of hunts, an unsuccessful hunt would discourage me and seem bad, but these posts help me to understand the experience and look forward to the next one!! Thanks again. Very Happy

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Mandy - Editor for Woman Hunter Magazine

Turkystalkr · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:35 pm Post subject: snow shoes

Lisa:

Have you ever hunted snow shoes? I was perusing online and found a neat guide service in Maine that does snow shoe hunts and for a pretty resonable ticket alson. I think it would be a neat hunt to try. ANY hints...thanks Elise

Woman Hunter · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:33 am Post subject: Snowshoe Rabbit Hunting

Elise,

I have never been snowshoe hunting, but would love to go! If you get time, can you post the link on Maine outfitter?

I think I'm going to start a new fad similar to a turkey grand slam except for rabbit hunting. What do you think my fellow rabbit hunters?

Cottontails
Jack Rabbits
Snowshoe Rabbits
.
.
.
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Lisa C. Snelling
The Woman Hunter

Shannon · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:21 pm Post subject:

That would be awesome!

We had an awesome year for rabbit's last year, but this year just did not work out well for us. It seemed the day's we could go, the weather was not cooperating. We'll probably go out Saturday, and then have a good spot lined up for Sunday after church. Hopefully, it'll produce and we can end the season with a bang. (yes, pun intended)

My brother-in-law shot a snowshoe when we were in the Upper Peninsula last October duck & partridge hunting. He stopped, saw something wiggling it's nose at him, and that was the end of that bunny. We yelled through the trees, "you got a bird?" And he was like, "No, but I just shot the biggest rabbit, EVER!" LOL! We ended up taking one woodcock, one snowshoe, one mallard, one wood duck, and one partridge that weekend. lol. Talk about mixed bag!
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If at first you don't succeed, reload.

Turkystalkr

Hey Lisa:

Here you go as requested. The guide service/lodge that does the snow shoe hare hunts in Maine. They also do Bear, Moose, White tail, bobcat and coyote.

If anyone is interested and has spare time and flexibility. Laughing

Yeah right!! they have a one day hunt posted for one day available only. March 31st, Monday for $100.00 per person that includes lodging and the hunt...

Pine Grove Lodge http://www.pinegrovelodge.com

Enjoy: Elise

Turkystalkr · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 1:40 pm Post subject: Happy Valentines day!! LOL

Ok Girls:

Dave and I are gonna have a super Valentines get a way. Were heading on up to Maine, that lodge I told you about in my prior posts. Were are actually doing a combo hunt with them on V day. Gonna head out snow shoe hunting (8a)come in about 4p, have a romantic dinner then head out coyote hunting till midnight. Now that's redneck romance at it's best.LOL Laughing

And YES girls I am going to speak to the owners while up there and give them Lisa's contact info and hopefully they will put together a girls hunt package for us!!! Gonna see this outfitter at the sportman's show in Springfield that Alyce and I are working at for our guide service. So if I can't squeeze them hard enough while Dave and I are up there, you bet I'm gonna lean on them during the 4 days of the show. I need hints on this snow shoe thing girls!! Never been before and wanna be on the ball with them. Any who .. Here's thier link again. Keep your fingers crossed that I can smooze them for us...

www.pinegrovelodge.com
1-866-672-4011 (toll free).

thanks ladies. Elise