Rabbit Hunting
 

For me, yesterday was my last hunt for rabbit in Kentucky this season. Rabbit hunting is an old family tradition and I still carry it on. I like the comraderie, the baying of the hounds, packs of beagles and the friendly competition between the hunters. Just wondering if we have any other beaglers out there in Parker land? How was your season?

Our season is still open till sometime in March ,but we haven't had a Beagle in 5 years ,my Drhathaar will push them out and bay on them but it's not the same ...he's too big to keep up in the thick brush ,but give him a wide open and he'll catch one as I've seen him do twice .

You're right though Mike ,it is an awful lot of fun with a good Beagle.

Robin Lewis and I have done it a couple of times up near Berlin, NH in very deep snow.
The first time our guide used Swiss Hounds. They look a lot like beagles but have longer ears and much longer legs. They certainly have an advantage over beagles in deep snow. We had a great time listening to the dogs in heated pursuit of those snowshoe hares.
The second time was behind beagles in deep and crusty snow and it was a bit sad to watch as a couple of the dogs left their own blood trails. I wouldn't mind doing it again but in less snow to make it easier on the beagles.

I have fond memories of hunting rabbits back in the 70-s here in north eastern ohio with some wild roosters too. My brother had a great beagle named Jack. I had a Ranger 12 ga 28" with a single non selective trigger that my dad gave me when I was 11 or 12.....I remember it being 10lbs! and if your shot was too close...)-: hamberg! I never did very well with it. My brother was given a svelt little Fox 20ga. savage SW with English grip...now that was a bunny gun! We did not have much money in them days and I could not weight till I could get a little pump 20ga. I got a job a Woolworth Harvest House rest. and I was able to save up for a Hi Standard pump 20ga and brand new from the gun dept. I did much better with that shotgun! That was about 1971 a friend from the old naborhood still has that pump gun...I should go buy it back. I tripled on mallard drakes one day I jumped from a backwash at Pine lake. What a day that was....SXS ohio

Great memories hunting them with Savage 22/410 over-and-over in Southern Illinois as a kid. It's sad that when I visit Illinois I don't see as many beagles or coon hounds in yards as when I was a kid. So many positive times with friends, neighbors and family running the dogs, I'm sorry so many of our young kids will miss such great experiences.

Dean I've never seen a Swiss hound. I'll check that out.
Kenny there's some good rabbit hunting in spots down here in southwest ohio. My first double was an old ranger 20 ga.
George it's the same here with the beagles. Most guys are only after deer and turkey. Rabbits seem to be getting a little more plentiful

rabbit hunting was good in my youth too..i guess i have backslid on my rabbit hunting i aint been in a coupla years now...aint had a beagle in many years but did enjoy the chase with them for sure...i think double barrel guns and old cars maybe the reason i aint been bunny hunting lately...charlie

Had a bunny living in my front yard last spring and summer. Haven't seen it in a couple of months. Now there is a stray cat hanging around.

I hunt with a friend who has a pack of beagles using my 26in 20 ga Trogan. Our season ends the end of February. Carvel

I'll shoot a stray cat a heck of a lot quicker then I'll shoot a rabbit .