Rabbit hunting

[cole1lc]

Anyone heading out this weekend for hares in the Emmet County area? With little to no snow it might be interesting.

[Jumpshootin']

I'll be out after them in Kalkaska County this weekend. I was out today and snow is 50% gone. But there will be snow for the weekend hunt. Forecast is for up to 6" starting tonight through Fri. afternoon.

[timberdoodle528]

How's your pup doing? Shoot any bunnies over him yet this year?

[Jumpshootin']

How's your pup doing? Shoot any bunnies over him yet this year?
He's coming along well, though I haven't been able to shoot one for him yet. I'm trying to bag one so he can get a mouthful of fur. It's hard to jump and get a shot at a hare in thick cover. They usually move out ahead rather than sit tight.
He's not really running them yet. He tries though. Hasn't opened up yet, but has whimpered a few times on track. He will try to trail them, and the last couple times out won't give up so easy when he loses the line. He keeps going back over the area trying to pick it up.
I was in some pine plantations today and he got hot a few times and took them out 50 yds. or so. But he would lose them when they went from bare ground to the hard crusty snow. I was sure he was going to open up on the first one he took out because he was under a low tree wagging his tail when he let out a whimper and then took it out fast for 150' or so. Making two turns in the process.
I have a friend down in the Edmore area who has a 40 acre starting area for his Beagles. I've been down there a few times in the last month. Last Saturday I jumped 4 cottontails and the pup got on each one and took them right out. (of course being a pup he was looking to other way when each one popped up) He was on one for over 100 yds. and tried to pick up the check for about 10 minutes.
I need to get him somewhere where there is a good number of cottontails so I can jump and shoot one or two.
These pine plantations have a few hares in them but I'll be hard pressed to get any shots unless they are ahead of running dog(s).