Rabbit hunt locations and times

[bhntr]

I would like to know of any rabbit hunts that usualy sportsman clubs or conservation clubs put on this winter.
Portland?
Cheif okemos?
Hubbardston? or any others not listed
Thanks Doug

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

Hey let me know if you find anything out I'm dying to find some more rabbit hunting spots

[bhntr]

These arent places to hunt but organizations that get a bunch of nice prizes together and then charge a entry fee. The hunters go out to where ever they have permission to hunt all on their own and bring back rabbits up to 5 ( the leagle limit) then you are given tickets for the drawings for each bunny brought in. You have to be signed in and back at the meeting place by a certain time. Its away for clubs to raise money and hunters to get together, Its kind of like the buck pole contests only with rabbits.

[dieseldude]

wow, that sounds cool , the only thing i ever heard of similiar to that "contest" is a predator hunt up near hubbard lake. the club award points bobcats ranking the highest and fox the lowest. the opening and closing thing is the same.
is the contest in the lower part of the state?

[bhntr]

The ones that Ive heard of are but there maybe others. I went to my first one last year. They gave away 5 guns and a table full of prizes. Also raffeled of others. I was looking for info on others that Ive heard of but never been to. But from the respnses it must be a secret. The places Ive listed are either a town or club name.
I've also heard that some clubs give away alot more prizes than others.
Michigan Traditional Bowhunters as well as Michigan Bow Hunters puts on something simular only with bows only and You get to hunt at the place you sign up. I think you also need to be a member and the MTB I think you can only use recurve or longbow. Not sure on what they give for prizes.

[mich buckmaster]

I would be up for a rabbit hunting outing this year here in the state game area around Vandalia. If anyone is interested let me know.

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

Never heard of that.
Sounds like a live Fire field trial.:D
I'm all about doing something like that.

Bhntr, Let me know if you find anything else out.
That would be great if there were some decent spots to hunt around the contest area.
I got four dog's that would bring in a limit pretty quick if they were in a good spot..

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

Are there some good rabbit hunting spots around there??

[Neal]

Rob- If I get out this year I'll give you a shout.....I have some good places in Howell and also Romeo area.

Neal

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

I'm ready.
My goal this year is to get out with some people new people and run the pup's in unfamiliar places.
These dog's are gonna be finished after this year so I wan't to get a ton of rabbits shot over them and get them used to hunting with differant people.
Makes them better dog's when you run them in compition hunt's
there not as stressed out..

[Neal]

Heck Rob, bring them to the Meet & Greet, we'll tie a rabbit skin on Les's rat tail and cut them loose:D

Neal

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

Then he would drop his expensive Beer trying to get away.
:D

[mich buckmaster]

There is some great rabbit country around there. I dont use a dog so 3 a day is a fairly good one. Occasionally I will get 5, but that is getting very ripped up in the BIG RED BRIARS. Man I hate those.

Look in the outing forum and see if people sould be willing to come for an outing. Just a thought.

[kroppe]

Robert,

I know of some good looking spots near Chelsea. I have bagged some bunnies in the area, but there is a new field I want to try (state land). I would like to meet up with someone with a dog(s), never hunted for rabbits with a dog before.

I usually hunt with my almost-8 yr old son (he doesn't carry a gun), so if that doesn't bother you it might be fun to give it a try.

I like hunting rabbits with a 20 gage single shot. I'm not a great shot with my semiautomatic .22, at a running rabbit. What guns do others use?

[wild bill]

i'am up for a bunny hunt. we usually go up to hale with a coworker and hunt snowshoes with dogs but he retired this summer and will be spending his winters in florida. so if anyone has a dog i know where to go.(hale/rose city area)

i'am like you kroppe. i use a single shot 410 on cottontails and a single shot 20 gauge on jacks.

[Neal]

Kroppe~ 8 year olds make GREAT dogs....:D

Neal

[Thunderhead]

Rob, check your PMs.

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

I'm up for it.
How about sunday.
I'm Booked up Friday & Saturday.
Send me a pm with your number and I'll give you a call.
I hunt alot in chelsea also. I got a couple spots out there.
But most of mine aren't that great.
As far as your son goes, I like to see youngsters out in the field.
Gotta keep the sport going.
Most of us use shotguns, ranging from 12-410 gauge.
22's work good to but it's just a little more dangerouse for the pup's.

Michbuckmaster, I'll come out for an outing and rabbit hunt.
Heck maybe we could get a few people out and hit some spots out your way. havent really hunted on the west side yet.

Wild bill,
Do you still have a place up there or do you rent a room?
I'll go up snow shoe hunting for a weekend maybe we could.
Get a couple guy's to go. Makes cutting them rabbits off alot easier.

[n.pike]

I found a swamp in Rose City full of snowshoes, let me know when you're up here.It doesnt appear to get much pressure,I didnt see anyone there all last season, but tons of rabbits.

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

It's already hard enough to stay at work :eek:
Sounds good. Maybe I could make it up over x-mas break and do some hunting with yeah..

[kroppe]

Robert,

Check your PMs.

[jefrat72]

Glad to hear there are others who rabbit hunt without a dog. I want to start rabbit hunting myself, but have no dog (yet). When I mention this to people they look at me like I'm nuts. Do you have any advice on hunting with out a dog? I was thinking of along the edges of fields, brush, and two tracks.

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

Man get a beagle or two.
You'll never regret it if you train them right.
You would never hunt w/o a dog again.
The best part of Rabbit huntinhg is listening to them run.

I'll help you if you are looking for a dog.

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

For those of you thinking about getting a beagles or who have friends that wan't a beagles.
First get a kennel set up. Doesn't have to be fancy just warm and dry and beagles proof ( they can chew through almost anything).
Next get a good training coller I suggest a Tritronic's with a one mile range.
Then get a young dog or a pup.
teach it that your it friend then teach it that the field is a place to have fun.
Then slowly start really training it.
If any body has any questions please ask.

[jefrat72]

Are you talking to me, or both of us? If me, I want to see if hunting rabbits is something I'll enjoy enough to justify a dog. I'd hate to get a rabbit lovin beagle then find out rabbit hunting isn't my thing. If I enjoy it enough, oh sure I'll get a dog.

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

Iwas just making a generalreponsetoall guy's whomight be thinking about getting a pup.
I would like tosee more people get into this great sport.

I guess it may not be for every body but most people who have ever had a good day behind some trained hounds has usually gotten the rabbit hunting bug..;)

[kroppe]

jefrat,

My strategy which has produced some rabbits, is to follow deer trails, if you are in the woods. If I am in a likely rabbit area, I stalk hunt along a deer trail, and rabbits usually pop out from their cover when I stop and listen for a minute. Areas like this are usually near mast trees (oaks, beeches, etc.) but adjacent to brushy cover.

On Saturday I hunted a nice corn field on state land and there was evidence of hunters and dogs walking the field edge. So I did the same thing and saw lots of rabbit tracks. However I saw no rabbits, I think because I was hunting during mid-day and the cover was thick. In this case a dog would have been really useful.

Later on Saturday I was walking some more deer trails and jumped a large rabbit, again with mature mast nearby and real thick brambles adjacent. The briars were so thick I couldn't mount the gun fast enough and could only get a hip shot off, which missed its mark. Had a great time each hunt.

p.s. In all cases where I have jumped rabbits, the ground has been fairly high/well drained. I have not found rabbits in swamps yet, but people say it's a good place to hunt in the winter when the swamps are frozen. We'll see.

[MBROOK]

I would agree with Robert. Once you hunt behind some good dogs you get hooked. My problem is I don't have a dog or have the place for one. I still rabbit hunt from time to time but it isn't as much fun as being out there with some good dogs.
If you try with out dogs keep in mind for your best chance you will be the dog. Get into the thick stuff. Carry a brush gun and plan to shoot from your knees. If you get a chance to hunt with someone who has dogs it is well worth it.

[Thunderhead]

I am planning on adding an addition to the house so Rob and his dogs have their own rooms. :D

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

That stopping every once in a while really triggers rabbits to jump that would normally hold tight and wait for you to walk by.

Hey I know what it's like not to have a dog.
When I first got out of the military I had to start all over again.:rolleyes:

I guess for me and a couple guy's I hunt with it is an addiction.
My girl always says she wishes shecould runa rabbit so I would spend as much time with her as I do my dog's:eek: :o :D .

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

You live in Rabbit heaven. I'd never leave :D

[Thunderhead]

That's the idea bro. ........lol It's really cool when total strangers hit it off as well as we did. Maybe quit our jobs and go into the rabbit guiding business? :)

[jefrat72]

Rob,
True, I think I'll enjoy rabbit hunting and in the future will get a dog. However you don't want everyone getting into it do you? Then it'd be like rifle deer season :eek: We had a beagle when I was a kid and he came up with every trick in the book to get free and bay rabbits, I think it would be fun to have a buddy so focused!

Kroppe,
Thanks, I really didn't consider deer trails I thought they liked more open areas. I'll take your advice and give it a shot (literally) hopefully this weekend. :D

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

Tom, I think that would be my dream job.

Jefrat72
It would never be like deer season.
It's way to much work for the average guy.
The dog's are a big commitment.

[jefrat72]

Ahhh... you said the magic word "work". So you are right, it would never be like deer season. ;)

[MBROOK]

I have a question as to what type of weather is best for rabbit hunting and when.
- Morning, mid day or evening
- After fresh snow
- Warm sunny days
- Windy
I'm just curious because I try to get out on my lunch hour and was wondering what type of weather do the rabbits prefer to out and about in?

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

This is a complicated question.
If you are not hunting with dog's I would say a warm front or a day after heavy winds would be best.
Wind really makes rabbits hold tight.
The type of weather or how cold or warm it is will
make rabbits move to differant types of cover.
I'd say though we usually do best right before dark during the winter.
Early morning is best with dog's because the beagles can follow scent trails the rabbits have left from the night before.
I have always liked hunting after a heavy rain also because there holes are full of water:D
they cant get away from the pup's.
During the hard winter months you find that you wont jump alot of rabbits in open fields and grass there in the thick swamps after they freeze over.

Last weekend almost every rabbit we jumped in saline was in a fence row not in the swamps yet.

[MBROOK]

Thanks for the reply
Thats kind of what I thought but I went out monday at noon and kicked up 2 rabbits (missed both).Monday weather was cool and windy. I went out Tuesday and didn't kick up any. Tuesday weather was warmer and breezy. Today at noon I thought I'd try a little Pat hunting. I flushed five birds and had no good shots (too much brush in the way). I also saw alot of rabbit tracks but didn't see any. I guess I'll keep trying and enjoy every opportunity I get.
Thanks again.

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

Your over by hastings huh?
I run in a couple field trials over there sometimes.
Do you have some good spots over there??

[MBROOK]

Acually I rabbit hunt in Borculo

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

By hastings?

[MBROOK]

Borculo is a small town (village) that is Northwest of Hastings.
Actually it is West of Grand Rapids, North of Holland and Zeeland area. Its in Ottawa County About 10-15 miles East of Lake Michigan.

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

I havent really had a chance to run on that side much...
Get alot of action over there??

[MBROOK]

I guess it all depends on what alot of action is considered.
Like I said I try to get out a lunch time. So for a 30 minute hunt if I kick up 2 rabbits I consider it pretty good. But I haven't done much rabbit hunting yet this year. A couple of years ago I hunted with a freind in an old apple orchard with his dogs. We ran at least 15 rabbits in about 4-5 hours. That I would consider alot. But I don't get out much on the weekends with him anymore do to me spending time with my family. I'm hoping by next year my boys (twin 4 year olds) will be ready to walk along with us.

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

Even with dog's alot of the spots around here will only produce 3-4 rabbits in a whole day.

[Backlash]

When ever we ( family ) go out and cut an x- mas tree there are always alot of bunny tracks around. I personally have never hunted on a tree farm before but seems like it would be an exellent place. What do you all think ?

[MBROOK]

I would think it would be worth a try. Never hurts to get outside and enjoy this wonderful land. If you do try it let us know how you do. There are alot of tree farms around here that I would consider getting permission to hunt.

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

Those rabbits go running out as fast as they can and usually are headed somewhere else. X-mas farms are a good place to eat but also a good place to get killed. The rabbits know that I usually go in with the pup's and have the exits surrounded as best we can. I just cut the place into sections and repeat the process.

[todumbeagles]

Have beagles, will travel. Sounds like a great opportunity to meet some new people, but it all depends on when you guys want to do it. The wife and I are expecting our first "real child" in 6 weeks. Doc already confirmed it wasn't tri-colored!!!LOL!!

[kroppe]

jefrat,

The deer trails on which I have moved rabbits are in transition areas which are not mature woods, but not open field. However they are adjacent to both. Sort of "low density brush" is one way to describe it.

However on Saturday I was following a deer trail through incredibly thick briars and I moved a rabbit. The thick briars were again within 30 yards of relatively open grass/weeds, but also 10-20 yards from mature trees. It got so thick I decided to bail out and get back on the trail. I don't have brush pants and I was getting thorned to death.

[bhntr]

I just got my Michigan Bow Hunter news. They will be having there 16th annual Rabitt hunt Jan. 12 2003 at the Pine river recreation club in Elm Hall MI. 9 miles west of Alma. MBH members only!( memberships available at the door $20.00) Bows with blunts or judo heads only. Cost $5.00 registratin 9- 10 hunt starts at 10 awards at 4.30 Trophy for the first and largest rabbit and door prizes. must wear hunter orange and have small game license and be a mbh member, archery equipment only. 135 acers of club grounds to hunt plus aditional property.

[jefrat72]

I see, well that sounds just like a couple of places i know of. Thanks for the info, good luck hunting!!