Hunting Hares - I Need Lessons

[Smokepole]

Not sure what I did wrong.  I busted my hump and bucked the snow.  Saw tracks all over the place, but no hares.  It was a great day outside, but if somebody wants to throw a few tips my way, I'm all ears!

[wadu1]

Smokepole, You don't look like a Lab guy but more of a Beagle, that bread would really help you find bunnies'. you should have had your tinderbox in your pack with flint, steel and char no need to get dirty foraging for fat wood.  

[Smokepole]

I bet those beagles would really get the job done.  But this is my 6th Lab, so I'm afraid I'm hooked on them.  She's a bird dog at heart.  Yup I had my fire kit with me with garwood and waxed paper.  But how do you pass up a good stump?  I live in fatwood heaven.

Unfortunately, I suck at rabbit hunting!

[jrebel]

I wish I could help but I know very little about rabbit hunting as a whole.  I will say that when I find a spot that has rabbits (usually by complete chance and while driving), they are there year after year and in large quantities.  Most of the area's I have found have very heavy alder tangle mess of crap on the side of an old road or trail.  Those wascally wabbits don't like to be in the open for long. 

[KFhunter]

I ain't had much luck either this year, remember back in the day we'd shoot em with bows, but this year they either got smarter or there's just not enough of em.

One short little road we named "rabbit road" we'd see a dozen or more, and usually get 3-4 each time.


They gotta be pretty thick to hunt em and get a few in the pack.


Watching your vid, I'd drive around looking for 'orders of magnitude' more tracks.

[Smokepole]

Solid advice.  The only hares I've shot was while deer hunting.  I'll try thicker cover with more sign next time.

[Skyvalhunter]

Any day out there is better than a day at work!!!

[Smokepole]

Any day out there is better than a day at work!!!

Yes sir!  It was a great day.  So quiet you could hear the snowflakes hit the ground. 

[jackelope]

I can't say I've ever hunted snowshoes, but cottontail hunting is pretty big business where I grew up. If we didn't have hounds available, we used to just find brush piles or thickets and jump hunt them. Pretty much always had a couple of us. One to beat the brush and one to shoot.  We'd get a few. Beagles are way more effective, and crap tons of fun.

[KFhunter]

Trick to hares is getting them before they jump, unless dogs of course.

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[Smokepole]

Trick to hares is getting them before they jump, unless dogs of course.

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KFhunter, the only hares I've ever taken were standing motionless.  That's what I was hoping to run into with my .22.  A couple years ago while mushroom picking, I stepped on a snowshoe hare hiding in a bush.  I actually stepped on the bush and he got trapped by the branches.  He hopped about 20 feet then sat there for the longest time.  Apparently, it's not that easy during hunting season!

I was hesitant to use my dog to flush them.  Just got her dialed in for grouse, and I want it to stick.  I think she would retrieve one without letting it go to her head.  But chasing them could screw her up, I think. 

[KFhunter]

We had labs, fantastic in the blind and fetched any grouse you put down.

And hell on rabbits, actually catch a few we didn't shoot and brought them to us.

If you get a dog on rabbits they'll still hunt feather, but they won't ever turn off rabbit.

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[RobinHoodlum]

Good for you for getting out and extending the hunting season!

My experience with hares is exactly as Jebel advised. I practically lived on them, for two field seasons up in Canada in the mid 1990s. Had a dalmation at the time that I trained to bust brush around pothole ponds. I stayed put either at a high point or open area and shot with a .22 when they thought they were in safe spot from the dog.

Depending on how you want your dog to work upland birds (e.g. flushing within shot range), you may not want to encourage chasing rabbits. I'm not an expert however and every dog and situation is different.

[CastleRocker]

There isn't many things more fun than hunting Cottontails with a beagle!  A good friend of mine had a beagle named "Dumas" that was awesome.  Still have my old side by side 410 that I used.  We'd just walk down the two track roads, and the dog would chase them in a big circle.  We'd get ready when we heard the dog dog coming, and the bunnies would go smoking across in front of us.  We spent a lot of our hay money on shells, because we missed a LOT!  Sure do miss that sound of a good beagle running rabbits.

[KFhunter]

My Britts aren't getting much grouse action, veeery tempted to run em on hares.

THAT would be a hoot, they're so fast.

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[jrebel]

My Britts aren't getting much grouse action, veeery tempted to run em on hares.

THAT would be a hoot, they're so fast.

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Boy if your brits are as strong willed as the one you sold me......those rabbits wouldn't stand a chance.  Our young lady is the most independent dog I have ever owned.....almost to a fault.  Can't wait for spring snow to melt so I can get her on sheds up at the property.  I'm gonna have to run a GPS tracker for the first year so I can find her....when she gets her mind set on something she doesn't like to listen very well.      The neighbors field is loaded with quail and she now knows it...at least I know where to find her when she bolts out of the fence.   

[KFhunter]

Ya, they're high drive hard charging dogs.




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[KFhunter]

I just know my dam would be barking her head off bringing that hare back around once I released her.

My stud doesn't bark a peep though, not sure he'd be a good chase dog.


I let the pigeons fly,  they circle the house and she barks at them as they circle.

In the field no bark until I release her off point, then bark bark bark chasing,  unless I shoot it or call her back.




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[Smokepole]

We had labs, fantastic in the blind and fetched any grouse you put down.

And hell on rabbits, actually catch a few we didn't shoot and brought them to us.

If you get a dog on rabbits they'll still hunt feather, but they won't ever turn off rabbit.

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Thanks Kfhunter.  I had a chocolate lab that got a nose for squirrels.  We would be grouse hunting and sniff a squirrel and forget what planet she was on.  It was so annoying, because squirrels were everywhere.  Not sure if this dog would do that with rabbits???

[Smokepole]

Good for you for getting out and extending the hunting season!

My experience with hares is exactly as Jebel advised. I practically lived on them, for two field seasons up in Canada in the mid 1990s. Had a dalmation at the time that I trained to bust brush around pothole ponds. I stayed put either at a high point or open area and shot with a .22 when they thought they were in safe spot from the dog.

Depending on how you want your dog to work upland birds (e.g. flushing within shot range), you may not want to encourage chasing rabbits. I'm not an expert however and every dog and situation is different.

Good advice.  I want to hunt near some ponds and try to find heavier sign.  If this works out, It'll be a way to kill some time until turkey season.

[Smokepole]

There isn't many things more fun than hunting Cottontails with a beagle!  A good friend of mine had a beagle named "Dumas" that was awesome.  Still have my old side by side 410 that I used.  We'd just walk down the two track roads, and the dog would chase them in a big circle.  We'd get ready when we heard the dog dog coming, and the bunnies would go smoking across in front of us.  We spent a lot of our hay money on shells, because we missed a LOT!  Sure do miss that sound of a good beagle running rabbits.

Awesome.  Sounds like a hoot.  Dumas...

[konradcountry]

Hike in the woods without a gun or a dog.

Works for grouse too.

But seriously I would start a brushpile next to a water source.

[Smokepole]

I'm an expert rabbit man during the off season.  Can't seem to find them when it counts.  I'm thinking off breaking out my bushwhacker skis and shooting my single six.  They're in the deep snow and thick brush!

[Skyvalhunter]

It really is amazing how a person can go out there in the snow and theres tracks everywhere. I will say 90% of the time they show up on my trail cam at the salt its in the dark. Might be time for a spot light hunt huh?

[jackelope]

They’re most active dawn and dusk. You really have to bust them out of cover during the day. They won’t travel far because they want to keep themselves safe from predators IE death from above. Absolute Bottom of the food chain.

[Skyvalhunter]

I remember when I was in High school and we used to play Friday Harbor in BB. We would stay the night at one of the other players homes as we played Orcas or Lopez the next day. One year after the game they took me and an0other player out rabbit hunting by spot light. But it was with a shot gun and they blasted them all over the place. My uncle had property on Friday Harbor island across from Roach Harbor. On the drive in at night I never seen so many rabbits in my life. Ok I have rambled on.

[WSU]

Can you hunt them at night?

[KFhunter]

Prohibited Hunting Methods

[http://www]WashingtonHunting

Hunting with artificial lights (RCW 77.15.450):Hunting big game with the aid of an artificial light, spotlight, or night vision equipment is prohibited. Night vision equipment includes electronic light amplification devices, thermal imaging devices, and other comparable equipment used to enhance night vision.

Using night vision and laser sights (WAC 220-414-010): It is illegal to hunt deer or elk with the aid of infrared night vision equipment or with laser sights (not to include range finders) capable of projecting a beam onto the target, while in possession or control of a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow.

Shooting at wild animals or wild birds (WAC 220-413-080): While they are on any utility line, pole, its crossarm or insulator is prohibited.

Using aircraft (WAC 220-413-070):It is illegal to:

Use an aircraft, including unmanned aircraft to spot, locate, or report the location of wildlife for the purpose of hunting.

Hunt big game on the same day you were airborne for any purpose, except for a regularly scheduled commercial flight.

Hunt game animals, game birds, or migratory birds on the day one has operated an unmanned aircraft.

Aircraft, boats, or motor driven vehicles (WAC 220-413-070): Using aircraft, unmanned aircraft, boats, or motor driven vehicles to pursue, concentrate, or harass wildlife is prohibited. This includes ATVs. Hunting from boats with motors is permitted if the motor is off and it is not contributing to the boat’s propulsion.

Using a motor vehicle (WAC 220-413-070): It is unlawful to hunt wildlife from a motor vehicle, exceptions: see Persons with Disabilities.

Negligently discharging a firearm (RCW 77.15.460): From, across, or along the maintained portion of any public highway, regardless of surface, or from within a moving vehicle or moving off-road vehicle is prohibited. Hunters with disabilities with a vehicle identification placard, in compliance with WAC 220-413-140, may discharge a firearm or other legal hunting device from a non-moving motor vehicle that has the engine turned off.

Party hunting (WAC 220-413-040):Party hunting is defined as shooting at or killing big game or turkeys for another, killing big game or turkeys with the intention of having another person tag the animal; or tagging a big game animal or turkey that another person has killed.Party hunting is illegal for big game and turkey, except for hunters with disabilities who have a designated hunting companion as defined in WAC 220-413-140.

Failure to tag properly (WAC 220-413-020):It is unlawful to fail to immediately cut out and remove the month and day of the kill on your tag. You cannot use a tag for an animal you have killed with a tag that is not yours (except under WAC 220-413-140). See Tagging & Transporting Game for tagging requirements.

Using dogs:

(WAC 220-413-060): Hunting wild animals (except rabbits and hares) with dogs (hounds) during the months of October or November during the dates established for modern firearm deer or elk general seasons in eastern and western Washington is prohibited.

(RCW 77.15.240): Allowing a dog, owned or controlled by you, to pursue or injure deer or elk or to accompany you while you are hunting deer or elk is prohibited.

(WAC 220-413-060): Hunting or pursuing any big game animal, bobcat, or coyote with dogs is prohibited, except cougar during cougar management removals authorized by the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Hunting during modern firearm deer or elk seasons (WAC 220-413-060):You may not hunt wildlife during any modern firearm deer or elk season, with any firearm .24 caliber or larger or containing slugs or buckshot for big game, unless you have a valid license, permit and tag for one of the following: deer, elk, black bear, cougar, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, or moose.During any modern firearm deer or elk season, it is illegal to hunt any wildlife after legal hunting hours.

Prohibited firearms/hunting methods (WAC 220-414-020):It is illegal to:

Hunt game birds with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells.

Hunt game birds with a rifle or pistol, except forest grouse.

Hunt game birds or game animals with anything other than a firearm, a bow and arrow, a crossbow, or by falconry. Bullfrogs may only be taken by angling, hand dip netting, gigging, and bow and arrow.

Hunt game animals or game birds with a shotgun larger than 10 gauge.

Hunt any big game with a fully automatic firearm.

Hunt turkey with a weapon other than shotgun shooting #4 or smaller shot, bow and arrow, crossbow, or muzzleloader shotgun shooting #4 or smaller shot.

Using decoys and calls (WAC 220-414-090):It is illegal to hunt turkey, deer and waterfowl with the use or aid of electronic calls and battery powered or other electronic devices as decoys.

Radio-telemetry equipment (WAC 220-414-010):It is illegal to use radio-telemetry equipment to locate and hunt wildlife with transmitters attached to them.

Night hunting (WAC 220-413-060):It is illegal to hunt wildlife at night during the months of October and November in any area open to modern firearm deer or elk hunting.



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[KFhunter]

Looks legal to me, not big game.

Except oct and November

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[Skyvalhunter]

that's how I read it. Weird how on page 81 under hunting hours they only list Bobcat & racoon as being exempt.

[KFhunter]

Crap,  I didn't think about legal hunting hours.



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[GWP]

They’re most active dawn and dusk. You really have to bust them out of cover during the day. They won’t travel far because they want to keep themselves safe from predators IE death from above. Absolute Bottom of the food chain.

I don't know about that! I work by an airport and bush bunnies are running around all the time! There are a LOT of them.
 
There are a few places I have upland hunted that had a bunch, but usually, if you are trying for them they seem to go invisible. Good eating!

[Smokepole]

Yeah I did read the regulations on hunting with dogs and .22 caliber rifle.  It is confusing to say the least.  I deciphered it was o.k. to do so.  It looks like hunting forest grouse would be illegal during open modern seasons.  I wouldn't take my dog out then anyway, but I wonder how permit hunts figure into it.  That's a gray area.

[Skyvalhunter]

With the exception if you tagged out on your deer or elk. I would think hunting forest grouse would be ok then as long as your not hunting forest grouse with a rifle. I can see what they are trying to do with these new restrictions and that's removing that GREY area

[Smokepole]

The way I read it, hunting any wild animals with dogs would be in violation during those times -- including pheasants, ducks, and geese. 

[shootem]

I grew up shooting snowshoe hares in northern Michigan and had a blast. The very best time and method is hunting without a dog, no snow, after they had turned white. Some might call it cheating but my .22 did not.

[Smokepole]

Shootem, that would be cool.  We might still be covered in snow on March 15 when it closes.  I will be ready, just in case!