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Rabbit huntin' with Beagles....
- Thread starter gizamo
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We had beagles growing up and hunting rabbits with them is a blast. We always made it more of a informal type hunt, it was pretty leisurely and a good way to get kids involved in hunting. Up your way I assume you are going after hares? Only difference I found was its lots colder and the hares may run a longer race before coming back around by the guns. I dont see why a flintlock smoothbore wont work as long as you keep the powder dry. Only disadvantages are single shot and distances can vary so you might be a little more limited. Have fun and post some pics!
DCP
Member
When I was 10yrs old Grampa and Dad took me and Brother rabbit hunting with Gramps dog Queenie. I could write a book what wonderful memories.
Your going to have a ball.
A short story
The 4th time Queenie brings a bunny around my brother and I missed again. Grampa brings out a flask and says *** **** it I need a drink. He always said what he thought.
I toast them both
Your going to have a ball.
A short story
The 4th time Queenie brings a bunny around my brother and I missed again. Grampa brings out a flask and says *** **** it I need a drink. He always said what he thought.
I toast them both
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ogilvyspecial
Member
When I was 10yrs old Grampa and Dad took me and Brother rabbit hunting with Gramps dog Queenie. I could write a book what wonderful memories.
A short story
The 4th time Queenie brings a bunny around my brother and I missed again. Grampa brings out a flask and says *** **** it I need a drink. He always said what he thought.
I toast them both
Interesting, my Grandfather had a dog name Queenie back in the 1930's, one that my Father was so fond of that he named his last dog, one that we now have, Queenie......
The stories of the "first" Queenie were legendary while I was growing up........
MSgt G
US Veteran
I haven't rabbit hunted since I was in high school! I miss it, but just don't know anyone around where I live who has some dogs.
Have fun! And don't forget to post some pictures and a good story when you return
Have fun! And don't forget to post some pictures and a good story when you return
HCD
Member
A lot will depend on how the dogs hunt. If they are from field trial stock they can be close behind the rabbit, and he will be go'in like 60, if they are what we call walkie talkies the rabbit will be so far ahead of the dogs he will just be hoppin along and stoppin every so often. This is what we use to decide if we should take a 22 pistol or a .410. What ever you use you will have so much fun in good rabbit ground you wont care what kind'a gun you take.
Rip the heads off and gut'em at the kill and stuff'em full of snow and pick'em up on the way back to the truck. Good luck and please post some pics.
snowman
Member
Cottontails were the primary small game animal in this area when I started hunting. Usually we didn't have a dog, but a friend who did took me once with the dog. The dog made things easier(found the rabbits and brought them back to us), but I found those little devils a challenge to hit either way. If you can do so with a flintlock, my hat is off to you.
Andy
Andy
When I was a kid, hunting with my dad in North Georgia, a little beagle that wanted to hunt joined up with us. He didn't belong to any of our party but he was game.
My dad's best friend was Morris, a great guy but not much of a shot. Pretty soon we jumped a bunny and the beagle went to work, heading the rabbit right down for a crossing shot for Morris.. Morris fired but missed and the little beagle put it into over-drive, headed off that bunny and brought him by again. When Morris missed this time, the beagle just skidded to a stop, looked at Morris and trotted off. Never saw him again.. guess he went looking for some real hunters!
My dad's best friend was Morris, a great guy but not much of a shot. Pretty soon we jumped a bunny and the beagle went to work, heading the rabbit right down for a crossing shot for Morris.. Morris fired but missed and the little beagle put it into over-drive, headed off that bunny and brought him by again. When Morris missed this time, the beagle just skidded to a stop, looked at Morris and trotted off. Never saw him again.. guess he went looking for some real hunters!
jrm53
Member
Find out up front if they shoot them, I had a friend that had beagles and he took his brother in law hunting and the first rabbit jumped took off and he got it, he said Ken said "Well thats one less rabbit we have to run the dogs on" he said we dont shoot rabbits we just run them, but they all had shot guns. I guess I had ought to have said Kenneth showed the dogs and competed in field trials and he had a bunch I used to Quail hunt on his place and you could hear the in the pen all over his 60 acres. Jeff
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What can you expect?
After hunting with one or more beagles you can expect to be getting a beagle or two and kicking your butt for not having done it sooner.
Every man that steps into a field needs to have at least one beagle.
Where I hunt if you don't have a dog the rabbits will sit and watch you walk right on by.
You will see a lot more rabbits with the hound ,, it's up to you to make the shot though.
Be careful if the rabbits hold up waiting for the dog to get close before they run.(DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN)
But with a late starting rabbit and a fast hound you might not get to much daylight between the bunny and the hound!
So keep one eye on the bunny and one on your barrel and one eye on the hound!
You do have three eyes don't you?
After hunting with one or more beagles you can expect to be getting a beagle or two and kicking your butt for not having done it sooner.
Every man that steps into a field needs to have at least one beagle.
Where I hunt if you don't have a dog the rabbits will sit and watch you walk right on by.
You will see a lot more rabbits with the hound ,, it's up to you to make the shot though.
Be careful if the rabbits hold up waiting for the dog to get close before they run.(DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN)
But with a late starting rabbit and a fast hound you might not get to much daylight between the bunny and the hound!
So keep one eye on the bunny and one on your barrel and one eye on the hound!
You do have three eyes don't you?
We always used .22's.
Beagles, once they catch sight of the rabbit, are fast enough to occasionally catch one (or think they can), so the rabbit will be in full tilt mode.
When they are just trailing the rabbit by scent, the rabbit will usually be any were from 25 yards (thick cover) to over 100 yards ahead of the dogs, usually just hopping along. That's when you can head-shoot them.
When you can hit the full-tilt running rabbit with a .22 pistol (or rifle, for that matter), you're getting to be a pretty good shot.
edit: Another tip, when the dogs jump a rabbit, many times he will make a big circle and come back to the place where he was jumped.
Beagles, once they catch sight of the rabbit, are fast enough to occasionally catch one (or think they can), so the rabbit will be in full tilt mode.
When they are just trailing the rabbit by scent, the rabbit will usually be any were from 25 yards (thick cover) to over 100 yards ahead of the dogs, usually just hopping along. That's when you can head-shoot them.
When you can hit the full-tilt running rabbit with a .22 pistol (or rifle, for that matter), you're getting to be a pretty good shot.
edit: Another tip, when the dogs jump a rabbit, many times he will make a big circle and come back to the place where he was jumped.
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paleocaver
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Loads 'O fun!
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
We don't use dogs. A farmer invites us over to his place, we chip in and pay one of the field hands a few bucks to drive the bush hog and he starts to cut the field by going around the perimeter. As the uncut patch gets smaller the action heats up accordingly 
One rule-Don't shoot at the tractor
One rule-Don't shoot at the tractor
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reddogge
Member
I think what jrm53's brother in law ran into was some dog owners don't want the rabbit shot on the flush rather let the dogs and hunters have some sport watching the dogs run the rabbit. When it comes around again usually it's OK to shoot it then.
By the way, don't shoot the dog by accident. Don't laugh. It happened to a friend of mine. Not good.
By the way, don't shoot the dog by accident. Don't laugh. It happened to a friend of mine. Not good.
22-rimfire
Member
Rabbit hunting was the single most enjoyable hunting I did as a teenager. We had beagles. I hunted every single day after school until dark. Loved it.
If the rabbits are out and the weather doesn't cause them to "run in" quickly, you will have a blast. I would wear brush pants if you have them.
We used shotguns and gradually shifted to 22 rifles. The 22's made it even more fun. By that time, none of us were particularly hung up about how many rabbits we shot. It was all about being out and sharing a hunt together.
Be very careful of your target. In short, do not shoot the dogs and do not shoot near them if it is possible. Sounds pretty obvious, but if you are waiting for a bunny to jump out of thick cover and the dogs are barking and rooting around, mistakes can be made at the spur of the moment. It is a terrible way to loose a friend.
Enjoy.
If the rabbits are out and the weather doesn't cause them to "run in" quickly, you will have a blast. I would wear brush pants if you have them.
We used shotguns and gradually shifted to 22 rifles. The 22's made it even more fun. By that time, none of us were particularly hung up about how many rabbits we shot. It was all about being out and sharing a hunt together.
Be very careful of your target. In short, do not shoot the dogs and do not shoot near them if it is possible. Sounds pretty obvious, but if you are waiting for a bunny to jump out of thick cover and the dogs are barking and rooting around, mistakes can be made at the spur of the moment. It is a terrible way to loose a friend.
Enjoy.
m1gunner
US Veteran
Here in Ga, if you are invited to go rabbit hunting, you should show up wearing some good walking boots and some sho-enough briar britches!
Most I have hunted with are toting A-5s.
Have seen rabbits go more than a mile through some of the dense briars and brambles trying to shake the dogs. In the end it is hard to tell if the hunters or the dogs have more fun.
Enjoy!
Most I have hunted with are toting A-5s.
Have seen rabbits go more than a mile through some of the dense briars and brambles trying to shake the dogs. In the end it is hard to tell if the hunters or the dogs have more fun.
Enjoy!
Sebago Son
Member
Three Pieces of Advice Amigo....
1.) Bring your snowshoes with the shortest tails.
2.) Don't shoot any cottontails... (they are now protected here in Maine)
3.) And above all, don't shoot the dog.
1.) Bring your snowshoes with the shortest tails.
2.) Don't shoot any cottontails... (they are now protected here in Maine)
3.) And above all, don't shoot the dog.
gregintenn
Member
It's the coolest thing if you've never done it. The dogs jump a rabbit. You go over to where that happened. When you hear the dogs getting closer, get ready to shoot. That's pretty much it. The rabbit will run around and around in circles. If you miss him, just wait...he'll be back in a minute. You're flintlocks will be right at home.
You're flintlocks will be right at home.DCP
Member
samuelrp
Member
It's a lot of walking, waiting, talking, and deciding who will shoot next. But at least it's outdoors.
