Rabbit Hunting (part2)

Rabbit Hunting (part2)

Which rabbits to hunt?

The rabbit is an ideal prey for a novice hunter. In the majority of cases, these are wild rabbits. Relatively small, these animals live in grassy areas where they dig their burrows. They are known to do a lot of damage in agricultural crops and gardens. Brown hares, more slender and larger, are also part of the hunting game. Capable of 75 km/h bursts and 2-meter-high leaps, they can be harder to bring down than rabbits.

In some countries, the numbers of rabbits have been clearly decreasing for many years. Limitation measures have therefore been put in place, with a maximum authorized harvest per hunter, per day.

Where and when to hunt rabbits?

The wild rabbit is present in many departments and municipalities in France, with the exception of large forests and medium and high mountain areas. It is mainly found in open environments where scrubland or meadows predominate. To track it, it is recommended to go to brushy patches where it is likely to feed.

The opening dates for hunting by department are fixed by prefectural decree, for each new season. It is generally possible to hunt rabbits between September and February. As for time of day, wild rabbits are most active around dawn and dusk: they feed when the light is lowest.

How to hunt the rabbit?

hunting without dogs

Rabbit hunting can be practiced without dogs. The most common way to do this is to walk noisily and stop regularly for at least thirty seconds – it is usually during these pauses that frightened rabbits come out of hiding. It is also possible to track them by following their tracks on the ground.

The guns used must be of small caliber, so as not to damage the prey (especially if they are intended to be eaten). The 20 gauge is the most used for this type of game. Note that some hunters use bows.

hunting with hounds

Hunting dogs are very useful, both to frighten rabbits and thus make them run towards you, and to track down injured rabbits. The most suitable dog breeds are small ones with a very good nose, because rabbits do not have a strong smell. This is mainly the case for beagles, but also Vendée griffons.

Browsing

Scavenging is an ancestral practice which consists of placing purses or long nets around the burrows and then introducing one or more ferrets into the galleries. The rabbits then come out of their hole and are trapped. This technique is mainly used in regions where the wild rabbit is classified as a pest.