need advice and tips on rabbiting please

[davep1 0]

hi ive been shooting mainly targets with my .22 air rifle but interested in getting into rabbit shooting im looking for slme advice tips and hints on how to be succesful. Ive been out looking found a few warrens and droppings but never seem to see any i walk into the wind but not sure if im just geeting to close or something any advice and tips be greatly recieved thanks

[millsy44 72]

Id go up to where it is you have permission and leave the gun at home, sit about 50 or so yards down wind of the main area of activity from the rabbits, and watch, watch and then watch some more, this will give you a good idea of the numbers, runs they use and how close you can get to them without spooking them, then next time take the rifle and you have a better chance of bagging a few Also this would be a good chance to work out ranges, pick some markers out where the burrows and diggings are and then count the distance from where you will be sitting when you shoot, this will let you know if your gunna need hold over or hold under, take a few practice shots at twigs or stones where you expect the rabbits to be aswell to make sure your bang on

Edited December 18, 2010 by millsy44

[davyt63 1,845]

hi Dave

before you go shooting at quarry,get your self some shooting insurance

and written permission from the land owner

it sounds like you are going about it the right way,targets first practice,practice

now all you have to do is get something for the pot.

 

well my friend you know about the wind,you have located the dropping and the warrens

it will pay you to visit the said permission at dusk,& dawn to see which time is going to be more productive to you,also different times in the day too

now you have to learn some field craft,it depends if you would like to stalk your quarry or like to static shoot

 

STALKING

spot your quarry and get within zero distance by crouching down,slowly walking toward it.

checking each 10 paces you have taken,that it is still there! it dose pay if you have a laser range finder to spot your quarry, you will need camo gear head to foot,also use the tree/hedge line to your advantage,keep in the shadows if its sunny/full moon,use the divots in the land to crawl along.

DO NOT!! wear any after shave ,deodorant,body spray!

bunnies have a real good sense of smell

if they get a whiff they will be off,a lot of it is common sense try to be not seen

once you are in range and it hasn't ran off,take your time and relax,and control your breathing before you take the shot then THWACK!!!

 

 

 

STATIC SHOOTING

concealment is the key!!

this is were you are stationary,in a hide,behind a tree,in long grass,behind a bank of mud,pile of horse shit!!.set up ya sniping point within your zero range,and take a few shots to see your poi are calibrating with your mildots at different ranges! this means if your set up at 40 yds and your zeroed at 30 then you need to use hold over to hit the kill zone this is were all those days of paper shooting pays off because you would /should know your mildots and ranges.a bunny wont come out dead on 30yds so make sure you can hit that kill zone

bring ya self a flask,because you could be in for a long stay!

 

 

LAMPING

stalking/static shooting/from a vehicle

pretty much the same as stalking,but its in the dark.make sure you are aware of your surroundings

a NV monocular is very handy for this,or a dimmer switch.light up your quarry make sure your in range,which is very difficult at night.

thats why i use .177 at night for the flatter trajectory.and stalk to wards it. take 10 paces and bring your ocular eye piece to your eye and flick the lamp on if its there THWACK!! you may need to use a magnification of about 4/6 as this works well for me at night.

 

i hope this has helped you,there will be more peeps along to add what i have missed or to do it different as every hunter has his/her own style

 

 

PS. rabbits will be out in all conditions!!

rain,sunshine,snow,wind,fog,hot temperatures,minus temperatures,

so don't be put off by these conditions

 

regards

 

davy

[davep1 0]

great cheers mate ill give it a go own my land, really interested in finding out as much as i can thanks

[davyt63 1,845]

great cheers mate ill give it a go own my land, really interested in finding out as much as i can thanks

 

 

hi dave

if its your own land,may still pay you to get insurance.if you have a fall or break a leg.

at least your covered

whats your location?

 

let us know how you get on

 

regards

 

davy

[pianoman 3,587]

Great write up Davy Straight-to-the-point honest help, well-written.

 

ATB

 

Simon

[davep1 0]

cheers davy thats a great help great advice ill look into the insurance good idea never know when accidents happen. does snow bother the,?

[davyt63 1,845]

cheers davy thats a great help great advice ill look into the insurance good idea never know when accidents happen. does snow bother the,?

 

 

hi Dave

thanks buddy

if your asking do they come out in the snow ,then yes they come out in all conditions

the only thing i have noticed over the years,in the winter months there not in abundance,cant blame em though.

but they still come out

the trouble is,do you want to be out in those conditions

this is what separates the boys from the men

 

regards

 

davy

[davep1 0]

yeah know what your saying mate. think ill just keep practicing and maybe get one or two on the way thanks for the advice mate really appreciate it

[davyt63 1,845]

yeah know what your saying mate. think ill just keep practicing and maybe get one or two on the way thanks for the advice mate really appreciate it

 

 

no problem buddy

[matt_hooks 188]

Or you could follow Davy's example, and get all nice and comfy in your sniping spot, then fall asleep! The bunnies will get really close, and the snoring doesn't seem to bother them much!

[Marksman 934]

Top info Davy mate Have a slut

 

 

this is what separates the boys from the men

 

Yep it certainly does mate.....or the brains from the thickos!

One thing for sure....if you aint out on the groud you aint gonna shoot anything

 

Darryl