Beagling Rabbits
Feb 1, 2012; 1:40 PM ET
The first thing a novice rabbit hunter must understand is that beagling is a team sport. While in training the dogs are expected to do all the work, but when the shooting season opens the hunter is expected to do his part. Without well-positioned gunners there can be no rabbit stew at the end of the day!
Those who have never hunted rabbits with beagles think there's nothing to it, but the first time they go on a hound hunt they couldn't be more confused. Where should I be? Where should I stand? How will I know when the rabbit is coming my way? Why can't I just stand in the road and wait for the rabbit to cross?
Most rabbit hunts begin by releasing the hounds while the hunters get their guns and gear ready or gather around the tailgate for some fun conversation about previous hunts, great dogs and some teasing of the tinhorns in the group. To a newcomer, this all seems like a huge waste of time. Why aren't we hunting? Why is everyone standing around talking?
Cavalier as all this may seem, the seasoned hunters in the group are doing the only thing that makes sense: they are waiting for the dogs to start a rabbit. When the hounds open up on a hot track, suddenly the newbie will find himself standing all alone at the truck. Where did everyone go?
Experienced hunters know that most rabbits will return to its starting spot after making a circle or two to evade the dogs. The starting point is the rabbit's home turf, and he'll want to return there as quickly as possible to avoid territorial issues with other rabbits.
For this reason, it's important to find a spot close to the starting point of the chase, and then wait quietly till the dogs bring the rabbit back around. This may occur in one circle or two, or perhaps the rabbit will simply run straight away and back again, but he will return.
That rabbit is going to be flying by, so the hunter's job is to be there, gun up and ready. See him, shoot him - that's all there is to it!
Read more on beagling rabbits here.
Stephen D. Carpenteri
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