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Shooting rabbits with a shotgun

  • 24-03-2009 12:05AM
    #1
    Dusty87
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,920 ✭✭✭


    Just wondering how many of ye bother doing it? Was out with a friend last summer he only got two. Is it even worth the while doing?


«13

Comments

  • #2
    jwshooter
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,612 ✭✭✭jwshooter


    when i started shooting with my single barrel baikel 25 years ago i shot bolting rabbits every eve over the summer .never shot them stopped .there was a lot of rabbits back then .i walked the same ground sunday eve never seen a rabbit ,god dam shame.

    rabbits were a plenty back then .

    a 32 gr number 5 in a full choke ,had a dropper a lovely chocolate bitch called jess .

    if you have the cover and the rabbits a finer sport you will be hard to find .

    careless times .


  • #3
    It wasn't me!
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,034 ✭✭✭✭It wasn't me!


    It wouldn't be much of a method of serious vermin control, but walking the hedges and shooting bolting rabbits with a shotgun? You could do a lot worse in terms of sport, brilliant fun, and you could make a very decent bag in an evening.


  • #4
    dwighet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,399 ✭✭✭dwighet


    its some of the best craic one can have with a shotgun..
    I use my springer/cocker(sprocker) to flush em out of the ditches..keeps him fit for the winters pheasant season.
    Shot #5`s full and 3/4 choke......Does the job nicely
    Image018.jpg


  • #5
    The_Conductor
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,286 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    Its far more sporting to use a rifle- if it gets away, it gets away.....


  • #6
    cavan shooter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,070 ✭✭✭cavan shooter


    smccarrick wrote: »
    Its far more sporting to use a rifle- if it gets away, it gets away.....

    Not for bolting rabbits the shotgun will be safer and with the set up the lads are using much more effective for cleaner kills. Last year got most of my rabbits by hunting hedges as the hornet ruins them for the pot


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  • #7
    dwighet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,399 ✭✭✭dwighet


    cavan shooter wrote: »
    Not for bolting rabbits the shotgun will be safer and with the set up the lads are using much more effective for cleaner kills. Last year got most of my rabbits by hunting hedges as the hornet ruins them for the pot

    ditto


  • #8
    It wasn't me!
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,034 ✭✭✭✭It wasn't me!


    smccarrick wrote: »
    Its far more sporting to use a rifle- if it gets away, it gets away.....

    To be fair, using a rifle on bolting rabbits is both implausibly difficult and has the potential to result in a lot of winged rabbits. A shotgun is a safer bet in that situation, and it is an enormous amount of fun too.

    If you did a lot of driven boar shooting the bunnies could keep your eye in though!


  • #9
    CJhaughey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭CJhaughey


    I used to use a Beretta A303 with a Turkey choke, almost as good a a rifle:D
    Rifle is more satisfying to me and less meat damage.


  • #10
    marlin vs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,633 ✭✭✭marlin vs


    Sneaking around ditches when I was younger with my first shotgun trying to stalk rabbit's, and trying to shoot the one's on the run were great day's that i'll never forget.
    sport037.gif


  • #11
    pullandbang
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 4,941 ✭✭✭pullandbang


    Dusty87 wrote: »
    Just wondering how many of ye bother doing it? Was out with a friend last summer he only got two. Is it even worth the while doing?

    For most hunters the thrill of the hunt is in seeing your dog work. The joy of watching him hunt for scent, find it, trail it and then flush the quarry far outshines the kill. The kill is the icing on the cake with the successful retrieve capping the whole thing off.

    So, the answer to your question is yes, it's worth while doing it and the bag count at the end is incidental.


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  • #12
    ZappaFrank
    Closed Accounts Posts: 135 ✭✭ZappaFrank


    Why you shooting rabbits during the summer? very unsporting


  • #13
    dwighet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,399 ✭✭✭dwighet


    ZappaFrank wrote: »
    Why you shooting rabbits during the summer? very unsporting

    Each to there own Frankie..You may think its unsporting..for what reason i cannot gather..But i think it is great craic and im sure im not the only one..Im guessing you dont get out much


  • #14
    Dusty87
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,920 ✭✭✭Dusty87


    ZappaFrank wrote: »
    Why you shooting rabbits during the summer? very unsporting

    I said i was out with him, he shot, i didn have the shotgun at this stage. Dunno why he was out, probably because they were harming crops....
    Why is it unsporting?/


  • #15
    The_Conductor
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,286 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    dwighet wrote: »
    Each to there own Frankie..You may think its unsporting..for what reason i cannot gather..But i think it is great craic and im sure im not the only one..Im guessing you dont get out much

    Same way I consider using a shotgun to be unsporting, I guess. Then again- I'd not get up and personal scaring rabbits out of hedgerows etc- its easier to hit a stationary target with a rifle than a moving target. If I miss- I've frightened the rabbit anyhow- and off it goes......


  • #16
    Story Man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 62 ✭✭Story Man


    I have shot for many years at all types of quarry but I consider the best sporting shooting is rabbit in light rush over a steady spaniel.

    Shooters pay a fortune for sport that is not as exciting or satisfying as rabbits over a springer!

    SM


  • #17
    macadam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,684 ✭✭✭macadam


    Love shooting flushed bunnies best craic ever so long as you have a steady dog, pity ther scarce, seen and shot one this year.


  • #18
    Story Man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 62 ✭✭Story Man


    I am overrun with rabbits at home this year. I have reverted to the .22 and the lamp at night in an attempt to save what is left of my rockeries and bedding plants.

    And this from a spaniel man who loves bunnies for training!

    SM


  • #19
    Dusty87
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,920 ✭✭✭Dusty87


    I hear ya SM, good few a few miles from my house. Very quiet still around my place though. I remember years ago i used to see them in the field, not anymore. A few miles down the road is over run though. Maybe there making a comeback.


  • #20
    Story Man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 62 ✭✭Story Man


    I think they are making a comeback and I was wondering if it was because the weather is a bit warmer and they are spending less time underground. The fleas that spread mixi would have more chance of infecting if the rabbits were spending more time in the warrens as they would be in really wet weather.

    Bush rabbits, those lying in scrapes as opposed to underground, never seemed to suffer from the disease as much.

    Any thoughts?

    SM


  • #21
    Dusty87
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,920 ✭✭✭Dusty87


    Well honestly, i think its cos the recession and they cant afford contraception anymore:D

    Seriously i would agree with you there. We havnt had a real bitter cold winter in a few year. From breeding rabbits myself, they dont often breed in cold weather, and and sometimes if they do they will throw the babies out of nest. Dont know why. The last couple of winters have been a lot milder and maybe they bred in the late winter because of this. Was out lamping foxes late feb with a friend and anything like the amount of babies was unreal. never before seen it.


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  • #22
    Story Man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 62 ✭✭Story Man


    Most of my problems are with the young ones.

    I kid you not, I had three young rabbits in front of my kennels one morning last week! They were on the gravel path!

    I hate taking them out but needs must!

    SM


  • #23
    Dusty87
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,920 ✭✭✭Dusty87


    Know what ya mean, if it has to be done it has to be done. Looking forward to hopefully goin out myself soon for a nice evening walk with the dog. Hopefully sunday. Ill let ya know how we get on. It will be his first day out after rabbits so im not expecting much


  • #24
    Story Man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 62 ✭✭Story Man


    Didn't realise the time!

    Blowing a gale over here on the east coast. Not rabbiting weather at all!

    You going to the game fair at Ballinlough Castle in July. Should be a good event.

    SM


  • #25
    Dusty87
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,920 ✭✭✭Dusty87


    I know, have to be up at 5 in the morning:( its pissing here in offaly. Probably will head down for the day, and to the one in birr. Should be something to do. Although i go into a mourning state after them shows, all the lovely things so little money:rolleyes:


  • #26
    Story Man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 62 ✭✭Story Man


    I'll be at Ballinlough, I know the guys runnning it so I know it will be a great weekend. They don't let the rubbish stands in to their events so you can be sure of good gear at reasonable prices too.

    Isn't shooting gear getting so expensive?

    I bought a new Barbour fleece in NI and paid £150 sterling for it. For a fleece! I think I am mad in the head.

    SM


  • #27
    marlin vs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,633 ✭✭✭marlin vs


    ZappaFrank wrote: »
    Why you shooting rabbits during the summer? very unsporting
    Would you like to explain that statement.


  • #28
    clivej
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,202 ✭✭✭clivej


    ZappaFrank wrote: »
    Why you shooting rabbits during the summer? very unsporting


    Because they all migrate during the winter.

    Around the end of summer you can see the sky full of these migrating rabbits heading south to where the grass is greener, the gental breeze blowing across their backs, laying in the sun drinking cheap beer and making love in the sand.


  • #29
    The_Conductor
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,286 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    clivej wrote: »
    Because they all migrate during the winter.

    Around the end of summer you can see the sky full of these migrating rabbits heading south to where the grass is greener, the gental breeze blowing across their backs, laying in the sun drinking cheap beer and making love in the sand.

    Lol, I needed a laugh.....


  • #30
    Story Man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 62 ✭✭Story Man


    Originally Posted by ZappaFrank viewpost.gif
    Why you shooting rabbits during the summer? very unsporting



    The mind boggles at the innocence of some folk!

    SM


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  • #31
    Double Barrel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,465 ✭✭✭Double Barrel


    Ok Clive, now I have to clean my screen. :D:D:rolleyes::cool:


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