Hunting with Firearms
Rabbits are often considered a pest in many parts of the world thanks to their huge reproductive rates and their desire to consume grass and make holes in other wise nice paddocks. They can also be a carrier of disease and parasites.
Whilst poisoning and trapping may be a more effective method of pest control it is not as much fun as hunting Rabbits with a firearm. Some would argue it is also a more humane method if done properly with a good clean shot, unlike disease and poison both which can result in a long time of the poor creature suffering in pain and distress. Opposed to this a bullet with an instant death is a blessing.
The best time to hunt rabbits is when they are out and about, very early in the morning or late evening or at night. In choosing a firearm a .22 rifle semi-automatic is probably the best bet. Being a small animal a .22 is more than enough to kill a rabbit. In fact even a bullet which misses the vital organs or brain can still kill a rabbit instantly just through the shock. I've shot a rabbit in the leg before and it died straight away as the energy dispersed from the bullet is enough to bring a quick death. An ideal shot though in hunting is a head shot which drops an animal immediately. Another advantage of a head shot is it doesn't mess up the meat or pelt of the animal as a body shot would.
In choosing a rifle I prefer a scoped rifle. While with a scope it is near impossible to shot a rabbit on the run, you can normally approach a rabbit at enough distance so it is not frighten into a run. It is very hard to shot a running rabbit and anyone who achieves this on a regular basis should consider themselves a skilled hunter with a rifle. While still and through a scope even an average shooter can still effect a quick accurate kill.
When approaching likely rabbit areas approach quietly and from downwind so as not to warn the rabbits or your approach. Given the number of predators rabbits have they are always on the lookout. Often you will see several eating together. It is a good hunter that can get more than one. Unless your using sub-sonic ammunition, rabbits tend to scatter at the first sound of a rifle. Thus your most important shot is your first shot, so take your time to aim right the first time. If you can steady the rifle against a fence post or handy object your aim will be better.
When hunting in a group firearm safety is paramount. The best way to ensure this is have only ONE person shooting at any one time. One firearm between the group is enough and take turns to fire. Hence a two to three people is probably the best size, larger and people become impatient and the group moving makes too much noise. Few hunters hunt by themselves as the social aspects of hunting is as important as the hunt itself. By having just one firearm everyone can know where the danger is and take care. The only time multiple firearms should be considered is if you are hunting dangerous creatures - rabbits don't fit this category - despite what the Search for the Holy Grail would have us believe.
(This article is dedicated to Seth Strawbridge - a good friend and young man taken out of the hunt too early)
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