Safety while hunting rabbits out on a FSR

[FourOhs]

Reading Allan's Almost got shot today (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?120455-Almost-got-shot-today) thread got me pondering my recent outings.

I've been going up an FSR not too far from my place, after rabbits. I've been doing a combination of hiking and driving, mostly driving. This is my first year hunting, so I'm absorbing all the constructive feedback/advice I can get.

I've generally been looking for rabbits on the shoulder of the FSR. When I come across one I look at the whole sight picture. Not just, "Can I clearly see the rabbit?" and not just "Is there a person/car behind my shot?" but also, "What's behind my shot that I can't see? Do I have a shot that doesn't travel down the road or over a rise in the road or off the mountainside into thin air?"

I've passed up several shots so far simply because there isn't a safe way to make the shot. When I shoot my target is still on the shoulder, but if I can't manoeuver myself so that I'm shooting into the ground or a bank or hillside behind my shot, it's a no-go. Sometimes I can climb the opposite bank to get a shot aiming down from 8-10' above. Basically, I have to imagine taking each particular shot as if no rabbit was there. Would it be safe to pull the trigger right here, right now in that direction?

Anyway, my point is, I think I'm doing enough to be safe and to keep other users of the FSR I'm on safe too. But, I'm also open to constructive criticism of/improvements to my approach to safe hunting.

[Doe.Deer]

I am very new to rabbit hunting (this is my first year!) ... I don't think I would road hunt rabbit. I would just slowly walk and have the gun ready. By the time you see it, slow down, grab your gun, get it out the window/get out of the vehicle to stalk it or shoot it... alot of time has gone by. If you know the area I would walk the road. You can hear other vehicles and maybe others doing the same thing?

Let me know how road hunting rabbit goes for you. Hopefully you can get some squirrel too! Is that common to road hunt rabbit??

[Glenny]

Reading Allan's Almost got shot today (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?120455-Almost-got-shot-today) thread got me pondering my recent outings.

I've been going up an FSR not too far from my place, after rabbits. I've been doing a combination of hiking and driving, mostly driving. This is my first year hunting, so I'm absorbing all the constructive feedback/advice I can get.

I've generally been looking for rabbits on the shoulder of the FSR. When I come across one I look at the whole sight picture. Not just, "Can I clearly see the rabbit?" and not just "Is there a person/car behind my shot?" but also, "What's behind my shot that I can't see? Do I have a shot that doesn't travel down the road or over a rise in the road or off the mountainside into thin air?"

I've passed up several shots so far simply because there isn't a safe way to make the shot. When I shoot my target is still on the shoulder, but if I can't manoeuver myself so that I'm shooting into the ground or a bank or hillside behind my shot, it's a no-go. Sometimes I can climb the opposite bank to get a shot aiming down from 8-10' above. Basically, I have to imagine taking each particular shot as if no rabbit was there. Would it be safe to pull the trigger right here, right now in that direction?

Anyway, my point is, I think I'm doing enough to be safe and to keep other users of the FSR I'm on safe too. But, I'm also open to constructive criticism of/improvements to my approach to safe hunting.


Sound good to me. Safe hunter.

[E.V.B.H.]

I am very new to rabbit hunting (this is my first year!) ... I don't think I would road hunt rabbit. I would just slowly walk and have the gun ready. By the time you see it, slow down, grab your gun, get it out the window/get out of the vehicle to stalk it or shoot it... alot of time has gone by. If you know the area I would walk the road. You can hear other vehicles and maybe others doing the same thing?

Let me know how road hunting rabbit goes for you. Hopefully you can get some squirrel too! Is that common to road hunt rabbit??

You would walk a lot, road hunting is common. You also can't shoot squirrels or out the window for that matter!

[M.Dean]

When you've got idiots that call them selves "Hunters" driving around swill'in back a 24 pack of beer and shooting every bloody thing they see, including all types of logging equip, signs, mail boxes, and on and on, they certainly don't give a sh** about shooting a rabbit on a blind corner of a road! We need more CO's, we need harsher fines for drinking and driving well hunting, and anyone caught doing any of these crimes should lose there dam license for life! Why not, it's not like there out there because they love the sport!

[scoutlt1]

I am very new to rabbit hunting (this is my first year!) ... I don't think I would road hunt rabbit. I would just slowly walk and have the gun ready. By the time you see it, slow down, grab your gun, get it out the window/get out of the vehicle to stalk it or shoot it... alot of time has gone by. If you know the area I would walk the road. You can hear other vehicles and maybe others doing the same thing?

Let me know how road hunting rabbit goes for you. Hopefully you can get some squirrel too! Is that common to road hunt rabbit??


Really???? Please review the hunting regs.................

[FourOhs]

OK, guys, he made one mistake. He's been corrected on that and he solemnly promises he will never, EVER shoot out the window of his vehicle, right Doe.Deer? Frankly, he was the one who says he doesn't road hunt, preferring to walk. :)

Doe.Deer: I'm brand new to hunting, and decided to start small before going out with a long-time hunter friend to try for my first deer this season. I've put a couple rabbits in the freezer so far. And, yeah, I tend to be erring (if you can call it a mistake) on taking too much time setting up my shot: I've missed a few opportunities due to being too slow. And for now I'm just fine with that.

I have done some walking along the same road and, yes, it's a very nice walk. But I've been finding that the early evening "happy hour" when the rabbits come out isn't even an hour long and to cover enough road to see more than a rabbit or two you can't be taking your time like you would when stalking through the bush for deer. That's not to say there's a rush to blaze down the road to take pot-shots at anything with long ears, but the time when they're out is pretty limited.

[HarryToolips]

^^^^^^You got it, rabbit evening happy hour I find is short...however, I'm seeing quite a few in the morning, right til 10 am sometimes...OP your doing a good job by the sounds of it to be safe...

[FourOhs]

^^^^^^You got it, rabbit evening happy hour I find is short...however, I'm seeing quite a few in the morning, right til 10 am sometimes...OP your doing a good job by the sounds of it to be safe...
Thanks. Morning does sound like a good idea. I think I'll see if I can talk my wife into an outing this Saturday morning. It won't take any work to convince my 5yo. He's all in favour of me bringing home more rabbits for the freezer... even wants to see them when they're all cleaned and ready to go in. It started with fishing this spring and eating what we caught. He's really starting to connect the whole timber-to-table/field-to-fork idea and he's only five. :)

[albravo2]

4-0s, you're doing everything right. Especially taking your 5yo. Good times. Then add grouse and you're set for years of fun.

The days fly by, trust me. Tomorrow grouse open here and my 16 yr old son will be out with his bow. We started fishing together when he was 5, now he's putting food on the table.

[Doe.Deer]

You would walk a lot, road hunting is common. You also can't shoot squirrels or out the window for that matter!

My bad! Obviously I typed that too fast and wasn't thinking what I was typing. I know you can't shoot out the window. Although you can get out the vehicle, open the door and use the window to help you shoot. Don't ever shoot out the window sitting in your vehicle as it is dangerous and your being lazy.

My point was since being new, that I figured road hunting would be better (probably always will be) by getting out walking around for the rabbit or whatever your hunting. You can hear everything as well as more time to actually shoot versus driving. Driving is more of a process you have to slow down, get out, aim fire... even though you cover more ground you can't hear anything, can't see prints that well. Versus walking around listening and its there so aim fire. Just saying I really like walking around versus driving and it is faster process in the long run. I don't have an ATV or anything. We use our truck get to a location set up camp and get out and walk for hours. I have no experience in road hunting. I was curious cause I didn't know people road hunted for small animals like rabbits. I know they do for big game but I was interested.

Next time I post I will re-read what I wrote because I didn't mean to sound stupid like that. I made a few of you uneasy/angry with my post. I'm new and on here and on here to learn. I know you can't shoot out the window... I was just talking about timing of everything and how I like to walk verse road hunt and I have never shot anything inside my vehicle and never will.
(Haven't even shot an animal yet, just sighting in riffles and preparing myself for the hunt)

[brian]

Although you can get out the vehicle, open the door and use the window to help you shoot.
You can't you can't use any part of your vehicle at any time. No shooting over the hood, no sitting in the flat bed, no rolling down the window and using it as a rest. It is covered by this part of the regs
it is prohibited to shoot wildlife from a motor vehicle or a boat propelled by a motor. It doesn't mater what part or whether the vehicle is running or parked.

[Gateholio]

You can't you can't use any part of your vehicle at any time. No shooting over the hood, no sitting in the flat bed, no rolling down the window and using it as a rest. It is covered by this part of the regs It doesn't mater what part or whether the vehicle is running or parked.

If your feet are on the ground, you can use your vehicle as a rest, providing the firearm is not making contact with the vehicle. Your elbows, your backpack etc can rest on the vehicle, your firearms can rest on your elbows/pack whatever.

Just use caution when doing so that you don't shoot your vehicle or your partner!

[wideopenthrottle]

If your feet are on the ground, you can use your vehicle as a rest, providing the firearm is not making contact with the vehicle. Your elbows, your backpack etc can rest on the vehicle, your firearms can rest on your elbows/pack whatever.

Just use caution when doing so that you don't shoot your vehicle or your partner!

I assume you are talking about trails you can get onto with a vehicle not proper roads

[Gateholio]

I assume you are talking about trails you can get onto with a vehicle not proper roads

Not sure what you mean by "proper road" but Road allowances and where you may not shoot are mostly covered in the Hunting regulations synopsis.

[ruger#1]

You want rabbits. Find a deactivated road. Where there is no vehicle access. You will find lots. Wait until first snow, And find their runs. You can snare them. In Oct when the snow hasn't hit the ground. They will be almost white. They look like ghosts before it gets dark. It is more fun to hunt a road with no vehicles.

[wideopenthrottle]

Not sure what you mean by "proper road" but Road allowances and where you may not shoot are mostly covered in the Hunting regulations synopsis.

I was just qualifying when shooting off a vehicle would b ok without leaving someone with the impression it is ok to be driving down a proper road, stop the truck and start blasting

[Gateholio]

What is your definition of s "proper" road? There is no such term used in the regulations.

[M.Dean]

If your feet are on the ground, you can use your vehicle as a rest, providing the firearm is not making contact with the vehicle. Your elbows, your backpack etc can rest on the vehicle, your firearms can rest on your elbows/pack whatever.

Just use caution when doing so that you don't shoot your vehicle or your partner! I agree with Mr. G House here, BUT!!! Be very, very Careful if your going to fire at something over the hood, or off the box rail or any other part of a vehicle! If your all set to fire, the animals just atarting to move and you've got two seconds before he's out of sight, there is a dam good chance your hunting buddy, or who ever may be getting ready to fire also, from the other side of the truck, and neither one of you knows who's firing where, and believe me, "I've seen this", the one hunter starts to move along the side of the truck to get a better aim, and in one second he's in front of his buddy's Rifle!!! Think this can't happen to you cuz your a experienced hunter? The animals a huge 4 point Mulie, this Buck is a Record holder for sure! You've seen this guy 3 times this fall and this is the first time to get a shot off at him! Do you think your aware of who's bloody where!!! Be Dam careful out there! And Good Luck Too!

[wideopenthrottle]

What is your definition of s "proper" road? There is no such term used in the regulations.

hiGhwaY NO ShOOtiNG aReaS
4It is unlawful to discharge a firearm across or to discharge a firearm or hunt within the road allowances of all numbered highways and any two lane or greater public road in BC that is maintained by the Ministry of Transportation (or their Contractors), the federal government or another province or territory. The road allowance extends: (a) 15 metres on either side of the middle of a road with less than three lanes, or (b) 15 metres from the edge of the paved surface of a highway with three lanes or more, or (c) to the boundary of private or cultivated land, whichever comes first.4In addition to the above universal restric-tion, several major or heavily populated routes in the province have an additional 400 m area bordering the road allowance in which the discharge of a firearm using a single projectile is prohibited. The discharge of a shotgun using shot only is permitted. These areas are listed in the section "400 m Single Projectile Prohibited Areas".

I refer to anything I can drive my truck down as a road...it may not be technically correct but I have always found the term "highway" only gets used by law enforcement to describe what most people would just call a road...and most people would only call something a highway if it is for getting from one town to the next...my point was that I was picturing some newbie hunter thinking it is ok to stop on any two lane or greater public road in BC and start shooting off the hood of their truck (with a jacket over it to not scratch the paint)

[Gateholio]

hiGhwaY NO ShOOtiNG aReaS
4It is unlawful to discharge a firearm across or to discharge a firearm or hunt within the road allowances of all numbered highways and any two lane or greater public road in BC that is maintained by the Ministry of Transportation (or their Contractors), the federal government or another province or territory. The road allowance extends: (a) 15 metres on either side of the middle of a road with less than three lanes, or (b) 15 metres from the edge of the paved surface of a highway with three lanes or more, or (c) to the boundary of private or cultivated land, whichever comes first.4In addition to the above universal restric-tion, several major or heavily populated routes in the province have an additional 400 m area bordering the road allowance in which the discharge of a firearm using a single projectile is prohibited. The discharge of a shotgun using shot only is permitted. These areas are listed in the section "400 m Single Projectile Prohibited Areas".

I refer to anything I can drive my truck down as a road...it may not be technically correct but I have always found the term "highway" only gets used by law enforcement to describe what most people would just call a road...

It can get confusing when discussing legalities when random terms are used.

I consider a FSR a "proper" road as they are intended to be driven on, yet it's legal to shoot from most of these roads.

[wideopenthrottle]

It can get confusing when discussing legalities when random terms are used.

I consider a FSR a "proper" road as they are intended to be driven on, yet it's legal to shoot from most of these roads.

yikes...ok if you say so...I am not a road hunter so pardon my ignorance but you would not see me shooting off my vehicle on a FSR..ever

[Gateholio]

yikes...ok if you say so...I am not a road hunter so pardon my ignorance but you would not see me shooting off my vehicle on a FSR..ever

Shooting from a FSR is not uncommon, and it's actually the topic of this thread.

[wideopenthrottle]

Shooting from a FSR is not uncommon, and it's actually the topic of this thread.

again...sorry for my ignorance on the shooting off a vehicle topic and yes I thought shooting on any FSR was illegal but I am wrong..i have learned something new

[IslandBC]

You want rabbits. Find a deactivated road. Where there is no vehicle access. You will find lots. Wait until first snow, And find their runs. You can snare them. In Oct when the snow hasn't hit the ground. They will be almost white. They look like ghosts before it gets dark. It is more fun to hunt a road with no vehicles.
Doesn't snaring count as trapping ? Or can you snare rabbit ? This isn't a jab at your ethics or knowledge of regs. I'm curiouse because if you can I'll be setting snares

[ruger#1]

Doesn't snaring count as trapping ? Or can you snare rabbit ? This isn't a jab at your ethics or knowledge of regs. I'm curiouse because if you can I'll be setting snares I am sure you are allowed to snare rabbits for food. Trapping for fur.

[brian]

If your feet are on the ground, you can use your vehicle as a rest, providing the firearm is not making contact with the vehicle. Your elbows, your backpack etc can rest on the vehicle, your firearms can rest on your elbows/pack whatever.

I was told by a CO once that touching your vehicle in any way while shooting was a big no no. He may have been using a more broad interpretation of the law. I always figured that if shooting over your hood gave you a more stable and therefor better more ethical shot on game then it should be allowed.

[Gateholio]

I thought the same until a few years ago when someone here contacted Stephen McIvor of the CO service and he clarified the law via email. It's been posted here a dozen times.

[Salty]

Its public roads and highways have the no shooting corridor, its 15 metres minimum up to 400 like on the Coq, see the regs. Public roads and highways are all maintained by the province through its maintenance contractors. So you'd see the same yellow snow plows or yellow road crew trucks with flashing lights that you'd see on a numbered highway doing maintenance on these roads. FSRs are public per se, but mainly for industry and they're maintained by loggers. You can shoot on any FSR unless there is a specific closure for that road listed in the regs.

[ruger#1]

Doesn't snaring count as trapping ? Or can you snare rabbit ? This isn't a jab at your ethics or knowledge of regs. I'm curiouse because if you can I'll be setting snares I can not find in the regs where you can not use a snare. It isn't under hunting methods.

[FourOhs]

I can not find in the regs where you can not use a snare. It isn't under hunting methods.
Under "Trapping Regulations / Definitions"


killing snare - means a snare that is designed to capture the animal for which it is set by the neck.

Under "Trapping Regulations / General Regulations and Information"


Checking traps




A holder of a licence, permit or other authorization to trap commits an offence unless that person examines the holding or non-killing traps he or she has set on a trapline at least once every 72 hours, the egg trap(s) he or she has set for raccoons at least once every 24 hours, and killing traps or killing snares that he or she has set on the trapline at least once every 14 days.

Under "Trapping Methods / It's Unlawful"


You should know it's unlawful to:

...
. Use a killing snare on land, unless the snare is equipped with a locking device, or is designed to catch squirrels or hares, or is a mechanically-powered killing snare.
...

Since all of this is in the "Trapping Regulations" section, wouldn't this require a trapping permit? If not, then have at it.

[Singleshotneeded]

Reading Allan's Almost got shot today (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?120455-Almost-got-shot-today) thread got me pondering my recent outings.

I've been going up an FSR not too far from my place, after rabbits. I've been doing a combination of hiking and driving, mostly driving. This is my first year hunting, so I'm absorbing all the constructive feedback/advice I can get.

I've generally been looking for rabbits on the shoulder of the FSR. When I come across one I look at the whole sight picture. Not just, "Can I clearly see the rabbit?" and not just "Is there a person/car behind my shot?" but also, "What's behind my shot that I can't see? Do I have a shot that doesn't travel down the road or over a rise in the road or off the mountainside into thin air?"

I've passed up several shots so far simply because there isn't a safe way to make the shot. When I shoot my target is still on the shoulder, but if I can't manoeuver myself so that I'm shooting into the ground or a bank or hillside behind my shot, it's a no-go. Sometimes I can climb the opposite bank to get a shot aiming down from 8-10' above. Basically, I have to imagine taking each particular shot as if no rabbit was there. Would it be safe to pull the trigger right here, right now in that direction?

Anyway, my point is, I think I'm doing enough to be safe and to keep other users of the FSR I'm on safe too. But, I'm also open to constructive criticism of/improvements to my approach to safe hunting.

Or, you can keep it simple and get a 20 gauge shotgun with field loads, #6 pellet size, and they won't travel much further than the rabbit or grouse.

[Gateholio]

I've always understood you could snare rabbits with a HL, although I'v e never done it. Obviously we need a thread :)