August Bunny March

[DannyO]

Hey guys,
I’m a brand new hunter and have set myself a goal of getting out to try kick up hare/rabbits every weekend in August. I think it’ll be a good place to start and at the very least I’ll get to know the country I get in too.
If any of you experienced guys/gals can help with tips,suggestions or advice you might have and hopefully answer some of my questions. I’d appreciate it!

Trip no.1
I took a drive up past the coquihalla Rec area this weekend and spent an evening and an early morning trying to kick up rabbits along the service roads.. aimed for roads with thick bush either side or cut blocks with regrowth and dense bush...tried is the key word.
i came across a lot of deer in my walks which was really cool as they will be the focus in the future, but sadly only one bunnie and that was right as I was leaving the area in my truck.. I left happy I got out and explored a new area but with so many questions!

Ive read this is the low point of their cycle, but 6-7 hours of trying to stir them up, I figure I would be kicking up more than one in this time frame. I wonder does that mean they just aren’t here..although I’m not ruling out I’m doing it all ass backwards.

-am I searching in the right terrain? (I feel like if I go into thicker bush even if I do kick up one there’s no way I get a shot off on it) is that why most people seem to report taking them on the roads.

next week I’ll im go beyond Merritt and see what that country has in store for me.


Danny

[walks with deer]

when you find one hare go back to that spot like 10 minutes later or hide in the bushes..it is a low year for hare.

[DannyO]

That makes sense. Thank you

[walks with deer]

hare make colonys you if you see one there is normally lots...evening is best...bring ice in cooler you will want to chill them quickly.

[HarryToolips]

Slowly drive or walk the roads either the first couple hours of light or the last couple, look for roads lined with alder, usually by blocks of re growth 10-15 years old..

[sfp]

Very slow year again. Leaving any I see for seed.

["No Choke"Lord Walsingham]

August, I love it! Happy Hunting all. I'm surely out to get after a few upcoming. Yet again looking for meat to stew!

["No Choke"Lord Walsingham]

Update - there's stew in the pot now, folks! Hare a plenty about where I've been Hunting. Best to all

[lakelander]

There's always some along the FSR to Mount Cheam - Chipmunk Creek off Chilliwack Lake Rd smiling at me as I ride my ATV. They are quick to dart into their hole so have to be a fast shot.

[DannyO]

Weekend no.2
I went farther east in my search. Again I came across many deer, bear, some great exploring beautiful country but not a single bunny crossed my eye. I find it so interesting as a new hunter to come across pockets that clearly are teeming with deer, got me all fired up and had a brilliant weekend out there solo eyeing up deer..even if I did come home empty handed.

Next week I’m headed south into a completely different area that I’ve heard suggested and have high hopes haha be an adventure at the very least!

..Maybe save me a bowl Lord.

[albravo2]

Weekend no.2
I went farther east in my search. Again I came across many deer, bear, some great exploring beautiful country but not a single bunny crossed my eye. I find it so interesting as a new hunter to come across pockets that clearly are teeming with deer, got me all fired up and had a brilliant weekend out there solo eyeing up deer..even if I did come home empty handed.

Next week I’m headed south into a completely different area that I’ve heard suggested and have high hopes haha be an adventure at the very least!

..Maybe save me a bowl Lord.

You are doing it right. Keep doing it. It is all about finding new territory and making note of the sign you see. Hunting rabbits may well have introduced you to some hot deer territory.

For what it is worth, I spend a lot of time in Region 2 and rarely see a rabbit. I see a few up near Lillooet in Region 3 but in all my travels in BC the only time I saw enough rabbits to consider targeting them was south of Eastgate on the Hope Princeton and that was almost 10 years ago.

Good luck, you already know it is about the journey, not the kill, so you're ahead of the game. Have fun.

["No Choke"Lord Walsingham]

Weekend no.2
I went farther east in my search. Again I came across many deer, bear, some great exploring beautiful country but not a single bunny crossed my eye. I find it so interesting as a new hunter to come across pockets that clearly are teeming with deer, got me all fired up and had a brilliant weekend out there solo eyeing up deer..even if I did come home empty handed.

Next week I’m headed south into a completely different area that I’ve heard suggested and have high hopes haha be an adventure at the very least!

..Maybe save me a bowl Lord.

You got this! Especially if you have a friend show you a spot... lolz

Important point of interest - Hare are different from Rabbit. Snowshoe Hare are born precotial: have dark meat, does not dig Warrens and are a BC Small Game species mostly found east of where you're looking, outta the Coast Range tho can be found BC wide! Cottontail rabbit are Schedule C.

[DannyO]

Weekend number 4(3)
sat out last weekend feeling under the weather but was back at it this weekend chasing rabbits. Checked out a new area yet again because from everything I’ve read and all the suggestions and comments made on here, it just started to sound like I was in the wrong areas.

Saw a couple Saturday night but couldn’t get close enough, up before the sun ready to walk the roads I’d seen them the night before.. first 2 hours Not a rabbit to be seen, just friendly grouse and some deer.
Got my first glimpse of mr rabbit about 8.30am, he’s off and gone before I can hope to shoot.. 50 yards down the road another one, i sneak closer..I raise my shotgun,he runs, I miss lol
feeling like an ass I continue my walk and remember a piece of advice from ‘walks with deer’ to recheck spots after some time,so I walk back to the truck to make a quick coffee and figure I can get em on a second round.
sure enough after my coffee I walk back up there and he is right in the same spot chewing on the same greens.

It was a cool experience to shoot,skin and gut my first animal, all be it a tiny fella. Thanks for the helpful comments and tips lads. Have him soaking in buttermilk and will make a fine feed for tomorrows dinner.

Roll on next weekend!

["No Choke"Lord Walsingham]

Right on, congratulations! Thanks for the update.