There’s no doubt about it: chasing rabbits is fantastic sport. Here at Speed Beez, we know we have quite a few fans of rabbit hunting who support our speed loaders and love shooting. Are you just getting into rabbit hunting? We’ve got some tips and essentials for you.
Gearing Up
Good marksmen with excellent stalking skills can bag plenty of rabbits with a .22 rifle, a pistol or even a bow and arrow. However, most rabbit hunters find that a light, quick-handling shotgun is most effective in those overgrown, close-quarters rabbit habitats where snap shooting is common. A 20-gauge shotgun with an improved-cylinder choke is one of the best choices, but almost any shotgun will do.
Make sure you wear thick clothing when rabbit hunting, too. It’s amazing how much a pair of vinyl-faced canvas field pants can bolster a hunter’s courage and success. Because brush is often so thick that hunting partners are tough to see, it’s wise to wear highly-visible, blaze-orange vests and hats for added safety.
Shooting Tips
Learn to snap shoot! Rabbits in heavy cover seldom offer more than an instant in which to make your shot. There’s no time to swing through your target. You have to locate the dashing rabbit, shoulder your gun and shoot all in one motion.
Rabbits are adept at making their move when you and your partners are chewing the fat and let your guard down. Don’t prop your gun over a shoulder or cradle it in your arm. Keep your firearm in the ready position, with your trigger hand on the grip and your index finger on the trigger guard. You’ll miss too many shots if you parade around like a soldier with your gun pointed at the sky.