Rabbit Hunting: A family Tradition

[SportFishStaff]

As long as I can remember we had rabbit hunting. When we were old enough to walk, we went to run the hounds.

Grandpop was struck with polio when my dad was six and the dr's told him he would be in a wheelchair, well he lived into his late 70's and never once sat in a wheel chair. We would take him in the truck to the fields and he would sit in the car or stand leaning on his crutches and the car, just to listen to the dog's run. I was 4 maybe 5 and loved it or maybe it was the fact that we always went to Stewart's for a Black Cow (A rootbeer float with vanilla ice cream). Grandpop's been gone for a long time, and we don't get a chance to go as much but it's always a special event when I can get together with my Pop and run the dog's

It's hard to believe that you can find world class rabbit hunting in NJ, but the old Orchard is littered with them and we always seem to get double digit's when we go. Unfortunately this may have been one of the last times as there is talk of turning it into housing and such.

There is something magical about the sound a hound makes when she is doing her life's work. The rabbit knows the game and does it's best to shake it's pursuer.

Rabbits are a welcome addition to our table and many recipes will follow.

Here is a Go Pro Video of our shoot and I hope you Enjoy.

[NY Bearhunter]

THOSE WACKY WABBITS HAVE JUST ABOUT VANISHED HERE IN NY, WHERE I'M AT, THANKS TO THE RED TAIL HAWK, BUT YOUR RIGHT ABOUT NJ, THERE ARE ALLOT OF BUNNIES THERE, EVEN WITH ALL OF THE BEAR, BUT I DO SEE HARDLY ANY HAWKS, HUGE DIFFERENCE...

[seapower]

I kept a pack of beagles for year's, just gave it up a couple years ago. I enjoyed working the dogs to reach their potential. Many are born with the instinct, but it takes ALOT of one on one time to really make a good dog. I believe that if I wasn't fishing I'd still be bringing them along. I've had as many as 15 at one time. Say what you want but it takes a really special dog to make a rabbit dog. Frank

[weekender]

haven't done that in 40 years, been way too long

[SportFishStaff]

Thanks Guys
Frank, I don't think I ever hunted over an exceptional hound, The one hound my dad has is really good and the other is to rangey more of a fox hound

Weekender, It lifts your soul when the hounds start singing. Plus it's great connecting with my dad.

Thanks

[seapower]

SportFish, if you're interested I would be more than happy to talk with you about how I trained my dog's. I've never been interested in or been to a field trial, I want gun dog's only. I have had guy's hunt with me that did field trial and it made em mad as fire when my "bisquit hound's" kept the race going when their's lost out. I really, really enjoyed my time with the dog's. Like I said if I hadn't got back into fishing like I have I would still be raising and hunting them. Frank

[SportFishStaff]

Here is the finished product a Delicious rabbit curry
Rabbit Curry

[aamkeri]

Rabbits? Great to know this that furious rabbits can also be hunted. Hunting fishes look quite simple comparatively. Thanks for sharing the Video, it was great fun watching the video.