Poor, poor rabbits...

Pyro01 · 09-30-2008, 01:20 PM

So I'm in Dunn county in WI that doesn't allow the use of rifles in the lower half of the county for any type of game hunting. That means the rabbit hunting I'm going to be doing soon will not be with a .22 rifle. No, those poor guys are gonna be taking #7 1/2 lead game, 12 gauge shotshells. Those poor bastards aren't even going to have a chance to twitch. If the rifle restriction were just for deer, I'd understand, but that applies to all small game too. Poor guys. Well, guess I can say goodbye to getting some decent pelts out of this. Maybe I'll get lucky if I only get the head. Any suggestions for preserving a rabbit pelt when using a shotgun?

Cyrano · 09-30-2008, 01:57 PM

Would they do anything to you if you used a .410 with a slug load? Granted, it's still like using an elephant gun to kill a deer, but at least it would be a slug and if you're good enough to make a head shot you wouldnt' ruin the meat and could still salvage the pelts.

Pyro01 · 09-30-2008, 03:48 PM

Unfortunately I don't have a .410 shotgun to take rabbits with, but it's certainly legal and within reason in my county.

tippmann7 · 09-30-2008, 03:50 PM

why would you want a rifle for rabbits? your shots will be on the run so a shotgun will be a much better option anyway

sell33 · 09-30-2008, 03:52 PM

wow thats dumb...i thought it was bad enough not being able ot deer hunt with a rifle..but nothing? i rabbit hunt with a 12 gauge tho and the pelts usually don't really get too tore up....i can never even see those 7 1/2 holes unless i accidentally shoot one too close....but obviously i always try for the head so wehn i hit there that is even better lol.

the only other suggestion i would have is to buy a nice pellet gun and use that...i woudl imagine that would be legal and it would be plenty for shooting rabbits.

Pyro01 · 09-30-2008, 03:57 PM

I wanted to practice lining up the iron sights using a .22 rifle on rabbits. But rabbit-hunting with a shotgun has practical purposes I suppose as well. Thanks for the input sell33, nice to know the shot won't damage the pelts too badly, provided it's not within too close a range.

andrew cochran · 09-30-2008, 05:35 PM

I feel bad for ya man. But maybe move to #8 shot. And aim for the nose. That is as good as I can tell ya.

Cyrano · 09-30-2008, 05:44 PM

The ads on The Outdoor Channel show Gamo Whisper airguns that take raccoons and squirrels with .22 pellets. I read someplace that they're flying at about 900 fps. Ought to be powerful enough to make head shots on a rabbit for a one shot kill. Worth looking into?

andrew cochran · 09-30-2008, 06:02 PM

They work but not like a .22 rifle or a shotgun.

AllAlaskan · 09-30-2008, 08:30 PM

My brother had a Airrifle that shot at 600fps and i had one that did 550fps and we use to kill Snowshoe Hares up in alaska all the time and im not sure about where you live but im in Texas at the momant and i know the cottan tails they have here are way small compared to the Snowshoe hares up north.

Kodiac400 · 09-30-2008, 09:13 PM

I agree with the others. If the 12 gauge is your only option use 7 1/2's or 8 and this should keep the bunnies intact. And like andrew cochran said above aim for the nose.

Good luck and keep us posted.

elmer fudd · 09-30-2008, 09:59 PM

wow i would hate that when i hunt them bunnies i always use a .22 so that would make me mad but i guess you cant do it so just use like what there all saying

miekelle · 10-01-2008, 01:07 AM

use double x magnum no.4 copper coated shot in 2 3/4" its good or winchester RANGERS no.4

Winchester

in australia where i live i use a side by side 16 gauge on rabbits RIOS no.4 or SUPER X no.4 with a 28" barrel with 2 3/4" chamber i also use a 12 gauge with winchester shells. as a rifle i use a 94 winchester lever action rifle that chambers winchwester .22 magnum with a 26" barrel and a scope. ive destroyed rabbits with 44-40s use number 4 shot at close range aim at the head and just kill it . are u able to get a hold of an air rifle????? i know some great pellets. =)=)=

sell33 · 10-01-2008, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyro01

I wanted to practice lining up the iron sights using a .22 rifle on rabbits. But rabbit-hunting with a shotgun has practical purposes I suppose as well. Thanks for the input sell33, nice to know the shot won't damage the pelts too badly, provided it's not within too close a range.

yeah i really think you will be fine with a shotgun...the only time i ever tear them up is when the dumba** rabbits run straight at me or i get trigger happy and jump the gun....sometimes i honestly wish i had bigger shot than 7 1/2 b that is what i always use. some warm days they will get up a little ways ahead and 7 1/2s just don't quite reach out far enough.

Pyro01 · 10-04-2008, 11:28 PM

Well, I now got a Savage Arms .22 Model 64 autoloader. Still can't kill rabbits and squirrels in my county, but at least I have a gun now whose ammo is inexpensive. Muha!

AllAlaskan · 10-07-2008, 12:51 PM

What about a .22 pistal? Are those legal for game?

Pyro01 · 10-07-2008, 10:28 PM

Well, I just checked the regulation book, it says in my area I'm entitled to use handguns, muzzleloaders, and shotguns. However, I don't own a .22 pistol. If I'm going to get a handgun, I want to save up for a .454 Cassul revolver. I've shot a .22 pistol, it's pretty fun, but I want a big-ass handgun cause that's how I roll. After that, we'll consider a 9mm and .22 pistol. I've shot a 9mm Baretta with a laser sight, that was a pretty accurate gun, and I've shot a Luger which was quite fun. Another thing I was considering that I might buy before a Casull would be an old Buffalo blackpowder revolver. They are under $250 in my area.

AllAlaskan · 10-08-2008, 02:58 AM

Ya I want to get a .454 Cassul too

they are fun to shoot.

Pyro01 · 10-09-2008, 11:15 AM

Rabbit hunting with a Casull anyone? ^_-

bunce · 10-09-2008, 11:32 PM

try a bow :P

09-30-2008, 01:20 PM	#1
Pyro01 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Midwestern WI Posts: 53 Images: 3	Poor, poor rabbits... So I'm in Dunn county in WI that doesn't allow the use of rifles in the lower half of the county for any type of game hunting. That means the rabbit hunting I'm going to be doing soon will not be with a .22 rifle. No, those poor guys are gonna be taking #7 1/2 lead game, 12 gauge shotshells. Those poor bastards aren't even going to have a chance to twitch. If the rifle restriction were just for deer, I'd understand, but that applies to all small game too. Poor guys. Well, guess I can say goodbye to getting some decent pelts out of this. Maybe I'll get lucky if I only get the head. Any suggestions for preserving a rabbit pelt when using a shotgun?

09-30-2008, 03:50 PM	#4
tippmann7 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Attica, Ohio Posts: 924	why would you want a rifle for rabbits? your shots will be on the run so a shotgun will be a much better option anyway __________________ energizer bunny arrested, charged with battery

09-30-2008, 06:02 PM	#9
andrew cochran Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Little town in ARKANSAW! Posts: 2,331	They work but not like a .22 rifle or a shotgun. __________________ If you don't have anything good to say... Don't say it!

09-30-2008, 09:59 PM	#12
elmer fudd Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: pheasant country USA! Posts: 2,030	wow i would hate that when i hunt them bunnies i always use a .22 so that would make me mad but i guess you cant do it so just use like what there all saying __________________ spur hard, shoot straight, party hardy!

10-04-2008, 11:28 PM	#15
Pyro01 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Midwestern WI Posts: 53 Images: 3	Well, I now got a Savage Arms .22 Model 64 autoloader. Still can't kill rabbits and squirrels in my county, but at least I have a gun now whose ammo is inexpensive. Muha! __________________ Hahaha, suck railgun wabbit!

09-30-2008, 01:57 PM	#2
Cyrano Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New York Posts: 3,044	Would they do anything to you if you used a .410 with a slug load? Granted, it's still like using an elephant gun to kill a deer, but at least it would be a slug and if you're good enough to make a head shot you wouldnt' ruin the meat and could still salvage the pelts.

09-30-2008, 03:48 PM	#3
Pyro01 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Midwestern WI Posts: 53 Images: 3	Unfortunately I don't have a .410 shotgun to take rabbits with, but it's certainly legal and within reason in my county.

09-30-2008, 03:52 PM	#5
sell33 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,399	wow thats dumb...i thought it was bad enough not being able ot deer hunt with a rifle..but nothing? i rabbit hunt with a 12 gauge tho and the pelts usually don't really get too tore up....i can never even see those 7 1/2 holes unless i accidentally shoot one too close....but obviously i always try for the head so wehn i hit there that is even better lol. the only other suggestion i would have is to buy a nice pellet gun and use that...i woudl imagine that would be legal and it would be plenty for shooting rabbits.

09-30-2008, 03:57 PM	#6
Pyro01 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Midwestern WI Posts: 53 Images: 3	I wanted to practice lining up the iron sights using a .22 rifle on rabbits. But rabbit-hunting with a shotgun has practical purposes I suppose as well. Thanks for the input sell33, nice to know the shot won't damage the pelts too badly, provided it's not within too close a range.

09-30-2008, 05:35 PM	#7
andrew cochran Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Little town in ARKANSAW! Posts: 2,331	I feel bad for ya man. But maybe move to #8 shot. And aim for the nose. That is as good as I can tell ya. __________________ If you don't have anything good to say... Don't say it!

09-30-2008, 05:44 PM	#8
Cyrano Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New York Posts: 3,044	The ads on The Outdoor Channel show Gamo Whisper airguns that take raccoons and squirrels with .22 pellets. I read someplace that they're flying at about 900 fps. Ought to be powerful enough to make head shots on a rabbit for a one shot kill. Worth looking into?

09-30-2008, 08:30 PM	#10
AllAlaskan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: In HOT North East Texas Missing COLD South Central Alaska Posts: 822	My brother had a Airrifle that shot at 600fps and i had one that did 550fps and we use to kill Snowshoe Hares up in alaska all the time and im not sure about where you live but im in Texas at the momant and i know the cottan tails they have here are way small compared to the Snowshoe hares up north.

09-30-2008, 09:13 PM	#11
Kodiac400 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Brunswick Posts: 52	I agree with the others. If the 12 gauge is your only option use 7 1/2's or 8 and this should keep the bunnies intact. And like andrew cochran said above aim for the nose. Good luck and keep us posted.

10-01-2008, 01:07 AM	#13
miekelle Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 96	use double x magnum no.4 copper coated shot in 2 3/4" its good or winchester RANGERS no.4 Winchester in australia where i live i use a side by side 16 gauge on rabbits RIOS no.4 or SUPER X no.4 with a 28" barrel with 2 3/4" chamber i also use a 12 gauge with winchester shells. as a rifle i use a 94 winchester lever action rifle that chambers winchwester .22 magnum with a 26" barrel and a scope. ive destroyed rabbits with 44-40s use number 4 shot at close range aim at the head and just kill it . are u able to get a hold of an air rifle????? i know some great pellets. =)=)=

10-07-2008, 12:51 PM	#16
AllAlaskan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: In HOT North East Texas Missing COLD South Central Alaska Posts: 822	What about a .22 pistal? Are those legal for game?

10-07-2008, 10:28 PM	#17
Pyro01 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Midwestern WI Posts: 53 Images: 3	Well, I just checked the regulation book, it says in my area I'm entitled to use handguns, muzzleloaders, and shotguns. However, I don't own a .22 pistol. If I'm going to get a handgun, I want to save up for a .454 Cassul revolver. I've shot a .22 pistol, it's pretty fun, but I want a big-ass handgun cause that's how I roll. After that, we'll consider a 9mm and .22 pistol. I've shot a 9mm Baretta with a laser sight, that was a pretty accurate gun, and I've shot a Luger which was quite fun. Another thing I was considering that I might buy before a Casull would be an old Buffalo blackpowder revolver. They are under $250 in my area. __________________ Hahaha, suck railgun wabbit!

10-08-2008, 02:58 AM	#18
AllAlaskan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: In HOT North East Texas Missing COLD South Central Alaska Posts: 822	Ya I want to get a .454 Cassul too they are fun to shoot.

10-09-2008, 11:15 AM	#19
Pyro01 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Midwestern WI Posts: 53 Images: 3	Rabbit hunting with a Casull anyone? ^_- __________________ Hahaha, suck railgun wabbit!

10-09-2008, 11:32 PM	#20
bunce Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 24	try a bow :P