Arizona Jack Rabbit

[azshaun]

I know this isn’t very exciting for seasoned hunters, but I am finding I really enjoy small game hunting... especially with my 41 Mag. Helps be gain confidence in my gun and it’s fun!

1st scheduled hunt got postponed due to illness scheduled for 11/28. Main goals is to explore Arizona unit 37B near Florence, AZ. I have been drawn for my javelina tags, and not being familiar with the unit, I need some time over there to explore and see what I see. My son wants to go with me. Figure out He qualifies for a hunting permit which is needed on State land! Got him his combo fish/hunt license for ONLY $5! He is so excited for his first license! I make arrangements with my FIL to pick up his 22 rifle for My son’s use. Going to pick it up in the AM on the way out. Work with My son to make sure we have a cooler, drinks, and the hunting back pack had what we needed.

AM rolls around, and we are off about 7:45AM. Head to get the rifle. Pick it up, looks like it will need to be sighted in when we get there. Head out. Stop by McDonalds for some breakfast on the way, but line WAY too long... head south, get into Mesa and find a McDonalds there. Get enough breakfast sandwiches for breakfast and lunch though My son didn’t realize that. Won’t be able to get to a restaurant when in the field. Hit the highway on the way to Florence.

Uneventful drive, though enjoyable. Hit highway 79 south, start watching the left as that is all Unit 37B. Spot a turn off with a bunch of trucks for ATV, make mental note but keep going. Looking for a turn off on the other side of Florence... get to mile marker 120 and no signs on how to get to the state lands... all I see is private property. Spot a possibility on the hunting map and look to see how to get there. Turn around, back up a bit... find a paved road which SHOULD take me on a dirt path to the state land... find the road, watching the ma to make sure ... make one wrong turn, but slowly getting where I want to go. Avoid private land, and out in the desert. Little rough road, but truck handling it all like a champ. Really thankful for the truck.

Find a spot to site in the rifle, as soon as I open the door and step out, spot a rabbit jump and run away!!!! Man!!! Set up a Culver’s cup as a target, get the little screw driver out, and begin the work. Sit on the ground and get reminded the joys of the desert in my posterior!!! Can’t react... remain tough for... My son ... begin firing the rifle, with a few reminders to My son to spot for me... finally get close enough... let my son fire a few rounds to get used to it...

Ready to go, no further signs of the rabbit... drive a little ways further, get out walk the desert a bit.... nothing but birds and the occasional ground squirrel. Let my son lead a little... don’t want a surprise in my posterior...

Return to truck and continue down the trail a bit... get closer to the mountain... trail continues around the base... find a good spot to walk... both get out... head towards the mountain... find a creak bed long since dry... My son points at all the animal tracks in the soft sand... move up the creek and spot another rabbit spooked and running up the hill... promptly reminding me of my age and weight... decide to go around and see if we can cut off the trail... climb a little... nothing... gorgeous views though...ask my son where He’d like to go... leads me down and in a big circle back to the truck...

We crossed back to the creek bed and decided to hike back away... spot some quail... ground squirrels... eventually crossing back across the dirt road, slowly scanning as we make our way to the truck... up ahead finally spot a jack rabbit up ahead and to the left, darted across to the right and behind... I spin to follow, and it springs a jack we had walked by and didn’t even know it was there. I tracked both for a minute, they separated, and I caught the general direction of one... with gun at the ready, we slowly stalked towards the area I spotted... My son behind... starting to think I lost it... approached a small tree/bush... side step to the left, when I spot the Jack sitting there between the bushes. My son was at bad angle, would have had to shoot through the bush... so I took one more step to the left... one shot... My son whooped! It back flipped! Kicked a few seconds and done... first thought! Now I have to clean it!!!

My son is immediately weirded out... ask him to stand here while I go get my backpack... return ... turns out was about a 7 yard shot...y son hasn’t moved... start looking around on how I was going to do this... spot a dead log a little over, we decided on there. On the way, My son takes a picture of Dad...

Dad began the work... slowly... every once in a while, I hear... That’s DisGUSTing! Eww! I’d look up and My son would be as far away as he dared... “glad I haven’t had lunch, Dad, I think I lost my appetite!” Every once in a while, I’d have him hold my knife as I worked, and figured it out... finally, got done, bagged, and heading back to the truck!

“Thanks, Dad! I think this would have been a good trip even if we didn’t get the rabbit! “

I asked him if he is ready to get his own? No,I’m good.

Loaded up and headed out.... My son did eat a sandwich about 20 minutes later and we hadn’t talked about the rabbit in a while.

Now, to figure out how to cook it....

[alukban]

I actually prefer small game hunting too

Please do post pics when you cook er up!

[azshaun]

If I could, I would... making a German beer Hasenpfeffer... it’s in the oven now for 2hrs....

chefs-table.homebrewchef.com/recipes-archive/hasenpfeffer/

[squawberryman]

Quail AND rabbits? Lucky man

[leftysixgun]

Thats pretty funny! Memories have been made!
The game being hunted doesnt have to be large to have fun, or to teach lessons!

[wheelguns]

I like small game hunting. Always seems more focused on fun, and not as serious.

[Robster]

I'm glad I am not the only small game hunter here. I sit long enough for the first deer to walk by. Put it in the freezer and back to rabbit and hare.

Sounds like an enjoyable day with your son. Nothing like making the memories that stories will be told about at family functions in the future. Keep making the memories. See my signature line.

[randyb]

I've had a reasonably successful run at big game the last few years...whitetail, mule deer, a couple elk, a bear, cougar, antelope and a couple trips to the Dark Continent.
While I dearly love chasing big game, I'm finding I'm returning to small game and upland birds again as well. The small game seasons are longer and offer multiple chances to hunt and bag game.

A few years back I was introduced to a fellow with beagles who had been running the hounds for many years. I'm now an addicted cottontail hunter. Nothing like hearing those bells ringing and beagles baying in the the thick stuff while you try to figure out where Mr Rabbit might make a break across a little opening. We always get a good walk, get a few shots in, and have some good eats at the end of the day.

We're heading out for our Christmas tree this weekend and I'll be packing the little Ruger Wrangler and hoping for a chance meeting with a snowshoe hare!

Cheers to all you small game chasers and Merry Christmas!

[38 WCF]

I am 64 Years Old and have hunted Mule Deer, Pronghorn and Elk.
Believe it or not my favorite Hunt by far is for the Lowly Jackrabbit !
Have been hunting them since I was a Kid and still love nothing more than to grab a favorite Rifle or Handgun and roam around the Desert near my Home and chase Jack's.

[bigbore5]

We don't have jackrabbits here in the southeast but we have a whole bunch of ground hog, nutria, armadillos, and even beavers for year round plus all the squirrels, coons,possum,rabbits you can shoot during small game season. It's not hard to fill your 6 regular deer tags and the 2 urban tags. It's also not to difficult to fill your black bear and 2 turkeys. After that it's load up the 38 and the 32's and go get some varmints! Getting to be alot of coyotes and pigs too! No bag limits or closed seasons.
I kill alot of pests every year. Probably 50 or more times as many as big game or more. Love it and would hunt everyday if I could just win the dang lottery!