Rabbit hunting??

[DukesArcher]

What is the rabbit population like in Alberta? Is there a big population?

In Europe, cottontails are pretty much in epidemic proportions is most parts of the countryside. In fact, most rabbit hunting is done at night with a spotlight as is is the most effective way to control them.


Have lost count of the amount I have shot with the 22lr/17hmr. Since I have a skilled workers permit, would be nice to get a rimfire and put some down over here. I hear that groundhogs are a major pest species over here?

To be honest, what I would really like is a lever action in 22wmr. Would be pretty neat, I reckon,.

Cheers

[protect]

seen my first rabbit this fall and its almost white, sure that is the reason i seen lol

[HunterDave]

In this part of Canada the rabbit population has a 10 year cycle. At year number 1, there are very few rabbits around and at the 10th year, they are everywhere.....then they die off and the cycle begins again. Based purely on what I've seen, we are at or very close to the end of the cycle.

[DukesArcher]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

In this part of Canada the rabbit population has a 10 year cycle. At year number 1, there are very few rabbits around and at the 10th year, they are everywhere.....then they die off and the cycle begins again. Based purely on what I've seen, we are at or very close to the end of the cycle.

Kind of a shame as rabbit is on of my favourite meats.

[calgarychef]

While we were in England I was astonished to see how many rabbits were about. What a great food source and fun thing to hunt. We don't have rabbits in those numbers but if you head into the bush and learn to hunt them you'll get some. It's different than england, here you find thick willows etc. and walk really slowly and use binoculars to look for the eyes and ear tips. There's lots in some areas and they're yummy but at bit tougher than English rabbits so you'll have to cook them a bit longer.

[huntinalberta]

Originally Posted by DukesArcher

Kind of a shame as rabbit is on of my favourite meats.

Yeah they are delicious, I havnt seen a whole lot of them but it might just be i haven't been hunting in the right area for them.

[leeaspell]

I just snare them, set it and check in the am. Nothing like a pot if rabbit soup on a cold winters day

[waterninja]

Originally Posted by protect

seen my first rabbit this fall and its almost white, sure that is the reason i seen lol

Ive seen a lot of rabbits lately (2 last night) but thankfully non showing any white yet.

[Twobucks]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

In this part of Canada the rabbit population has a 10 year cycle. At year number 1, there are very few rabbits around and at the 10th year, they are everywhere.....then they die off and the cycle begins again. Based purely on what I've seen, we are at or very close to the end of the cycle.

Interesting. If I read this right, you believe numbers are high right now, correct?

I've shot two Mtn cottontails this year - both were surprises while I was out for grouse (which also seem to be doing well this year). The cottontails don't change colour in winter - I've found them up high in the foothills.

Both bunnies are waiting for the right night to get braised. So good.

[coyotezh]

Originally Posted by waterninja

Ive seen a lot of rabbits lately (2 last night) but thankfully non showing any white yet.

I found some too, but that was in Edmonton city....

[bobalong]

I have been doing quite a bit of driving spotting geese the last three weeks and have not seen a single rabbit, so not many where I was. Lots of coyotes though, maybe that is why I have not seen many rabbits.....going to be a good year for coyote hunting.

[Dunezilla]

Where I hunt there were a good number of them (last year), but I saw only two this year & one is in the freezer now.