Bogley

[Gutpiler_Utahn]

So, I've decided I can't take it anymore. I'm heading down to my usual spot just outside of Nephi on BLM land for some hunting of the bunnies. Haven't been there since May and there were a LOT of sign at the time, though I only got one of the several that I saw.

Anybody down my way interested in coming along? I think I need to load up some more .44Mag ammo for my Winnie 94 before I head out. I'll have to check my supply first. If you're interested, send me a PM with your phone number and we'll set something up.

I don't have a video camera, only your run of the mill digital camera. Regardless of whether I'm hoofing it alone or with others, I'll post pics. :2thumbs:

[accadacca]

Ewww looking forward to the pix. I have had two little ones sick the last few days and a very pregnant wife. Yup, I'm out! :nono: :haha:

[Gutpiler_Utahn]

Well I got out there but couldn't find my spot of choice. On my way back through the area, I stopped at a new spot where some bunny hunters had just stopped and were gearing up to go. After a short chat, we determined that I had no idea where I was going and they invited me along. We walked around and almost right away saw a big jack about 20yds ahead. I let a round or two fly from my .44 Mag and missed. By the time I saw him again, he was a good 125-150yds away. This didn't stop the others by any means. One of the fellas had a .300 Win Mag and let several hunks of lead fly, but nobody could connect and it decided Colorado was a safer place to be.

A short while later, a smaller jack flies across my shooting zone and I let another 240gr hollow point fly. Unfortunately, I forgot to lead like I would with a shotgun and the snow flew just behind him. In the end, he made it another 100yds or so before getting tagged by that .300. I didn't bother to look at the carnage. :ne_nau: Not 10 steps later, another one head away from me, but not in my shooting zone, so I call a warning to the guys off to my right. His flight ended with several blasts from a .40 Glock look-a-like. We walked a LOT more, head into some cedars, and this big jack comes tearing through our midst and heads off behind us. A fella with a BLR in .223 swings on him, fires a shot, and people start laughing. I'm looking around and all I can see is fur floating on the wind. I have to admit, seeing the carnage from a .223 Ballistic Tip made me grin.

That was the last bunny that didn't break a good 150 yds in front of us. Didn't really see any more to speak of, though there were fresh tracks EVERYWHERE. Also saw some older footprints so I figure somebody got the about a week ago and they were still spooked. I'll give it a month before I head back to that spot.

On another note, I did see quite a bit of coyote & bobcat tracks, many of which were fresh. Once I get set up, I may have to make a few stands out there. :2thumbs: Sorry for the lack of pictures. I left my camera in the car by accident and didn't rightly feel like dragging the decimated carcasses back to the car for some glamour shots. :roll: Not like any of them would be acceptable on here anyways. :roll:

All in all, I had a lot of fun and met some nice guys. A successful day in my book...

Oh, and I also learned that I'm out of shape. I was so thankful to find that big rock on the side of that hill. When i got home, I tried getting out of my car and my legs were jello. :popcorn:

[accadacca]

Gutpiler_Utahn wrote: Not like any of them would be acceptable on here anyways. :roll:
What would make you say that. :lol8: :assault:

[fourtycal]

Gutpiler_Utahn wrote: One of the fellas had a .300 Win Mag and let several hunks of lead fly

:roflol: Thats great! Thanks for the story, it made my day
:haha:

[DAA]

Great TR. Sounds like a fun day!

- DAA

[Rev. Coyote]

I assume you used the meat and hides?

[Glockguy]

He did use them :roflol:

[Rev. Coyote]

Glockguy wrote: He did use them :roflol:

Just trying to differentiate whether this is hunting or blood sport.

We have a raucous local debate going on around here (mountains of Virginia) about cockfighting, and I think there's some similarities. (Of course, leave it to the state that brought you "rubber truck testicle" legislation to also have a problem with people getting their jollies watching chickens kill each other.)

[Sombeech]

Glockguy wrote: He did use them :roflol:

:lol8:

Next time, just use "Slaughter" in the title. Then nobody will wander into the hunting forum and be shocked when something got killed.

EDIT: My mistake. Blasting makes the statement pretty clear. I've never sewn together a Bunny Blanket after I've blasted the pelts. Do you know how much stitching that takes???? My wife would be very busy.

[Rev. Coyote]

Sombeech wrote: Next time, just use "Slaughter" in the title. Then nobody will wander into the hunting forum and be shocked when something got killed.

It doesn't shock me anything gets killed, as I use my fair share of venison (yuuummmmmm). I'm genuinely wondering what is the fun in shooting animals you have no intention of eating. That doesn't qualify as hunting, but rather, blood sport.

Wanna just work out some frustrations blasting stuff apart? I can dig it. But use inanimate stuff. We used to tear up televisions with our SKS rifles, a "sport" I highly recommend. Let the Jacks live another day (unless, of course, you're hungry).

[Gutpiler_Utahn]

There's more to it than the kill. I can promise you that if I had made a kill, I would have tried to salvage what I could. I am looking forward to trying a new recipe I have for jacks. The other side of it is using jacks, which are considered pests and need to be thinned regularly, to help improve your shooting abilities. If I can hit a jack who's heading for the next county, then it's because I've practiced a lot in those circumstances that require instantaneous thought of where to aim, what to look for, and a general awareness of my surroundings. This will allow me to make better hits on the bigger game I seek. "Aim small, miss small." And any rabbits that are left behind serve a purpose to feed the predators of the area as well. In nature, nothing goes to waste, but I think you know that.

A jack rabbit isn't too hard to kill, which is one of the important differences here. If I even clip a jack, he's not getting far and will suffer minimally. If I did the same thing to a deer or elk, you can bet that animal would take off and likely suffer a terrible end. As an outdoorsman, I believe it's my responsibility to make the animal's passing as quick as possible.

I can appreciate what you are saying Rev. I'm not one to waste an animals life for meaningless entertainment. I've got an Xbox for that. But if some rabbits, whose numbers need to be thinned anyways, have to give their life to ease the passing of larger game, then it is not a life wasted, but a sacrifice worthy of mother nature.

Pass judgement on those of us who enjoy this past time if you will, but when I make a shot that is only possible because of the jacks I've practiced on, I will be all the more thankful and the meat I harvest all the more appreciated.

[Rev. Coyote]

Gutpiler_Utahn wrote: I can appreciate what you are saying Rev. I'm not one to waste an animals life for meaningless entertainment. I've got an Xbox for that. But if some rabbits, whose numbers need to be thinned anyways, have to give their life to ease the passing of larger game, then it is not a life wasted, but a sacrifice worthy of mother nature.


Well, OK, I guess. But you're going to feel REALLY BAD when you approach one of your kills and find a basket and a bunch of colored eggs spilled out on the ground.

So: Ever shoot a TV???

[rooster32]

TV and appliance blasting is pretty common. It's great when I'm out hunting chukars or other "things" and my bird dog ends up with a piece of glass in her foot from some azz who dumped a pickup load of "targets" out and left the pieces scattered around...

My vote is for the bunnies....the coyotes and birds of prey normally clean those up in short order, unlike the tv poachers.....

Have fun!

[Iceaxe]

Rev. Coyote wrote: Just trying to differentiate whether this is hunting or blood sport.

The PETA group is meeting down the hall on your right.

:roll: