Bunnies & Beagles

[Tominator]

I had a buddy from work come over today with his 2 beagles. I've been telling him for the last couple years that I have a fair amount of rabbits in my fields and surrounding fencerows and he's welcome to bring his dogs out anytime.

So anyway, he finally made it out to my place. We jumped and ran at least 10 rabbits and got none of them. I carried my .22 because to be quite honest with you, I've had my fill of rabbit hunting this year, but I figured if I get one out in the open, and it stands still enough, I might get a shot off. Well, turns out, I got 2 shots off, both on running rabbits, one at about 50 yards (missed him by an inch or so) and the other rabbit was haulin' the mail across a picked corn field. I took that shot at about 70 yards or so--I have no clue how badly I missed. .

Roger never raised his gun, just one of those days when the rabbits didn't run in front of him. His wife Kris missed 5 times.

I think they're new to hunting bunnies with rabbits, because they tended to follow the dogs when they were on track. . At one point I told Kris "Stay right here, that rabbit is going to come right down that fencerow." alas, she moved when I went to put the dog on the right track, and sure enough, the rabbit went right where I told her. lol. Another time I told her to "stradle this fencerow, and Roger and I will push one towards you." Well, we indeed push at least one right to her, but she was on the east side of the fencerow, and she missed 2 more. Funny in a way, frustrating in another.

Oh well, it was fun, and I think the dogs had fun too.

[carbonhunter]

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I think they're new to hunting bunnies with rabbits,

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Now this I have to see, what are ya doing tomarrow

[too_pointer]

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, both on running rabbits, one at about 50 yards (missed him by an inch or so)

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Man, doesn't that sound like a hunter I always only miss by an 1". Do I have to make an appreciation thread for you now LOL.
too_

[lil hunter]

lol too. Sounds like you had some fun Chris.

[fisherguy]

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I think they're new to hunting bunnies with rabbits,

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Now this I have to see, what are ya doing tomarrow

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I was going to say the same thing. Hmmm running bunny at 70 yards with a .22....you missed why?lol

[Tominator]

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I think they're new to hunting bunnies with rabbits,

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Now this I have to see, what are ya doing tomarrow

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Come on out Aaron. The wife and 2 kids are gone, we can take a walk if you want to.

[lilbuckmaster]

I was wondering if you could give me some tips for training my rabbit dogs/

[Tominator]

Well, I think most beaglers will tell you that a dog either has it or doesn't. I really don't know how much you can train a hound except to run them a lot.

One breeder told me that he would take a hot dog and drag it all over the house and then hide the hot dog at the end of the trail, then he would put the puppy on the start of the trail, and if he found the hot dog, he got to eat a bit of it. After the dog gets older, you can to the same thing with a live domestic rabbit in the back yard or something--except for the dog eating at the end part.

[too_pointer]

Matthew is right as far as running them with older dogs. My uncle always had some that were great hunting dogs, and he would start a pup running with a proven hunter. If you know anyone with such a dog, I would put my pup with that on a few rabbits.
too_pointer

[Alisha]

We just had to put one of our beagles down last month on the 25th so this thread is bringing back lots of good memories of when we used to take them out. He would have been 15 come August 12th this year. We still have his brother who is going strong but also growing fat in his old age!

There's nothing like going out and listening to a couple of beagles run! I agree with too pointer - the best experience for a young dog is to take it out with an older dog or dogs that have been known to run rabbits and not deer! I remember the only time Jake (the one we had put to sleep) ever ran a deer, we saw him high tailing it back across the field below the road we were on with a big doe right on his heels! LOL Never again did he run another one... lesson learned eh?!

Tominator - sounds like you had a fun trip! Take that 12 gauge next time.... and carry along some glue to keep your friends wife in place!

[too_pointer]

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I agree with too pointer -

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LOL, now theres a first Listen guys, this is a smart woman
too_

[Orion_70]

I know I miss my Beagles and hunting those rabbits. I had 2 growing up, Porkchop and T-Bone, they were the best rabbit hounds in the South, well Ever They gave me hours and hours of hunting pleasure. There is nothing like listening to a few beagles burn up a rabbit trail. Music to my ears..

[lilbuckmaster]

I started her a couple of months ago.She was doing real good so I took her out.She acted like she was trailing but then she just stoped and looked at me.Do you think I just need to work with her some more?

[lilbuckmaster]

What kind of car do you have?

[Alisha]

After the dog looked up at you, did she completely give up on the trail and come over to you? If so, I would have taken her back to where she left off to see if she could pick it back up again. Sometimes when they're young and just starting out, they're easily distracted by things. Try to take her out every weekend or so just to let her "practice" and if she doesn't get the hang of it by herself then try to get ahold of someone with a more experienced beagle or a group of beagles that she can run with(like suggested above)! Have you ever heard the saying, monkey see, monkey do? Well, beagle see (or in this case smell!), beagle do! Corny I know, but so true!

By the way - I PM'd you.