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| Subtitle | How to Hunt Squirrels, Rabbits, Woodchucks, Coyotes, Foxes, and Other Game Animals |
| First Written | 2002 |
| Genre | Nonfiction |
| Origin | US |
| Publisher | Lyons Press |
| My Copy | library copy |
| First Read | September 04, 2020 |
The Ultimate Guide to Small Game and Varmint Hunting
I have no intention of hunting small game, but Erika and I have been talking about catching and eating rabbits all during quarantine - of course not doing it, just talking. So I saw this book at the library!
It's actually - really informative and interesting, and kind of hilarious in parts. But I think mostly I still think the word 'varmint' is funny.
Noted on September 6, 2020
Today's varmint hunters owe a great debt of gratitude to the woodchuck, or is the animal on which the sport of varmint hunting was founded. Starting with the "pest guns" of the early days, the woodchuck has been what could be termed the official unit of measure for cartridge and rifle development. It is also what helped define this type of hunting as a distinct and separate shooting sport and elevate it to its present sophisticated and high-tech status. Today it remains the most popular of all varmints, and despite all of the attention it has received over the years, still one of the most abundant.
Quoted on September 6, 2020
It was explained earlier that changing agricultural practices have caused a shifting of rabbit populations to new habitat areas. Because of this, hunters should no longer depend on finding them in what were once obvious places.
The cottontails have changed, so you must do the same.
Quoted on September 6, 2020
Walking up rabbits can be a solo endeavor or one shared by several people, but in either situation, one thing is extremely important:
Move s-1-o-w-1-y!
Rabbits are by nature very nervous creatures, and this characteristic can be used to great advantage by hunters.
The secret lies in patience. Rabbits will sit tight in cover and let hunters walk past them pretty closely as long as they keep moving. They think they'te safe, so they don't budge.
The way to play on their nerves is to build tension. Take three slow steps, then stop and remain still for 20 or 30 seconds. This causes them to suspect they've been detected, and once they get fidgety, they're going to flush and make a dash for freedom.
This also works well for the hunter, because you're anticipating the rabbit's move instead of being surprised when it bursts out. This slow stop-and-go strategy works well in all kinds of cover that can be easily walked through.
Quoted on September 6, 2020
The tradition of small game hunting in civilized America dates back to 1620 when the first Pilgrims stepped ashore at Plymouth Rock. Having accomplished their goal of reaching a sanctuary in the New World...
Quoted on September 6, 2020
Also, some of the arms and ammunition manufacturers hired professional shooters who traveled around the country staging exhibitions. The public regarded these individuals as celebrities, and an appearance by one of these experts was usually accompanied by numerous receptions and social events. The husband/wife team of Ad and Plinky Topperwein was probably the best known, but there were many others who toured the nation to great acclaim.
Quoted on September 6, 2020