I had a brainstorm about 5 years ago of putting together a trad bow bunny hunt. Our bunny season used to end here in Indiana the end of January and the best hunting always seems to be in Febuary. So together with Jim Johnson (big time Mich. bunny chaser) and my father we invited a bunch of our friends to have some fun chasin' bunnies for a day. Yesterday was our fifth annual bunny hunt and we had a blast. We had 16 hunters (8 hoosiers 8 michiganders) and three beagles. 25-28 degree temps, 5 inches of fresh snow, light southeast wind and bunnies galore.
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/deanvanderhorst/k-zoo-bunnyhunt017.jpg)
Started about 9 am, a few bunnies ran right to holes because of the heavy snow but after a half hour or so we found some that wanted to have so fun runnin'.
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/deanvanderhorst/k-zoo-bunnyhunt019.jpg)
Josh I think came out to watch last year and decided to join in the fun this year and arrowed the first bunny of the day.
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/deanvanderhorst/k-zoo-bunnyhunt028.jpg)
Always stop mid day for some awsome chili. This year was bear and venison chili with venison braut chasers. Felt like a bloat coon after lunch.
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/deanvanderhorst/k-zoo-bunnyhunt029.jpg)
The morning produced alot of shooting for everyone but yielded only 2 rabbits and it was tied up.. Hoosiers 1 Michiganders 1.
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/deanvanderhorst/k-zoo-bunnyhunt037.jpg)
Josh connected again pretty quick. Beginners luck I think :)
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/deanvanderhorst/k-zoo-bunnyhunt040.jpg)
Jim Evans and Ron Bergeron with his Morrison prototype followed up with connecting shots soon after.
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/deanvanderhorst/k-zoo-bunnyhunt041.jpg)
Todd Smith waiting for a bunny to come hopping by.
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/deanvanderhorst/k-zoo-bunnyhunt044.jpg)
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/deanvanderhorst/k-zoo-bunnyhunt048.jpg)
With day light waining and the dogs pretty whipped we headed home. 6 bunnies in all, lots of oppertunities for everybody, and best of all we had an awsome time again. Michiganders took the title this year... 4 to 2. But we had to let them have one, hoosiers had the title the last two years. :biglaugh:
good job fellows....i sure hope we can get into some bunnies in are hunt on the febr...16th...you fellows are more than welcome to come...check the michigan bunny stomp post.
Believe me, the thought has crossed our minds. Todd and my son both have annual tags and I was the cheap skate and only bought a 3 day. But ya never know, I might spring for another one and come up and join you guys. We did talk about it on the way home last night. dino
we'd love to have ya...this is state land we will be hunting ..so i know it gets it share of pressure...hopefully some of the dogs will come thru and do their part....6 bunnies is a heck of a day with trad gear and your group...gotta love it...
And the funny thing is about a half dozen of us (me included, as I hang my head) missed easy no excuse chip shots. But thats huntin'. dino
Thought I would throw on a couple of pics from last years hunt too. Last year was a cold one. 8 degree was the high, 20 mph + winds with short snow squals all day but no shortage of shooting.
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/deanvanderhorst/225.jpg)
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/deanvanderhorst/215-1.jpg)
Jerry Ross with his BBO showing us yunguns how to shoot a bunny. And that was runnin' too!!
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/deanvanderhorst/222.jpg)
Sean trying to talk a bunny into his back quiver.
4-1 Hoosiers if memory serves. This year we had a lot of fun because we had a half dozen or so spectators that stopped and joined us because they thought there was no way someone could take a bunny with one of those bows. Always fun showing guys what a stickbow can do. dino
Looks like a great time!! 6 bunnies is nothing to cry about for a day of bunny hunting with Trad gear. Sounds like you guys have a pretty good spot!!
Pretty blessed with out spot. Its not very big and an old farmer lets us hunt their just because were using stickbows. Doesn't allow gun hunting there. Always produces ALOT of shooting!!
damn i've got to go on a diet LOL That was a blast, as it is every year. thanks goes out to you and your dad and big jim. ron
we can't win every year, besides we just wanted to make sure you hoosiers came back this year.... :bigsmyl:
:biglaugh: