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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Zbearclaw on July 02, 2012, 11:23:00 AM

Title: CA rabbit opener
Post by: Zbearclaw on July 02, 2012, 11:23:00 AM
I was supposed to make a 25 mile round-trip scouting trip on the mountain bike with a buddy and hunt rabbits along the way, but we had a popped tire that neither were prepared for so insead we hiked into another drainage about 3-4 miles and hunted rabbits along the way and glassed for the coming deer opener in 2 weeks.

I ended up with two rabbits and also was able to find some good water back in a bone dry area so I hope that leads to a buck to stalk in a few weeks.

   (http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu112/ZekeB/4c4d1cc2.jpg)

Great morning trip and it looks like the mountain bike mission will be completed in the early morning on Independence Day, I sure hope the bunnies are ready for a trip to Santa Barbara...
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: KentuckyTJ on July 02, 2012, 12:21:00 PM
Nice work and good luck with the thirsty deer!
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: Zbearclaw on July 02, 2012, 12:25:00 PM
I just realized it was my first critter with that particular bow I made.

Makes it even tastier!

Thanks for the luck, I'll take it.  Hunting temps that cross three digits by 9am is a different beast, but bowhunting deer in mid-July is pretty cool!

Everything is liberal out here, especially the hunting opportunity for those willing to put in the effort.
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: on July 02, 2012, 02:22:00 PM
Congrats!

Bisch
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: rxhntr on July 02, 2012, 05:36:00 PM
Awsome, I saw 2 bunnies the other day--didnt think it was open.
What bow are you shooting?
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: Zbearclaw on July 02, 2012, 05:50:00 PM
RX,

It is a 3 piece takedown longbow that I made.  I had been huntng with a heavier bow (that I also made) but am in the process of adding some laminations to that riser so I have been shooting this one for a few weeks.
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: Richie on July 02, 2012, 08:16:00 PM
Nice shooting    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: Roadkill on July 03, 2012, 12:03:00 AM
I love bunny hunting. Too early for us. Last season i took 24 off one ranch. Cannot wait,butnow chase marmots
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: coaster500 on July 03, 2012, 12:09:00 AM
Well done bunny and bow....  I like the limb splices or is that some crazy sapwood, either way looks great?

Need to come on over to the Bowyer Bench  and share some of your skill  :)
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: Zbearclaw on July 03, 2012, 12:17:00 AM
Thanks guys!  Rabbits are amazing fun and great eating.  I'm moving towards a goal of only eating things I killed.  I figure pocket full of tags and spearfishing and crab/ lobster hunting I may just make it happen this next year.

The bow is desert actionwood, I think I posted this one up a while back but haven't posted much in a while.  Have a few projects that I will get up there soon!
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: CalArcher on July 03, 2012, 11:03:00 AM
Hi Zeke, I spearfish/breath-hold dive as well. Love chasing bugs too! I generally dive where the kelp beds are, but Leo is my usual spot.
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: Killdeer on July 03, 2012, 11:12:00 AM
And here I was looking for a manually operated device constructed entirely of "green" materials...   :p

Killdeer
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: Paul/KS on July 03, 2012, 11:32:00 AM
Good shooting..!  :thumbsup:  I remember the Summer deer hunting season in California. Mostly I remember the heat and snakes...  :eek:  
Rabbits are always in season here in Kansas but it's not a good idea to eat them in the Summer.  :nono:
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: Zbearclaw on July 03, 2012, 11:39:00 AM
I have not seen any worms in the rabbits out here, and these were as clean as any critter I have brought home.

CalArcher,
I am just getting back into the water after a few years away.  I mostly hit the areas noth of Ventura up thru Gaviota.

Thanks again everyone.
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: trad_bowhunter1965 on July 04, 2012, 12:51:00 PM
I just got back from Montana I can't wait to get out to night and get some cotton tails.
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: Thumper Dunker on July 04, 2012, 01:01:00 PM
Love chassing bunnies. Nice spot there. Your out in shorts and tennis shoes.
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: chinook907 on July 04, 2012, 05:47:00 PM
Looks like fun.  Nice goin' on the bunny.
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: Zbearclaw on July 05, 2012, 10:31:00 AM
I got another yesterday and a huge jackrabbit.  

We were primarily focusing on scouting, which went great, so I did not spend much time hunting.

All in all a great July 4th covering a good 25-30 miles of great country on the mountain bike...

Deer season opens in 9 days out here!
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: twitchstick on July 05, 2012, 10:35:00 AM
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: trad_bowhunter1965 on July 05, 2012, 11:07:00 AM
Get them Zeke!!
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: LBshooter2 on July 05, 2012, 11:19:00 AM
Deer season in July? How long of a season do you guys have out there?
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: Zbearclaw on July 05, 2012, 12:15:00 PM
This particular zone is from mid July - September 23 (with a break in the middle) between the end of the archery season and the start of the general season.

I have an "AO" tag which means I can basically hunt in many zones from mid-July until I fill the tag or the end of October.

I also have a late-season archery only either-sex tag that goes from September - the end of December.

When I moved out here I had no idea the hunting opportunities.  Unless you draw a premium tag or have access to a honey hole it isn't fantastic hunting, but is still hunting, and that is awesome.
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: Thumper Dunker on July 05, 2012, 04:40:00 PM
Im too old and fat(lazy) for that A zone stuff.But might try a spot. Our deer seasons and deer hunting is not the hotest but we have more coyotes and pigs than Most other western states.
Title: Re: CA rabbit opener
Post by: Shinken on July 05, 2012, 09:07:00 PM
Nice bunnies ZBC!

Good shootin' and eatin'!

Shoot straight, Shinken

   :archer2: