I have found over the years that the benefits of small game hunting are numerous and very helpful in honing general hunting skills. What have been some of the benefit's of small game hunting in your life? And for those who don't chase lesser game why not?

I drag my bow everywhere with me if there is any hunting open so it's sometimes hard to say just when hunting starts and ends sometimes. If I'm on a fire wood run I'll do a quick sweep for rabbits and grouse. My son Gunther and I spent most of this summer hiking the mountains around our house. He rode in a back pack type baby carrier, it was a great way to train for sheep he got steadily heavier as I got stronger. We were never without a bow, marmot aren't half bad table fare and in the fall they have enough fat to make bacon plus decent fur. Small game hunting has definitely helped my stalking abilities through practice and if you can hit a rabbit a moose is easy. So there's better skills, closer family and meat for the pot.

Honing shooting skills on small game. Trying to hit small targets like squirrels or rabbits makes me concentrate harder. Plus, its another day of shooting the bow. You can always add stumpshooting to your small game chase. Anything to hone the shooting skills plus a fun day outdoors.

I'd kill to hunt with my bow!!!  :D  

Not only is small game hunting great fun (sometimes more fun than big game hunting), great practice for big game, it is like Joe said... another day of shooting the bow.

I know it's made me a better game shot and there always seems to be some small game animal in season.

And whatever the animal, I just love being out there hunting with my bow.

When my butt is sore from sitting long hours in the treestand nothing gets me back in the groove like shooting AT some squirrels.RC

Stress relief.


-There's no pressure to come home with a "trophy"...or anything at all.  

-Weapon doesn't matter, they'll make you a good shot with whatever you shoot.

-Seems, for me, it's a much more spontaneous decision.   Just get up and go. With deer (and the other "big game" I've not hunted) there seems to be a lot of preliminary work and decisions.

Not much to add to what you guys have said...so I think I'll grab my bow and take my beagle for an outing this afternoon to see if we can find some bunnies.

Small game is great table fare, good practice, and has the potential to offer considerable chances for comraderie and good times. Mostly its just plain fun. Its how I interested my sons in bowhunting.                      Grant

The way I see it target practice is a good way to practice your release. I have a hard time concentrating on multiple shots at a target. Stump shooting for me is the way I practice with my bow. Small game is the best way to practice your stump shooting.

Variable distances, live targets you cant get better than this! It will make you a better hunter.

Rabbits, squirrels, grouse, etc make some fine eating and usually there is a lot more action when hunting them.

No tag applications.No zones.Can pack the animal out easily.Long seasons.Great game to train the youngins on.

Lots of fun with a better chance of seeing game. It is much easier to gain access to hunt small game on lands that otherwise are off limits for deer and the likes. Me and Joe have some of our best times together hunting rabbits and squirrel and just hanging out in the woods.

For all the reasons already stated. More shots and for me personaly, more enjoyment.

great eating , great challenge, and also a great time to do a little off season deer scouting..while chasing bunnies.

God bless small game... and their inability to get downwind.

Nothing, not a deer, bear, or elk alive, will ever get me to small like a great day of small game hunting. It's just too much fun. I'll take frogs, squirrel, porcupine, etc...over any deer, anyday...

I love small game I always see more squirels earlier in the year when I can't tear my self away from my big buck killing plans that never seem to pan out.  
I really get a rush when I stalk a squirel and he starts to wander into easy shooting range. When I told my serious hunting buddies that they laughed.

Going on a squirrel or rabbit hunt does you more good for big game than going to 100 3-D shoots.   BILL

Keeps your arrow making skills sharp
 :D

It's all hunting to me.

It gives you a reason not to do the "Honey-do list"