CHRIS SMITH

Rabbit hunting dates back for centuries I suppose, but it is still fun to many East Texas hunters.

We have two different types of rabbits in East Texas, the Cottontail and the Swamp Rabbit. Technically they are both Cottontails but separate in habitat and have several differences.

Cottontails are the smaller of the two (2-3 pounds) with slightly longer, thinner ears. The “Swamper” is larger (up to 6 pounds) and will have shorter rounded ears.

An old rabbit hunter once told me to check the rabbits back feet. “If the toenails were longer than the fur on its feet it was a Swamp Rabbit as Cottontail toenails were concealed in the fur.”

Swampers will almost always be found in wetlands or “swampy” areas and swimming is common for them. Swamper males are territorial and if you have ever saw a rabbit sitting on a stump or fallen tree, it was most likely a Swamp Rabbit.

Getting on a stump elevates their viewpoint to see possible intruders to his stretch of swamp.

There are many different ways to pursue the rabbit but a spot and stalk hunt is my favorite. Easing along through the briar patches or overgrown fence rows hoping to jump a rabbit is first. Secondly getting a clear shot at the target as it darted in and out of thick cover was harder.

Finally executing a good shot at the running, bouncing, zigging and zagging was the hardest. Many rabbit hunters prefer the use of dogs and more often the diminutive hound or Beagle is the most popular choice. The little hounds hunted until they found fresh scent or actually jumped a rabbit.

The dogs trailed along following the scent barking and crying out all the while.

As I was growing up, my older brothers had Beagles. Of course the Beagles were used to hunt rabbits. The dogs were released and followed until they jumped a rabbit. Getting in front of the race to get a shot at the running rabbit usually was a healthy workout.

Much running, followed by sudden stops if the beagles lost the scent, followed by bursts of more running. Getting a couple or three rabbits in a morning hunt was usually enough exercise for us and the beagles. Many times we would not bring guns but let the dogs work to stay sharp and oh how those dogs loved to hunt. When we did bring guns, a light shotgun in 20 or 28 gauge was used and as earlier mentioned a running rabbit is a respectable target.

The spot and stalk hunters will use different tactics to put their fired rabbit and gravy meal together. These folks will hunt the wetter areas and move much slower and deliberate.

Spotting one before it spots you is the key and a .22 rifle or pistol is perfect this method of hunting.

Rabbit hunting is wildly popular in different areas and it doesn’t take a large amount of land or huge private lease. There are plenty of places to hunt public land and try out your rabbit hunting skills.

Just remember rabbit goes best with brown gravy!