This article is reprinted here for the reading pleasure of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny as authorized by the author.
This article appeared in the
July 2021 Volume 35 No.11
issue
of
THE RABBIT HUNTER
magazine
Conservation
on the Allegheny
RABBIT HUNTING GEAR
writing
and photography
by
Joe
Ewing
High
HareMan
of
the
Big
Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny
As I scan the national outdoor magazines searching
for rabbit hunting gear, I can’t help but notice the overabundance of full-length
articles featuring the latest in arms and ammo for big game hunting. These
articles feature high-powered, high-priced guns for big game hunting. Every
season a new high-powered caliber is introduced and highly touted as the
ultimate in killing power. Included is the latest in exorbitantly priced
ammunition which is intended to make killing easier, deadlier and the
all-important more fun.
Incessantly featured are expensive turkey guns flaunted as the latest in killing machineries reaching out 80 or 100 yards designed to kill that one last surviving turkey on the planet. Shotgun ammunition is now 3 ½ inches and produced in super-magnum loads with every conceivable combination of deadly loads and shot. Next year could a 4-inch shell be possible? Fancy boots and clothing for upland game hunting come on the market every year.
Many tutelages include calls, synthetic and natural lures and sophisticated electronic equipment giving the sportsmen every advantage over their quarry. After all these hundreds of years how could there be more ways possible to improve killing. There always seems to be some new and deadlier way. We all know we hunters must utilize every advantage we can unearth to outsmart then eliminate our quarry.
I never see new equipment made and designed just for the rabbit hunter.
Contained in this article will be some great new gear and tackle intended for the rabbit and hare hunter. There will be some old gear featured as well that which has somehow become new. Outside of a good beagle there is not much a rabbit hunter demands.
Speaking of good beagles, how about a new puppy? Every beagler and every boy needs a new beagle. Good beagles can be found at honest prices from many very reputable breeders. I see those national magazines trying to convince everyone how great the pointing and retrieving breeds are. The latest was titled, “Six Great Hunting Dogs as House Dogs”. Not one mention of the humble beagle which by the way makes a great in-house companion.
Pictured here is "James Creek Beagles Hare Dawg Nostalgia" (Nasty) from James Creek Beagles located in Huntington County, Pennsylvania.
Wick Outdoor Works Material Is
Back!
These, made in Pennsylvania USA, 420-nylon chaps are constructed by Stone Creek
Outdoor Gear out of the same material Wick Outdoor Works used in
their clothing
dry on all your hunting encounters. The zippers are extra-long, so it is easy on and off while wearing boots. The zipper is on the outside of the leg, so it does not rub against you while you walk or ride. There is a nylon flap over the zippers keeping mud from clogging the zipper. On hot summer days, you can partially unzip the zippers for ventilation. Zippers have a lifetime warranty. Stone Creek chaps are sewn with nylon thread and are doubled stitched for extra strength. There is an adjustable quick clip nylon strap on the top of the chap to fasten the chap to your belt or belt loop. MSRP $65.00 @ https://www.stonecreekhounds.com/
end. The barrel is 26-inches with a vent-rib. It holds five+1 rounds, comes with one screw-in choke (modified), chambered for 3-inch and weighs in at only 5.25 pounds. It even comes with optional Mossy Oak Treestand camo. This little 20-guage should make a great gun for young and old rabbit hunters. I proudly own a cheap .410 Mossberg chambered in full choke similar to this one and it shoots like a surgical instrument. I call it the “scalpel”.
If you’re looking for a shotgun with a lot more features then maybe a Mossberg Gold Reserve is the ticket.
The latest in shotguns is the Mossberg Gold
Reserve. It’s said, “Reserve Series Over-and-Unders are at home in the
field, shooting Clays, 5-stand.” Let’s hope in the hare woods as well. The gun,
like most Mossbergs, is claimed to be durable, reliable and affordable. Features
include: Shell Ejector, Grade-A Black Walnut stocks, polished receivers with
gold inlay, polished blue barrels and 5-choke extended sport set. The Gold Reserve
series is available in 12 and 20-gauge and .410 bores. MSRP: $983-$1,221.
If you’re looking for something a little more reasonably
priced without the gold inlay the Silver Reserve series is available in
12-, 20-, 28-gauge and .410 bores along with a 20-gauge youth gun. Silver
Reserve series, a slight down-grade from the Gold Reserve, suggested MSRP of
$693. If I were going to invest it would be in a .410 or 28-guage.
The Winchester Model 94 and the Winchester.32-Special lever-action carbines were the first guns I used to hunt deer. It never occurred to me a lever-action shotgun would or could be used for rabbit hunting.
Henry Lever Action .410 Shotguns
Here is a gun I fell in love with at first
sight while cruising my favorite sporting goods store. The Henry
Lever-Action .410 felt good in my hands and should be a fast-handling gun to
get on those pesky rabbits quickly. It should make for a terrific thick-cover small-game gun. It is available
with a 24-inch or 20-inch barrel. The 20-inch-long version felt like it should swing better on
moving game than the 24-inch. Interchangeable
Invector-style chokes comes with the 24-inch barrel but not on the 20-inch.
Since I prefer a handier, more compact package for use in tight brush, the
20-inch model fits my bill. Adjustable semi-buckhorn rear and brass bead front
sights make this one a feasible slug gun. New for 2021 is a loading ramp. The
gun holds six rounds, weighs 7lbs. 10 oz., a little weighty, with a MSRP of
$850, not cheap, from Henry USA. With the .410’s negligible recoil, the only
pain the rabbit hunter might feel is in his wallet.
Last summer’s hot weather left my 1-quart water bowls high and dry on occasion especially after a hot summer run.
Overdue for an upgrade and after searching high and low and buying a misfire or two, I found 2-quart kennel pails which hook right onto the kennel fence.
My new stainless flat sided kennel pails come in 2-, 4-, or 6-quart sizes from Lion Country Supply. I bought a 4-quart kennel pail from Outdoor Dog Supply for my big
drinker. The pail uses quality stainless steel with durable fittings. Handles and hangers are riveted to the bucket which comes at a great price. Best yet: they come with a limited lifetime warranty. The price of the 2-quart pail is $9.95.
There is nothing like an “unboxing”.
Now might be the time to upgrade to the new Garmin® Astro® 200i. The 200i comes with many new features.
The 200i tracks and trains up to 20 dogs per group up to 5 groups. It has a generously sounding 9-mile range with 2.5 second update rate and 18 levels of stimulation plus vibration and tone. “InReach” and interactive SOS are available with a subscription and it all comes with a 3.5-inch color touchscreen. MSRP $999.99.
The first snowshoes with reverse gear called the “Rabbit Hunter Snowshoe” is available from Maine Guide Snowshoes. This snowshoe features a big upturn in front and a mid-size upturn in rear which makes it great for maneuvering in heavy rabbit and hare covers. The unique design improves forward snowshoeing because it doesn’t drag much snow. These “shoes” are designed to lay flat on top of the snow instead of sinking down into it. These traditional wooden snowshoes are handmade in
Maine from white ash with the best lacing materials available. Maine Guide Snowshoes are the official snowshoes of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny. They are available in 2 sizes and priced from $245-$265. All proceeds from Maine Guide Snowshoes go to helping wounded veterans and first responders enjoy the great outdoors. Available at www.mgsnowshoes.com
From Dan’s Hunting Gear come two great summer vests. The Summer Strap Vest and the Ultimate Strap Vest. After wearing a Filson® summer time vest for what seems like a hundred years and now-a-days costs $245, I now sport the Summer Strap Vest from Dans.
The Ultimate Strap Vest is briar proof and water resistant. The vest comes with 2 zipper cargo pockets, Garmin® handheld pocket, water bottle pocket, smart-phone pocket, game bag, 2 D-rings and elastic loop for squallers. It sells for $69.95 at Dan’s.
summertime hunting. Wear it in the summer by itself and over a coat in winter. One Size (fits small-3XL) Made in U.S.A. It comes in brown or black with zip up front, breathable mesh back, Garmin® pocket, Tri-Tronic® pocket, 20-oz. water bottle pocket, large cargo pocket with zipper and hooks for a game bag. Also comes in brown or black and one size fit most and sells for $59.95.
Many of the products and retailers mentioned support this magazine and beagling in general. When thinking of new gear support those who support our sport.
