14 Nebraskaland • January-February 2019
PHOTO
BY
JARROD
SPILGER
By Jarrod Spilger
FEBRUARY RABBITS
With upland bird seasons closing Jan. 31, there's
not much to hunt in February besides rabbits.
February is actually my favorite month to hunt
rabbits. I typically discourage my dog, Phantom,
from pursuing rabbits, often ignoring her rabbit
points so she remains focused on birds. But once
February rolls around, we have some fun.
Look for cottontails near brush piles or thick
shelterbelts. With a pointing dog, be prepared
to kick some brush to get rabbits moving. A
fl ushing dog will move them for you. Since most
shots are at running rabbits, I like to use a little
.410 shotgun.
Extra care must be taken when hunting rabbits
with dogs. Unlike birds, which fl y when fl ushed,
a rabbit remains on the ground at dog level.
Always know your dog's location before pulling
the trigger. If in doubt, don't shoot. Cottontails
tend to run in a circular pattern, so there will be
more opportunities soon enough.
Still-hunting solo through shelterbelts or
river bottoms with a scoped .22 rifl e can also
be productive, especially if there's snow on the
ground to make rabbits more visible. Plus, it's
good practice for deer season.
Jackrabbits can be found in open pastures
year-round. Once fl ushed, they tend to run in a
straight line and keep going. A shotgun is a good
choice, and a 12-gauge is not too much gun, since
jacks can weigh up to eight pounds.
Nebraska's rabbit season runs through the
end of February. For bored hunters, human and
canine alike, rabbits provide the perfect cure for
cabin fever.
IN THE FIELD
