The American Beagler Forum

Todays rabbit hunt took us to a farm we hunted last season in gasconade county. We had such a great hunt with Tim and Chris last year that we were invited back for another hunt this season. I'd like to thank Tim and Chris for having me and my pack of beagles out for another wonderful rabbit hunt. I hope you enjoyed the action packed races we had today as much as I did.

Conditions were near perfect with a overcast all day long light fog in the morning that lifted and the cover seemed to be damp aswell. Dogs ran like they were tied to them. Lots of hard running pretty much non-stop all day long with very little checks. On this day we had Leah Daisy Lisa and Lightning and they did an outstanding job. We hunted in all sorts of cover from warm season grass to cedar thickets to brush piles you name we were in it. We were able to put 29 rabbits on the move. Dropped hounds around 8am and finished up by 3pm or so.

I have put together a few pictures from our hunt today. Their was so much going on today but we still had time for a few pictures.

I'd also like to mention Leah caught 2 rabbits today on the run that were not shot at. One that was jumped with leah sight chasing it right on its tail. This rabbit ran for what seemed like a 1/4 mile straight line and he didn't come back around for nothing. I walked as quick as I could after them. They kept going further and further and further almost out of hearing. Then Silence. Few minutes later I hear from the guys She's got it in her mouth. I was like what? no way. and sure enough their she was with a the rabbit in her mouth. You will see the video clip of her bringing it to me. Later I witnessed her catching another rabbit by its foot on the run but this rabbit kicked around and broke free made a quick loop around and I was able to shoot him. I was proud of my Leah dog today not only did she catch rabbits but she retrieved several today aswell. That makes for 3 or 4 caught this season.

Mini Movie Video Clip - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dxHubIbves

You're not going to believe this....lol I caught this rabbit with my bare hands and I have witnesses. A untouched rabbit No shots fired....lol I am not kidding.


In the field action shots





This picture here we're all like who shot the rabbit. Well you know who already. They don't call me the Rabbit King for nothing....lol



Here I am with a rabbit and thats my lil lightning dog she thinks she can jump high....lol I've seen her jump almost as high as my chest trying to get a rabbit out of my hands.



We had a total of 8 rabbits that holed on us today. It was fustrating. Two went in this same exact hole. Several went in old tree stups one went under a shed another in an old junk pile but daisy never gives up. She'll dig and dig till he comes out. She was even biting the branches. That dog don't quick for nothing. I had to drag her out.



Some of the cover we were in.






Here we are 4 tired hunters and 4 very tired hounds. What a great day in the field. We were able to bag 21 rabbits on this hunt.

eatin good !!!!...you guys are on it ....great pics and video...looks like a good time...and that dog is fast!!!

Nice job Joey!
I think you have a future as a writer for one of these big rabbit magazines ! You laid the setting out just perfect before we even got to the pics and video ! Nice work !

Now thats what I call getting it done! Nice pics and video.

Nice hunt Joey, I was wondering when the pics were coming. We killed 30+ Saturday and jumped around 50 rabbits, it was unreal. My Reggie female caught 3 and had a 4th in her mouth. A funny thing happened as well. She retrieved the first rabbit of the day and almost every one after that when gave the chance. She must be watching your videos somehow

Spruce Ridge Beagler wrote:Nice job Joey!
I think you have a future as a writer for one of these big rabbit magazines ! You laid the setting out just perfect before we even got to the pics and video ! Nice work !

lol I'm far from a writer but I try. Half the time I can't spell..... I'd be more than happy to be featured in a rabbit hunting magazine but I don't see that happening to the small man on the totem pole.

CHAD CAMPBELL wrote:Nice hunt Joey, I was wondering when the pics were coming. We killed 30+ Saturday and jumped around 50 rabbits, it was unreal. My Reggie female caught 3 and had a 4th in her mouth. A funny thing happened as well. She retrieved the first rabbit of the day and almost every one after that when gave the chance. She must be watching your videos somehow

Well alright chad sounds like you all out did me. Bet that was some action packed running. We've never jumped 50 in a day that must be a killer spot for sure. Next time bring a camera I always like seeing hunting pictures. Not enough people on here share their hunts. Don't be shy post up. How'd your trails male do?

You are doing a great job with the video's Joey.

thanks and I actually got to be in this one.....lol Most the time its always me behind the camera taking the video.

Nice video Joey! Very cool the way you set it up.

nice pics!

Sounds like a real good hunt.

joey, great story, pics and video. i have one question for you though. Are there any jobs in your area? i would love to live where there are that many bunnies

keep up the good dog work and keep the stories coming.

later, dave

thanks guys it was a ton of fun yesterday. We talked about the hunt on the ride home and while we were cleaning rabbits.

We had alot of very nice races. I like the races that took the dogs into the woods. Surrounding the fields are nothing but woods. Their are some steep hills too and also creeks that go thru out the property. We had several rabbits take the dogs up deep into the woods then circle back around where each one of us would take a position on the creek edge or bottom edge of the woods waiting for him to show himself with the dogs running full blast down the hill right on his tail. The echos of them pounding waked the dead it sounded that good.

As far as the rabbit leah caught. Tell you the truth I have no idea how she does it but none the less its impressive I can tell you that right now. I know many on the board have dogs that catch rabbits too and let me tell you if you haven't seen it first hand you'll never believe it. I saw a flash of a tail and leah right on his butt. That rabbit ran far far far and fast in one direction. He never came back. I couldn't hear the dogs no more. I tried my best to catch up to them and I could barely hear the dogs hammering way up in the woods deep back there. No way was I going to go up that hill and way in the back I'd got lost...lol So I waited half way up the hill and waited and waited I heard nothing. Then I heard some bells jingling. Then one of the guys yelled out leah has it in her mouth. WOW I had to run down and go see for myself. And sure enough their she was doing her little prance looking for me cause she wasn't gonna give it to one of the other guys. I had to get out the camera and get it on video. Moments like that are just priceless makes all the hours in the field worth it. I'm truely having one of the best rabbit seasons so far. Thanks to all who like to read my post and keep up with my hunts.

Great video Joey very nice layout with the album.

If you guys want to see my dogs run they are at the very end of the video clip. wish I would of had more video of them running rabbits but I was to busy working dogs and hunting. Only time I got a minute is when they bring one to me or for some other reason. But in that clip you'll see my 8 month old bobtail lightning dog running the front of the pack with leah right behind. Her and leah fight for the front. I'm assuming when she hits her prime she'll be one hard dog to beat. Funny thing is she is the smallest dog I have only weighing in at a whopping 16lbs....lol But she's the fastest dog speed wise that I own. And can out run any dog i have in a full out sprint. and the TT is really working wonders on her handling. I can hit the tone a few times and she comes to my feet and rolls on her back.....now thats what I call OWNED