Texas Jack Rabbit Hunting?

[Troutguide]

Most Vile Hord, I’m looking for a place to take my 12 yo son and two AR Grendels and do some jack rabbit hunting. Anyone got an idea where would be good within 6 hours of DFW? He is finishing up his at home quarantine school year and we need to get out and explore something new.

[imaguy3]

I am not from Tx... I love me jackrabbit but I'm giving them a break until the fall... already too hot here and I don't want to deplete more than necessary... hopefully this isn't affecting you guys. https://www.azgfd.com/rabbit-hemorrhagic...n-arizona/

[Troutguide]

This would be our first hunt for them and we wouldn’t kill that many but just want to get out and have something to shoot. Thinking we may venture all the way over to Clovis NM. Anyone know if the BLM land or NM hunting land in that area would be good? Would also like to do some long range shooting around there too.

[Lemonaid]

Perhaps contact a Texas Game Warden in your area? I bet they would be helpful in planning an outing.

[gwtx]

What about Prarie Dog hunting? I don't know anything at all about them, but you mentioned long range shooting. Sounds like that would be good for what you want to do,,,,IF it's not too far to travel to get to the area they reside in. They are a pest, and are out of control in some areas. Just a thought. Good huntin to ya.

[Troutguide]

Well we would rather kill something we could eat. Otherwise I would just target shoot.

[Redraider]

If you want to eat rabbit, don't hunt jacks, go cotton tail, don't shoot with Grendel, use 22lr. And, the advent of fire ants has decimated the rabbit population where I live in Texas. I grew up in New Mexico, and you only hunt rabbits in the cold months......too much disease problems.

Go shoot some fine tasting targets for now.

Redraider

[Troutguide]

I get that cottontail are better. They are my favorite wild game to eat. We are looking for an adventure and the chance to do some open land shooting. We may mangle some meat but we will eat what we can. As far as disease goes I understand the risks and I’m not worried. Thanks for the advice though I know it is correct in general.

[A5BLASTER]

Most Vile Hord, I’m looking for a place to take my 12 yo son and two AR Grendels and do some jack rabbit hunting. Anyone got an idea where would be good within 6 hours of DFW? He is finishing up his at home quarantine school year and we need to get out and explore something new.

What I would do is Google a ton about jackrabbits and see if you can find some Intel on where the center of their range is, then see where the agricultural areas are in that area.

That should help you find some public land to walk and hunt them are maybe a guide that might let y'all go hunt are charge y'all a small amount to go shoot them off his land.

Use some 90 grain bullets and take headshots should save the meat and be a very fun shoot.

[imaguy3]

and don't listen to the garbage of not being able to eat them year round. yes in the hot months they get bot fly larvae, ticks, fleas and it's hard to get them cool quick depending on how you hunt. The bot fly larvae don't ruin the rabbit, just cut it out. Get the meat cool quick and wear gloves and you'll be fine.

[imaguy3]

http://www.deernut.com/Documents/TheJackBook2013.pdf

This is a book written by an Az. Game and Fish guy... Heffelfinger is a local legend for jacks.

[Troutguide]

Thanks. Getting more excited. Not sure when we are going to go, still trying to gain some intel on a location looking at blm land in the eastern NM as our best bet for now.

[imaguy3]

I used to use a 22lr, found it difficult b/c most shots were 50-100 yards, sometimes further. They are skiddish out here and unless you get them while they're full from feeding it's hard to get close to them. I started using my ar with a heavy non varmint bullet, works much better for me. I try for head or broadside normal vitals shots. I primarily just eat the backstrap and find this doesn't damage them while also increasing my range and anchoring them on the spot. However this method makes the front shoulders usually worthless.

[imaguy3]

heck even a pistol can do a number... here's one I shot witha 40sw using federal HST... about 15 yards.. it was facing me under a cholla cactus.. meat was untouched but lungs were liquified...

entry



exit...

[imaguy3]

good video frmo jackrabbit jim (guy who wrote the book)

I use this method myself... I use a small carabiner tied to a rope and use the carabiner through the rear leg just like in the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw4ZfLBx8p4

[Javman]

May want to check this place out.
https://m.facebook.com/notes/jack-rabbit...391051506/

[Dinny]

After watching that skinning video where I see how tough the hide is I'm surprised the HST actually penetrated through it.

Thanks, Dinny

[Wellbornpapa]

Back in the early 70's we used to drive the oilfield roads around Midland, TX and shoot jackrabbits by spotlight. It was tons of fun.

[Troutguide]

Would love to do that today. I bet you could get in some serious trouble now. My first cottontail hunting was with a pump pellet rifle and a flashlight.

[imaguy3]

After watching that skinning video where I see how tough the hide is I'm surprised the HST actually penetrated through it.

Thanks, Dinny

yea they are pretty tough creatures... I don't recommend anything less than a 7mm rem mag.