Posted: 12/30/2013 7:17:23 AM EDT
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I've got a ton of cottontails on my property and want to put a few in the freezer. Shooting them is outta the question, because I've only got one safe lane of fire and the odds of getting them there without bait are low. I don't want to throw corn out, due to field mice.
What are some ways to trap/snare them? |
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http://www.havahart.com/store/live-animal-traps/rabbit
ETA. Rabbit is good. Thought about raising some but the wife gets pretty pissed when i mention killing and freezing them. |
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God I wish! If they weren't so much work, I would love to have a red tail. We are over 100yds from any structure, but I'm at the top of the hill, so I'm shooting down, and towards my neighbors on 3 sides. I've thought about using a shotgun, but it would be kind of rude. I will look into pellet guns, I don't currently own one. The snares worry me, due to my wife's chihuahua running all over the place. I have live traps, but hadn't ever heard of using them for rabbits. I will bait one with corn today. |
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Quoted: I've got a ton of cottontails on my property and want to put a few in the freezer. Shooting them is outta the question, because I've only got one safe lane of fire and the odds of getting them there without bait are low. I don't want to throw corn out, due to field mice. What are some ways to trap/snare them? |
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Quoted:
Simple rabbit snares are easy to make with brass wire. Simply make a noose, and suspend it over their trails, especially where thick brush acts as funnels. This will do it. Or if you can't get brass wire, very very thin single-strand copper wire (about 22 gauge) that you get from radio shack or from the windings of an old small motor. Twist strands of copper wire LOOSELY around themselves so they stay together (don't braid it) until you have a complete piece the size of a pencil lead. If you have rabbit runs already on your property, use those. If not, you're going to need to funnel them with man-made runs. Look around Google, there's sure to be tutorials. The only thing I'd worry about is catching a cat or mink. If you size and set up your snare correctly, will probably only catch the rabbits. |
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I build something similar but only use it in the winter. It requires no bait if you stick it on a solid, secure footing and point the opening south. The vermin will go in just to get warm. I caught 26 in one week a few winters ago. They work much better than the wire made traps with bait as long as it's cold out. |
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Quoted:
Rabbits caught in a box trap will release tons of adrenaline that can lead to bad tasting meat, same goes for leg hold traps and snares. 110 conibear traps stop that from happening but as with all body style traps, there's no releasing the neighbors cat. ...or the neighbor's dog's head, lol. Some people are okay with that, though. |
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I saw my dad catch some by hand. There was a tractor with a bush hog mowing in a field. As the mower would stir up a rabbit, Dad had positioned himself at the right place and grabbed at least two..before one of my sisters came out bawling about how cruel it was to the rabbits. I was about six. I couldn't even manage to touch a rabbit. |
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Quoted:
This will do it. Or if you can't get brass wire, very very thin single-strand copper wire (about 22 gauge) that you get from radio shack or from the windings of an old small motor. Twist strands of copper wire LOOSELY around themselves so they stay together (don't braid it) until you have a complete piece the size of a pencil lead. If you have rabbit runs already on your property, use those. If not, you're going to need to funnel them with man-made runs. Look around Google, there's sure to be tutorials. The only thing I'd worry about is catching a cat or mink. If you size and set up your snare correctly, will probably only catch the rabbits. Quoted:
Quoted:
Simple rabbit snares are easy to make with brass wire. Simply make a noose, and suspend it over their trails, especially where thick brush acts as funnels. This will do it. Or if you can't get brass wire, very very thin single-strand copper wire (about 22 gauge) that you get from radio shack or from the windings of an old small motor. Twist strands of copper wire LOOSELY around themselves so they stay together (don't braid it) until you have a complete piece the size of a pencil lead. If you have rabbit runs already on your property, use those. If not, you're going to need to funnel them with man-made runs. Look around Google, there's sure to be tutorials. The only thing I'd worry about is catching a cat or mink. If you size and set up your snare correctly, will probably only catch the rabbits. Use guitar strings for snares. |
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Wrist Rocket. Steel shot. I would cut the bands and then reapply it, so I can have a greater stretch with the slingshot band.
Once hit the rabbit will act like it has a broken leg or something then you just run over to it and dispatch it. I know most of you might not think a slingshot will work, but it works. |
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That picture and your dag's expression is great! |