Every year we have a weekend Rabbit Hunt and Poker Match - and shooting extravaganza. This year, the weather was pretty good. There was plenty of snow for good visibility and yet, it was pretty warm. Rabbit populations seemed to be up according to the DNR and the tale of tracks in the snow.
So, to cut to the chase so to speak, we were stalking up through the thorn bush, hot on the trail of a dagga-boy bunny. He had slipped in behind us but we knew we had him cornered in the draw, so we advanced slowly - bush to bush, rifles at the ready for instant deployment. "Beagle" Al swung out and around us as a strategic move to cut him off at the top of the draw, but this turned the ol'boy back on his tracks and he came back through the scrub looking to surprise one of us and maybe take us down while making his escape.
Well, at great risk to himself, "Beagle" Al sung out, "He's comin' Boys!" And we all brought our rifles up to half mast, and at that moment, I spotted him barreling downhill and right at me. Of course, with Beagle Al up ahead, shooting was out of the question, a ricochet off the frozen ground was too dangerous, but clearly, this bull rabbit was feeling cornered and out for blood. He had me in his sights and for sure, he was about to leap for my throat. There wasn’t a lot of time to think about what my options were, but luckily, I knew that killer, rogue rabbits always feint to their right as if they are going to go around you, and then they pivot back to their left, driving off their right rear foot as they go for your carotid arteries (see link http://imgcdn.geocaching.com/cache/4fdd ... =0.5926434 for graphic example). Well, I was ready for him and when he juked to my left, I swung my trusty Marlin and slammed a 40 gr subsonic hollowpoint in behind is shoulder, rolling him on the spot. Instantly, I planted a second shot right next to the first and just as quick as it all started, it was over. Me and my 39 triumphed once again. It was a near thing as he slid to a stop, only a scant 8 ft from my boots.
Of course, none of this could have happened if it weren’t for pictures, so here is a trophy shot. Me and 39 managed to dust another one, under slightly less dramatic circumstances, but this one is the “killer-bunny-gone-bad” and my trusty 39.
Needless to say, many a cold one was needed later to calm the nerves...
I hope ya'll had as good a weekend as mine.
)
-------6
(hard to believe she was 32 when she make Josey)
Nice posting.