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  #1  
Old 04-13-2011, 01:41 PM
the-eco-hunter the-eco-hunter is offline
 
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Default Rabbit hunting

Just ordered myself an Excalibur Axiom Crossbow. My girlfriend is going to get one as well. She doesn't eat farmed meat and I always wanted a crossbow so we're going to attempt some small game hunting this summer. We're thinking rabbits and possibly some birds. Don't think we're up to dealing with any large game carcasses as of yet I've been talking to everyone I know who hunts, however they are all people who hunt with guns and usually larger game. If anyone has any advice as far as hunting techniques or good places to hunt near Edmonton or even in the rest of the province as we intend to do some touring this summer (mostly in the direction of B. C) it would be very much appreciated. The only strategy I've heard for rabbits is for people to line up strategically near thickets and such where lots of tracks are seen while one person goes around and scares the rabbits all towards the rifle-ready hunters. This however doesn't sound like a good system for two people with crossbows. Should I get some cheap tree stands? Or just creep through the trees and try and find something? What should I do and where can I go? I would like to do this the right way. Any help you can give would be much appreciated. Cheers
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Old 04-13-2011, 03:50 PM
Pudelpointer Pudelpointer is offline
 
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A couple observations:

When you say "in the direction of BC" do you mean you will be IN BC, or just West of Edmonton? In AB hares and rabbits can be hunted without a license (by a resident) but in BC they are all considered "small game" and require a general hunting license.

You mention "birds". Need to stop you there. All birds (that you would want to eat) are either protected or "game birds" which require a hunting certificate and game bird license(s). The only birds you can shoot without a license are mourning doves (AKA rock doves, city pigeons, barn pigeons) which can be good table fare, and crows, starlings, magpies, and a few others.

As for the crossbows... why? Not to rain on your parade, in case you are not aware, but you can only use crossbows for hunting big game during the rifle seasons and in a few areas where they have shotgun-muzzle loader-archery-crossbow seasons. Not sure about Strathcona.

As for snowshoe hares specifically, you need to hunt slowly, quietly, and carefully. You need to spot them before they run (once they start it is usually counterproductive to try and follow them or find them again). Watch for them tucked in around deciduous brush piles and under low hanging spruce boughs.

If you are licenced to buy a firearm, get yourself a shotgun. If you are not licensed, then get yourself licensed. Also, go take the hunters education course.

Last edited by Pudelpointer; 04-13-2011 at 03:55 PM.
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Old 04-13-2011, 04:04 PM
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jim-bo jim-bo is offline
 
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Its been said pretty well above. Apart from some wasc-awie wabbits you can't really shot much with a x-bow in the way of birds.

Further I believe that in AB you can not hunt any game birds or migratory birds with a x-bow, in fact I can almost guarantee that. Pigeons, crows, and other vermin are acceptable.

Please keep in mind the amount of KE you are thrusting into the ground, this will have significant wear and tear on your bolts.

Finally depending on where you go "touring" you may not be allowed to discharge weapons, or disturb wildlife...

Unfortunately your choices are very slim at the moment, stick to targets.
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Old 04-13-2011, 08:23 PM
the-eco-hunter the-eco-hunter is offline
 
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I'm getting a crossbow because I much prefer the idea of hunting with a bow, compound bows are probably more ideal perhaps or even a gun I guess. Might upgrade to a compound eventually but not overly enthusiastic about getting a gun (how to make friends on a hunting forum eh). Probably be touring down Hwy 2 towards Banff this summer (I'm well aware there's no hunting in a national park.) As for birds yes I didn't really look into what the regulations are there, I just know that you can hunt rabbits with a crossbow year round. Obviously I'm expecting to be doing a lot more target practice than anything this year, but I wouldn't mind bagging a rabbit or two if I can manage it.
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Old 04-13-2011, 08:47 PM
the-eco-hunter the-eco-hunter is offline
 
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"Finally depending on where you go "touring" you may not be allowed to discharge weapons, or disturb wildlife... "

This would be the reason I am here on this forum, asking about good locations. Thanks
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Old 04-13-2011, 09:17 PM
Pudelpointer Pudelpointer is offline
 
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Okay.

Again, I would suggest two things: first, take the hunters education course, and second, pick something besides a crossbow.

As was alluded earlier, not only will shooting at bunnies be hard on bolts (short arrows) you will likely never find them after launching them towards the ground. That will get expensive fast. Arrows are slightly easier to find (only slightly) so make sure you get 1) carbon arrows and 2) brightly painted/fletched arrows.

I will not criticize you on your desire to not buy a firearm. Hunting with a bow is very challenging and very rewarding. However, be aware that many hunters (hunters with many years of experience hunting with firearms) have a hard time hunting successfully with a bow (or x-bow). If you are brand new at this, it will likely be even tougher.

I am not trying to discourage you from hunting with archery equipment, far from it, I just want you to be aware of the challenges you are setting yourself up for.

Even if you decide you are only going to hunt for rabbits for a while, please go to your local hunting store (or canadian tire) and get a copy of the hunting regulation synopsis. Read it, then re-read it, and then a couple dozen more times.... THEN ask questions about the parts that don't make sense to you, and we will be happy to try and help you with the answers.

BTW, if you do enter a National or Provincial park (read the regs) the bow/crossbow must be encased or disassembled.

Cheers.
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Old 04-13-2011, 09:25 PM
ishootbambi ishootbambi is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pudelpointer View Post
Okay.

As was alluded earlier, not only will shooting at bunnies be hard on bolts (short arrows) you will likely never find them after launching them towards the ground. That will get expensive fast. Arrows are slightly easier to find (only slightly) so make sure you get 1) carbon arrows and 2) brightly painted/fletched arrows.

Cheers.
im going to have to disagree here. i could list a hundred reasons to buy carbon arrows...or bolts....but not when you are going to be shooting into the ground on a regular basis. they need to be inspected EVERY shot for safety. we all know what can happen if a crack in a carbon arrow goes unnoticed. in this situation, aluminium is a safer option. the good news is they are cheaper too.

https://forums.cabelas.com/showthread.php?t=3246
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Old 04-14-2011, 10:10 AM
Pudelpointer Pudelpointer is offline
 
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Good point ISB, and I agree with the safety issue. My reason for recommending them was simply from a durability standpoint. I shot aluminum arrows for decades and recently switched to carbon. I find with carbon they are either straight - or broken - that's it. With Aluminum they were always getting bent, dented, or otherwise made useless, very easily.

I personally prefer carbon arrows out of my compound, now.
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  #9  
Old 04-14-2011, 10:29 AM
jimbo1 jimbo1 is offline
 
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if you really really dont want to buy a gun and want to hunt rabbits then surely a slingshot would be much better than a crossbow
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