Hunting rabbits on a summer’s evening

In an article published earlier this summer in Shooting and Conservation, Mat Manning explains how using a mobile approach can help airgun shooters bag more bunnies. If you’re intending to make the most of the remaining months of warm weather, it’s well worth a read.

A roving approach

Whether shooting for pest control around pony paddocks or harvesting wild meat for the pot, the warmer months are a great time for airgun shooters to get out and bag a few rabbits.

Although I usually adopt ambush tactics to reduce the noise and movement that tends to send wary bunnies running for cover, I do enjoy a roving approach on summer evenings.

There should be plenty of younger, less educated rabbits around at this time of year, which makes things slightly more straightforward, and – even if it doesn’t put much in the bag – a wander around the fields is a good way to keep in touch with your ground and perhaps earmark one or two hotspots for a future outing.

Practise your positions

My first piece of advice for anyone heading out on a roving rabbit foray is to practise using the stances you are likely to find yourself shooting from in the field.

It is all too easy to fall into the trap of shooting super-tight groups from the bench during range sessions. That’s all very well when it comes to checking that your kit is performing as it should, but it won’t be much use when you’re presented with a standing or kneeling shot at the end of a strenuous stalk.

Shooters who don’t feel confident about making unsupported head shots might want to take a set of sticks for added stability. If you don’t want to be bogged down by extra kit, there are still ways to take rested shots in the field. I often use fences, gates and tree trunks for added support when I encounter them in the right place.

A matter of fieldcraft

Of course, you need to get yourself within striking distance of an unsuspecting rabbit before you can think about making a shot. Most shooters know about this artful adversary’s uncanny ability to pick up on scent carried through the air, so try to approach with the breeze in your face so it pushes any whiffs from the human world away from your quarry’s twitching nostrils.

Rabbits also have a talent for detecting vibrations through the ground. Heavy footfalls will send them scuttling off into the brambles, so always approach as quietly as you can. An old pair of trainers is my first choice for keeping footfalls as gentle as possible. Unfortunately, where I live in Somerset the ground is often very wet, so I usually find myself wearing wellies and doing my best not to stomp too loudly.

Travelling light

Travelling light is order of the day when stalking with an airgun. The last thing you want is to feel overburdened, but it is worth taking a game bag so you can carry shot rabbits while keeping your hands free.

I eventually took a knife to my game bag and hacked off the leather straps and metal buckles that always seemed to rattle and jangle at the worst possible moment. The modification has brought a significant boost to my stealth, even if it means I can no longer fasten the main compartment.

With a little forethought, airgun shooters can provide welcome assistance with rabbit control, and the summer months are often when it is needed most. Put in the practice, approach with stealth and shoot within your abilities, and you should be rewarded with good shooting and a bit of gentle exercise – with the added bonus of some delicious free-range meat for the table.