Jack Rabbits Where to go?

Fish-n-Fever · 01-15-2004, 09:42 AM

We did a little rabbit hunting when I was younger and I would like to do it again. We hunted around Arlington and saw a few rabbits each time. I was wondering since I haven't hunted them in 20 years where are some places that still hold a few Jacks and what time of year is best.
Thank you for any info
Ron

Okie · 01-15-2004, 10:04 AM

I have traveled all over eastern Oregon in remote areas and Jack Rabbits are really scares. I believe they have introduced something to kill them so they are not as plentifull as they used to be years ago. I have found small areas where they were plentifull and then the next year there wouldn't be any in that area. So there are still some around but you will really have to hunt for them. In the old days they could be seen at night along the roads but today that is seldom seen. Arlington area used to be good but the same thing applies in that area also.

ajfishfinder · 01-15-2004, 01:02 PM

2 of us shot an intire case of 20ga shells one day between x-mas valley and fort rock. They run in 6 or 7 year cycles. Really huge populations for 1 or 2 years then almost none for 4-5 years. If you called around over in that area, they will usually tell you if it is worth the drive. If they are thick, they will be more than happy to have you. One guy told us he figured he lost 40% of his alfalfa crop one year to rabbits and sage rats. The best time is from about now till mid march. If there is a bunch of snow, all you need to do is drive from 1 hay shed to the next. They will all be there eating right from the edges. Really neat at night with a spotlight on your shotgun. Pretty much a blood bath, but hey the coyote's need to eat to!!! A bit more of a drive but about the same between burns and denio. Those people are happy to have some outside $$$ this time of the year. Between motel, food and gas, it is blood thirsty people like us that help them through the winter.

nitrobass · 01-15-2004, 02:11 PM

Check down by Plush..loads of rabbits there. A bit of a drive but the scenery is worth it and the rabbits are too

Snapset · 01-15-2004, 09:50 PM

Cow lakes area south of Owyhee Reservoir had a ton of them this summer and fall.

B.J. Lilly Hunter · 01-18-2004, 08:41 PM

My friend just told me he and a few others were down by Juntura last weekend, and that they saw tons of jackrabbits. They were chuckar hunting, but still managed to have a little fun.

Tanner · 01-23-2004, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Really neat at night with a spotlight on your shotgun.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Also slightly ILLEGAL

Frazier · 01-23-2004, 02:17 PM

I know that is true for public land, but i thought it was legal on private land.

elkaholic · 01-23-2004, 08:43 PM

Not illegal for landowners on their land, anytime. If you are an "agent" of the landowner and have a paper signifying that, then it is legal. Some in ODFW and OSP say they would issue a permit to the landowner for the "agents' to hunt under at night under artificial light. Others don't care as long as you have permission to hunt where you are.

I have heard that they are thick in the Jordan Valley area too.

Grits · 01-25-2004, 08:18 AM

E.E. Wilson 20 miles from Salem. I think they are cottontails not jack rabbit but that shouldn't matter unless you make jackalope heads.

Christmas tree farms in the valley are loaded with rabbits. Get permission, easier to do if you use a .22 not a shotgun, and hunt away.

[ 01-25-2004, 09:20 AM: Message edited by: Grits ]