This can often be the time of year where most Virginia residents simply shut in, lock down and pray for warmer days to come in the long-awaited Spring. This is also when you can take advantage of some the most exciting and challenging hunting opportunities available.
As a wing-shooting and sporting clays instructor, I truly relish any chance to harvest birds. I also thoroughly enjoy honing my skills on the remaining small game seasons, specifically on crow, rabbit and especially, squirrel. These three beasties offer their own distinct hunting challenges, and require their own specific set up and techniques. I would be remiss in not mentioning the plethora of phenomenal hunting preserves all across our great commonwealth. The preserve season is open until April 30th and offers all matters of flushed birds and some even offer driven-style shoots.
Hunting crow, rabbit and squirrel is easily done on any piece of public or private land, where it is legal, and best of all, you don’t have to have a dog to assist you in the hunt. Rabbit hunts have traditionally utilized beagles but, it isn’t necessary. Let’s cover the most important part first, the legalese. Rabbit season is open in Virginia until February 28th and you are allowed to harvest up to six rabbits a day. Check the VDGIF website for public land near you and any specific regulations or restrictions.
The preferred firearm for rabbits is a 20ga shotgun with an improved cylinder choke using either #6 or #7.5 shot. As always, make certain that the gun fits you well. You are just trying to pop a bunny, not squash a duck so there is absolutely zero reason to break out the high brass, heavy loads. Now, everyone comes to me complaining about not being able to hit a rabbit. Allow me to share the secret with you on how to successfully and consistently hit rabbits. This is one quarry that is quick and low to the ground, wherein lies the challenge. As with all hunts, you need to have practiced your mount with a well fitting gun and be certain to mount to your face as you raise the gun and then allow the buttstock to rest into the pocket of the shoulder. This puts the eye quickly in place and assures a correct sight picture. Now, the secret. See yourself inserting the barrel onto the front of the rabbit, visualizing grabbing him by the front feet, hang onto him for a brief second to see him clearly, and then smoothly pull the trigger. Voila! Hasenpfeffer for dinner. Sometimes, I will encourage a student to close their off eye just before they pull the trigger which helps them to achieve a clearer sight picture. Ideally, anytime you are shooting a shotgun, you want both eyes open, but there are always exceptions. When still hunting rabbits, move slowly and only ten feet at a time. When you stop and patiently wait, the rabbit will often use this time to bolt for the den and you can add him to the game bag.
Crow can be some of the most difficult, and equally as exciting hunts. Their eyesight is incredible so excellent camouflage is a must, and make absolutely certain that anything that shines or glints in the sun is thoroughly covered, particularly your gun barrel. Harvesting crow is allowed until March 10th on national forest and state lands on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and until March 15th on private lands on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. They are a migratory bird but, HIP is not required, and you may use unplugged shotguns and electronic callers. A 12ga with either a modified or improved cylinder choke and shot in either #7.5 or #8 is perfect. Crows love a good fight and they relish the opportunity to attack a predator. A strategically placed plastic owl is perfect to entice a murder of crows to circle around and join in the excitement. Learn and utilize the three basic calls, rally call, fight call and distress call.
Squirrel hunting is similar to rabbit hunting in that they tend to stay within close proximity of their nest. Squirrel hunting is truly a treasured tradition in the south. I don’t think enough people take advantage of it and certainly not enough people share in the tasty abundance of delicious squirrel recipes. Personally, I love having a bit of revenge on them for mimicking big bucks on a crispy day. Wait for a day with little wind, some sunshine and on the warmer side. Head out mid-morning with a 20ga sporting an improved cylinder choke and some #5 shot and still hunt your way through the hardwoods. Squirrels are tough as hell and particularly quick at moving around a tree trunk but, are also quite inquisitive. Go very slowly and even find a spot to sit and wait for them to start popping out again. Squirrel rut occurs in the winter, just watch for them chasing each other, and again in late spring. This is the best time to bag your limit. Gray and Red squirrel are in season until February 28th and you are allowed to harvest up to six a day. Fox squirrel season ends on January 31st.
With all of these wonderful opportunities, don’t just lament over the winter weather, get out and enjoy the hunt! Remember to share the spirit of the hunt, take a young man or young lady with you to enjoy the outdoors and teach them these time honored traditions.