Rabbit hunting was once when kids began their hunting careers. Gathering food for the family meant small game. We chased rabbits, squirrels, quail, woodcock, and doves. Our weapons were often single shots with small bores and calibers.
Our shooting skills began with SAFETY FIRST. I was the gun dog and maybe got to carry a BB gun. My job was to watch. Learn, and retrieve the game that my dad and his buddies shot. There was no room for any mistakes. Bows and arrows were also a wonderful place to begin. A Crossman Air Rifle was my first high powered weapon. I wore hunters’ orange proudly.
Later I was taught to use a 22 rifle and later a 12-gauge shotgun. Each step was earned and carefully taught. Eventually, I was allowed to hunt on my own. The evolution of a hunter must be learned and earned. The pride of bringing home family food is part of what makes a hunter.
Hunting and shooting are HUGE responsibilities. This is when a boy could become a man. The traditions were passed down to sons and daughters. The risk and danger were critical. Anti-gun critics would argue, but giving permission to drive a car, jet ski, bike, or many other symbols of growing up are also risky and life threatening.
Rabbits are an abundant food resource. They are easy to clean and cook. When slow cooked in a gravy with mushrooms and spices, the organic food is amazing. We often see survival shows relying on using snares and traps for Bunny Meals.
My Uncle Jim owned a farm that was full of rabbits. We abided by the limits but filled our limits often. We would load up his front-end loader with bunnies. When snow was on the ground, hunting rabbits was great sport. In Montana, you can hunt rabbits for most of the year. Accurate rifles can make rabbit harvesting simple. Shotguns add more holes but shooting at a fast-moving bunny takes marksmanship.
Hunting is about safety, rules, limits, choices, and survival. These are all skills that parents want their children to learn.
Great parenting uses these tools to teach their children to be their Best!
Montana Grant
