Unfortunatly I missed last years "Bunny Hunt" but I've been to every one except the first one that Shawn had at his house. For all of you "first timers" You are in for the time of your life!!!!!
Just a few "Safety Reminders".....
#1) WEAR SOMETHING BRIGHT!!!!!!!!!!
Blaze Orange,Chartruse,"PINK"..... There are alot of people flinging arrows in all directions. With 20-30 "pushers" and 20-30 "standers" there are people EVERYWHERE!!!!! Many times while pushing over the years,the brush was so THICK that I couldn't see the guys on either side of me,and they were only 20-30 feet away!!!!! A good smallgame vest with Blaze Orange is a great idea,and it helps carry the bunnys you will hopefully shoot!!!!!
#2) SAFETY GLASSES!!!!!
The Briars and Thorns that you will encounter are NASTY!!!!! Unlike anything you have ever seen!!!!! To Quote Shawn..."If your pushin',and you ain't bleedin',YOUR NOT DOIN' YOUR JOB!!!" I've personaly seen Shawn lay down his bow,cover his face with his arms and do a running "belly-flop" into a multiflora thicket!!!!! We are all there to have fun,but I'll never forget the chilling feeling when I heard Curt holler "Hey Shawn!!! I just got stuck in the eye!!!!!" People hollered back and forth if he was OK and then Curt said "somebody's gonna have to come get me,my eyes all full of blood and I can't see".When it was all over,all it was,was a very NASTY scratch to his eye lid. He was VERY LUCKY!!!
#3) ARROW POINTS!!!!!
Shawn has a simple rule..... NO BLADES!!! However,over the years I have seen some NASTY LOOKING "bunny killers" that guys have made up!!!!! It is after all,"All about killin' the bunnys"..... But,over the years I have seen arrows do some CRAZY things while rattleing through the brush and bouncing off trees. There are lots of people around,and many times the dogs are hot on the bunny's tail. This is a VERY safe and well organized hunt,but should an accident happen,it would be great relief if damage was kept to a minimum. Over the years,all I have used is a plain old steel blunt. If I hit and loose a bunny,then so be it. As much as I hate them,the coyotes have to eat too.(maybe they'll leave the deer alone for a while) Whatever your bringing,take a GOOD look at it as ask yourself "would I want to get shot in the behind with that???"
#4) LEATHER GLOVES!!!!!
As I said before,this brush is NASTY!!!!! Good heavy smooth leather gloves will go a long way at protecting your hands,and they make pretty fair shooting gloves too!!! I don't even wear a shooting glove or a tab when I'm at the bunny hunt. I do all of my shooting and practiceing with the leather work gloves that I'll be wearing hunting. I usually bring up a few packages of gloves to hand out to those who don't have them,but if you have a pair around the house please bring them. I have one package right now,and I'll try and get a couple more but I can't guarenty I'll have enough for everyone.
Just a few "helpful hints" from a veteran,I would never one to "tell" anyone what to do.....
See ya at the "Bunny Hunt"!!!!!!!!!!
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH YEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!