Congrats Curt! your daughter will love it.
I've been super busy this week and haven't had time to contribute much but I'll tell a little story about my bunny from "rabbit valley".
When we finally started out from Shawn's house it looked like an invading army was heading for the State house in Albany (yeah, wishful thinking, anyways) Mikey (mcgroundstalker) and I decided to just hang back from the crowd to help make sure no one got lost and any newbies were in the best position possible. I kept trying to get some pics of the whole crew but there were just so many hunters that it was impossible. This picture is about as close as I could get, and I think this is only about 2/3 of us.
I think Mike and I are of the same opinion that this hunt is much less about the kill and so much more about the actual experience and comrade. The funny thing is Mike and I both had many shot opportunities even though we weren't in the thick of things so to speak.
When we got to to the circular field, there were plenty of people covering the hill side. Mike and I were standing on top just watching when I noticed a rabbit over towards rabbit valley that was getting the heck out of Dodge WAY before we got to that drive. Having been here before I knew there was a series of holes in one corner of Rabbit valley that year after year the rabbits try to get down. I decided to beat feet over to those holes and try to plug up as many as possible before the hoards had every bunny in the valley going underground. Now most years we have plenty of snow to kick in the holes but not this year. I was left to pick rocks and branches to stuff in the holes. Once the circular field drive was done, Shawn sent several people up along the top of the corn field. I tried to get several people to stand up in that corner, but they all seemed to want to go down the hill and be in the middle of the drive so I ended up staying there knowing that before it was over there would be plenty of rabbits heading for that corner.
As the drive progressed I watched a half dozen rabbits blow out the top of the valley into the cornfield. In years past we never had that kind of cover in that field and I think the rabbits used it to their advantage. Eventually one rabbit decided to try to get down one of the holes I was covering. I didn't ee him until he was at 10 feet and closing fast so I snap shot from about 3/4 draw and managed to skewer him just before he made it to a hole I hadn't seen. He managed to make it down that hole but still had my arrow attached so I dropped to my knees and went in after him. I got very lucky in that the arrow kept him from getting too far down the hole. Someone took this picture for me and I really appreciate it.
One last picture. This is from Sunday in the middle of Brier Back Mountain. This is right after Big Ed had emptied his quiver at a bunny and Doug is trying to pull the rabbit out the other side. I'm only about 25 yards above them in this shot and I never saw this rabbit, but I sure laughed my butt off watching everything unfold.
Thanks again Shawn and family for hosting such a great hunt for a great cause! I can't wait for next year!
Topic: Joan Leonard Memorial Bunny Hunt 09(My Final Thankyou!!) (Read 27091 times)
