Rabbits in the snow

[xtrema312]

So I am thinking about some rabbit hunting this winter.  I have never hunted them seriously with a bow in the snow.  What is the best point to use in hopes of having arrows to shoot before the thaw?  I have some judo's, and hex heads, but would rubber blunts be better at making the arrows jump up and stay where I can find them?  Is it better to wait until the grounds gets frozen so the arrow bounce up better?

[George D. Stout]

Use the hexheads, they will work fine.  If you are taking running shots where you could lose arrows in the snow, I would use hexheads and a flu-flu.

[LKH]

Father-in-law gave me about 100 old arrows. Went over by Burns, OR during a jackrabbit boom.  Put .38 emptys on some.  Others just field points.  Took me till noon the first day to lose all of them.

Have fun.

[Rick P]

Bright fletchings on pink or fluorescent green arrows. The judo heads stop the arrow in brush faster than any other head but nothing stops them in snow, except to loose a few. When you do bury an arrow follow the track it makes in the snow, use your foot or a branch to sweep back and forth across the track and keep going for several feet or even yards past where the track ends. The arrow will pop up when you hit it with your foot.

I use whatever cheap junk arrows I can find NOT the expensive big game arrows. Your not shooting very far and penetration isn't an issue. If the snow is more than about 8 inches deep your going to loose a few, only way around it is switch to a shotgun or .22.

[WindWalker-AK]

Loss of expensive arrows when the snow is 2' to 3' deep, was a little hard to swallow.  Yep, gave up winter hunting of Hare with a bow, 18 years ago.  Been getting the urge to try again as it sure was a lot of fun.  Guess I am going to have to take up arrow making, dang it all!  Ah well, been meaning to anyway.
Best Wishes

[xtrema312]

Sounds like I need to wait on the nice warm-up days when the snow melts down some . Always found those the best days anyway.  That or take close shots in cover where I will get less skip and slide.

[Spectre]

Not only that, but, Judo's are LOUSY small game heads. They stop great in the brush, but for some reason I have found that they just don't get the killin' done.

[pdk25]

I don't know about that.  Probably not great for squirrel, but I've killed a bunch of grouse with judo tips.  Rabbits aren't real tough either.

[EricW]

I've had judo blow right through a rabbit. Thought I missed until I piccked up the arrow. He ran off a little ways. I have been using the hammer heads and hex heads both work well

[Gray Buffalo]

Put a little blue carpentry chalk on your feathers and it will levee a blue streak in the snow. Jerry

[sweeney3]

Judos seem alright for rabbit to me.  Wouldn't use them on squirrel.  The hex and hammer blunts work well too.  The main problem around here lately is finding rabbits.  My last couple of rabbit trips have turned into stump/leaf pile trips.

[pdk25]

Now that's a great tip, Jerry.

[Spectre]

I have had jackrabbits run off with a judo tipped arrow before. I just use an old broadhead for them.

[Kevin Winkler]

Jerry........that's cool I'm going to try that the next time I go out.

[Dave Bulla]

Jerry beat me to it.  I've never done it but I've heard of guys doing it and they say it works well but is a little messy.

[Gray Buffalo]

@ $10.00 "+" per arrow I can handle messy

   

[Mudd]

Hey G.B.
I love it when you're Scottish blood starts to show itself!!..lol From one of Highland decent to another. Now where's you kilt? I happen to have an extra you can borrow. I'm willing to bet theat sight would freeze them for sitting shots. I know it works for me..lol

God bless,Mudd

PS Just try digging that mental image out of your brain.

[Jeremy]

If I'm hunting in deep snow I expect to lose the arrows.  I also expect to have more good shots at rabbits that aren't moving as quickly or get bogged down.  Usually I'm using leftover arrows from previous seasons or rejects.

 
 
Ahh, the memories  :D