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Rabbit camp
I’ve been in all sorts of hunting camps throughout the years. When I was a youngster back in the sixties, I would visit “squirrel camps” in Red River County where several guys would camp out in tents for a few days and hunt and cook squirrel. Many of us that hunt, spend time in “deer camp” each year. I’ve spent plenty of good times around hunting camps where hunting elk, bear or wild hogs was the focus but “Rabbit Camp?”
During my many years as a hunter, I’ve bagged lots of rabbits but usually these were morning or late afternoon excursions that might last a couple hours and result in a few rabbits. This past week, I joined some good friends for what we referred to as our first annual "Mid Winter Rabbit Camp!" Our plan was to combine some old-school night-hunting tactics with state of the art thermal imaging and bag enough rabbits for several meals. Our time spent at “rabbit camp” might interest you and possibly spark you do a bit of rabbit hunting yourself.
http://www.ntxe-news.com/artman/uplo...bbit-2-_1_.jpgRabbit numbers are currently high in many areas, so Luke joined some friends last week for a couple days at "rabbit camp." Pictured (L-R) are Terry Tate, Deryl Markgraf and Matt Yates. (photo by Luke Clayton)
My good friend Deryl Markgraf has a hunting lease near Graford that provides some good hunting for wild hogs and deer but the place is also home to a strong number of cottontail rabbits. This summer, Deryl and his hunting buddies set up a nice camp on the place with several RV’s serving as headquarters. In many ways, Deryl and I are kindred spirits, we both are quick to give just about anything a try when it comes to hunting and fishing that sounds like fun and promises fish fillets or tasty game meat.
A month or so ago, the topic of rabbit hunting came up and we both had to scratch our heads to remember the last rabbit hunt we went on or… the last meal of tasty fried or barbequed rabbit. Deryl brought up the fact that on recent night hog hunts, he and his buddies had seen many, many cottontails.
Deryl gave his good friend Matt Yates a call and invited him to come and join us on this hunt. Matt was an Army Ranger (once a Ranger, always a Ranger) and I called our mutual friend Terry Tate, who is an airgun expert and builder of custom airrifles and air shotguns. Deryl and Matt were seasoned veterans at night hunting with thermal scopes but for hogs and predators, not rabbits. We quickly formulated a plan to put bunnies in the bag and ultimately, the skillet!
We waited until dark and headed out in Deryl’s ATV which has a bed behind the cab that makes for a good vantage point for both the “spotter” and shooter. Being a veteran at spotting critters with thermal at night and having a young set of knees for standing in the bed, Matt became the spotter. Our airgun specialist Terry Tate was the designated shooter. The plan was to drive along the remote ranch roads with Matt using a thermal monocular to identify the rabbits and Deryl driving within shooting range, Terry would turn on his red spotlight and make the shot with his .22 caliber semi auto air rifle.
I was the designated “retriever.” I rode alongside Deryl and after the shot, I would walk up and located the downed rabbit. I carried a single-shot .25 caliber Airforce Condor in case a second shot was required.
Without the thermal monocular to identify the rabbits, often hidden from view in the thick broomweed on the ranch, I’m positive we would not have been nearly as successful, but thanks to the thermal, we were able to locate and bag 9 rabbits on the 1.5 hour hunt. Tate is an expert shot and I only had to “follow up” with a couple of rabbits.
Back at camp, Deryl and I dressed the rabbits and put the quarters on ice and afterwards, I used my old cast iron skillet to transform some seasoned axis buck steaks into some great tasting fajitas. Deryl broke out a pot of his chorizo cheese dip and we dined like kings. There is something very special about eating a fine dinner around a campfire with a heaven full of bright stars on a cold winter’s evening.
Talk around the campfire was lively and varied, as campfire talk usually is among a group of good friends after a successful hunt. The topic of comfort while standing in the bed of the ATV came up and Deryl discussed a solution: a custom high rack for his ATV with two seats!
If it’s been a while since you enjoyed a winter rabbit hunt or meal of smothered rabbit, rice and gravy, you might give some thought to setting up your own “rabbit camp.”
With the close of deer season, there’s no need to abandon the old deer camp. Just rename it “rabbit camp” and go on a rabbit quest. I’m betting you will enjoy the outing every bit as much as the opener of deer season several months ago, maybe more!
RABBIT RECIPE -- Dust seasoned rabbit quarters with flour and brown in a cast iron skillet, drain excess oil and add chopped onion, a can of cream of mushroom soup and water. Cover with lid and simmer on low heat for about an hour, stirring occasionally. Add a cup of rice and more water and allow rice to cook for about 20 minutes.
BBQ RABBIT -- Season rabbit quarters with salt and pepper or your favorite dry seasoning. Place on grill and baste with BBQ sauce until meat is about half done. Then, place in aluminum pan with more BBQ sauce, cover tightly with foil and allow to cook slowly until rabbit meat is tender.
Listen to “Outdoors with Luke Clayton and Friends” weekends on radio stations from Nebraska to Texas or anytime online at www.catfishradio.com
