Shooting rabbits with shotgun?

[a1993h]

I'm getting my gun lisence soon and I'll be using my grandads shotgun. Just wondering if its ok to shoot rabbit with a shotgun or would it just destroy it and blow it to pieces. My areas crowded with them. I'd like to keep the pelts too for traditional hats, pouches etc.

Cheers, Andy.

 

[spandit]

Perfectly OK - especially if they're on the run. You can practice with clay rabbits (like clay pigeon). Not as much "sport" as stalking with a rifle perhaps but an effective means of pest control. Hides will be a bit damaged, mind

 

[British Red]

Depends on the bore of the shotgun, the choke, the load and the range.

Short answer, its fine for meat but is likely to make multiple holes in the pelt. A 12 bore at close range using a warm load will make a right old mess of brother brer. A 28 bore at 25 yards with an open choke will knock it down, a .410 at fifty yards will just wound it if that (most likely in all cases anyway)

A rifle is better if you really want to tan the pelts, but a shotgun gives you a better chance on a moving target.

Your call

Red

 

[tomongoose]

I find if using a shot gun soak the meat in salt water to get the blood out of it otherwise it can taste a bit bloody.

 

[huffhuff]

...and obviously you'll have land owners permission and follow the required legalities and as always, common sense prevails

...and if you get in quick, it's harvest time. Prime bunny fun with a shotgun!

 

[Welshwizard]

It depends on what choke your shotgun is as well as the gauge , cartridge and range your shooting at (as Britishred) you really need to check your pattern out at different ranges , on running rabbits I use a 12 with 3/4 choke and 2 3/4 inch 5 or 6 shot , If I,m lamping without my whippet I use a .22 rimfire (approved land ) or .22 pcp air rifle .

 

[Pict]

Where I grew up in Pennsylvania the law was shotgun only for hunting. We never had a problem with the 12 ga tearing them up too bad. It's like any other game animal caught in a pattern of shot. They only get hit with a few pellets. We used the 12 ga for everything from dove to deer.

 

[Bushy Crafter]

In the Netherlands I've always attended hunts with shotguns. Yes the pelt will have a few holes in it and it can be a tedious job getting the pellets out (Especially if you hit them close range) but the meat always stayed intact. On a moving target the odds just improve not only on actually hitting the target, but also on the kill being fatal.