Since my deer season was a bust, as I couldn't find the deer I managed to put a bullet in, I'm always looking for excuses to get out and hunt some more.

The past couple of opportunities have been, "spur of the moment," when the opportunity arises and I don't have family obligations that impede upon my fun. I do this as a way of getting out and exploring new country and also, as I tell the wife, exercise our two beloved puppies.

I'm talking about chasing rabbits through the prickley pear and mesquite. So far the rabbits are winning but it sure teaches one to swing a gun quick and get on target fast. I find that with the amount of brush cover I'm seeing rabbits as I almost step on them and they run out from under me. This affords me the opportunity to learn to be fast and accurate. Of course accuracy with a shotgun is a lot different than accuracy with a rifle but the basic principles are the same I think.

Different parts of the country produce different styles of hunting as what works in one area may not work as well in another. In my deer hunting foray I've learned that long distance seems to be the rule rather than the exception. In rabbit hunting I'm finding that it's much more up close and personal given there is too much cover for distance to be used to my advantage. Also, instead of a group of rabbits I'm finding them as singles. Maybe I'm just finding the bachelors or old maid version of rabbits but I don't think so. 

I remember as a lad seeing large groups of rabbits along farm roads in the midwest. Here in the desert southwest I find that not to be the case. Now I may be going about this wrong and just taking a long walk for minimal gain but at least the dogs stay healthy. They aren't hunting dogs and I don't use them as such but they do enjoy getting out of the house, the same as I do, and playing around in the desert.

This time hunting rabbits lets me further develop my knowledge of the area. Locate and know other game animals, like deer, and helps to keep me in shape for when deer hunting season rolls around again. The nice thing is rabbits are in season 365 days out of the year, as are coyotes. Of coyote hunting is done from a "stand" and one is best served by calling them in. That negates the physical aspect that I like about the way I hunt rabbits.

As I hunt more I'm finding more and more opportunities to hunt something. It may not be what I want to hunt but at least it's an opportunity to actually hunt. That beats any day at work in my book.