The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-06-21
Cleveland Hunts Rabbits.

ehootiuS lor tue vacation hum0er or !
the Independent. He says:
Because rabbit shooting is season
able only in late fall or winter weather
the mention Of it is calculated to sug-
gest shivering chills, cold feet, numb |
fingers and oil sorts Of heavy clothing.
At first blush, therefore, it may not
seem to be exactly an appropriate top.
ic to be given place in magazine
designed for midsummer reading. On
second thought. however, / hope it
will not be deemed amiss that the
torridity of such magazine should be
tempered by cooling admixture hint
ing Of recreation free from dog day
swelter, and reminding the reader that
season is on its way which brings
with it outdoor sport exempt from
summer heat and unvexed by the
stings and arrows of outrag-
eous gnats, flies or mosquitoes. 1t is
quite with reason to suppose that the
addition of rabbit hunting to the in
gradients that simmer in summer re.
creative reading might be as refresh
ing as the addition of ice to an other
wise tepid summer tippie.
"Some hunters there are, Of the su-
perfned and dudish sort, who d,ny to
the rabbit any position among legiti-
mate game animals; and there are 9TH
ers who while grudgingly admitting
rabits to the list, seem to think it ne
cessary to excuse their concession by
calling them hares. 1 regard ell this
as pure affectation and nonsense.
deem it not beneath my dignity and
standing as reputable gunner to write
Of the rabbit as an entirely suitable
member of the game community, and
in doing SO I am not dealing with hares
or any other thing except plain, little,
every day plebeian rabbits sometimes
appropriately called cotton tails.
Though they may be DETAINED by every
charlatan' among hunters of self-con-
stitute. nigh degree, and despised by
thousands who know nothing of their
game qualities, I am not ashamed of
their pursuit, and I count it by no
means bad skill to force them by sue
cessful shot to q topsy turvey pause
when at their best speed.
"These sly little fellows feed at
night, and during the day they hide
SO closely in grass or among rocks and
brush it is seldom they can be seen
when at rest. Of course, no decent
man will shoot rabbit while sitting,
and I have known them to refuse to
start for anything less than kick or
punch. When they do start, however
they demonstrate quite clearly that
they have kept their feet in the best
possible position for spring and run.
After such start the rabbit must in
fairness be given an abundant chase
to gain full headway, and when he has
traversed the necessary distance for
this, and is at his fastest gait the hunt.
er that shoots him has good reason to
be satisfied with his Workmanship.
I once actually poked one up and he
escaped unhurt, though four loads of
| shot were sent after him.
''In the main, however, dogs must
be relied upon for the real employment
| and success of rabbit hunting. The
fastest dogs are not the best, because
they are apt to chase the rabbit so
swiftly and closely that he quickly be-
takes himself to hole or other safe
shelter, instead Of relying upon his
running ability. The baying of three
or four good dogs steadil y following
little cotton tail should be as exhiler-
ating and as pleasant to ears attuned
to the music as if the chase were for
bigger game. AS the music is heard
more distinctly, theshunter is allowed
to fatter himself that his acute judg.
ment can determine tho route of the
approaching game and the precise
point from which an advantageous
shot can be secured. The self.satis.
fed conoeit aroused by fortunate
guess concerning this important de-
tail, especially if supplemented by q
fatal shot, should permit the lucky
gunner to enjoy as fully the compla-
cent, pleasurable persuasion that the
entire achievement is due to his saga
city, ksenness aud skill as though the
animal cireumvented were a larger
beast, In either case the hunter ex.
periences the delight born Of well
sense Of superiority and self pride,
and this notwith thstanding all attempts
to keep it in the background, is the
most gratifying factor in every sporting
| INDULGENCE.