The Washington times., 1905-06-02
4 WORD CONCERNING RABBIT HUNTING
By GROVER CLEvrLAND ExPesdent Of the United States
INDEPENDENT
From THE INDEPENDENT.

Because rabbit shooting Is seasonabIe
only In late fall or winter weather the
mention Of 1t IS calculated TO suggest
shiyering ehills. cold feet. n;1fz.L fingers.
and ali sorts Of heavy clothing. At first
blush, therefore. It may not seem 70 be
exactly an appropriate topic TO be given
a place In a magazine designed for mid
summer reading.
On second thought, however, I hope
1t will not lie deemed an1iss that the
torridity of such u magazine Should be
tempered by a cooling adInixtITe hint
ing OF Gecreation free from dog-day
swelter, and reminding the reader that
season is on its way which brings
With IT outdoor sport exempt from sum-
mer heat and unvexed "by The stings
and arrows OF outrageous gnats. flies.
or mosquitoes,
It is quite within reason te suppose
that the addition of rabbit hunting TO
the ingredients that simmer In summer
Tecreatiye reading might be sss refresh
ing as the addition Of ice 10 Al other
wise tepid summer tipfie.
Dignity as True Game.
Some hunters there are, of the super
refined and dudisIl sort, who deny to
the rabbit any position among ieg.ti-
mate game animals; and there are 9TH
ers who, while grudgiegly admitting
rabbits to the list. s.efa TO think It
necessary TO excuse their concession
by calling them hares.
I regard all this as pure affectation
and nonsense deem It not beneath
my dignity and standing as feputa BILE
gunner TO write Of the rabbit as an
entirely suitable member Of the game
community; and in dong SO ! am not
dealing with nares or any other thing
all fV-f! "a. alj
ra abbits-sometimes appropriately called
..cotton-tails.
Though the may be .sdefaned by
every chsriatan'. among hunters 81 self
constituted high degree. and despised by
thousands who know nothing Of their
game auaiities.I an not ashamed of
their pursuit: and count Il by 10
means bad skill to force them by a sue-
ceSsfui shot to a topsy-turvy pause
when at their best speed.
Habits Of the Rabbit.
These sly little fellows feed at night.
and during the day they hide so closely
IN grass or among rocks and bszsh that
1t Is seldom they can be seen when at
rest.
Of course. no decent man will shoot q
ra bbit whiie sitting. and I have known
them TO refuse TO start for anything
less than a kick or puiach When they
do start, however. they demonstrate
quite clearly that they have kept their
feet IN the best possible position for q
spring and run.
After such start the rabbit must in
fairness be given an abundant chance
70 gain fufl headway and when he has
traVoTsed the necessary distance for
this. and Is at his fastest gait, the hunt
er that shoots him has good reason 20
be satisfied with his craftsmanship.
I once actually poked one up and he
escaped unhurt. though four loads of
shot were sent after him.
Hunting With Dogs.
IN the main. however. dogs must be
relied upon for the real enjoyment 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 betakes himself
TO a hole or other safe shelter, instead
of relying upon hfs running ability.
The baying Of three or four good dogs
steadily following a little eotton-tail
should be as exhiiaFating and as pleas
ant to ears attuned to the music as IL the
chase were foE bigger game. AS the
music is heard more distinctly, the
hunter is allowed to hatter himself that
his acute judgment can determine the
route of the approaching game and the