The Washington herald., 1907-12-15
HUNT BR'ER RABBIT
HOw the EIuSipe CottontaH May
Be Run to Earth

Way back in a dim corner OF our mem
ory IS the first rabbit ;ha- fel! to Our boy
isn efforts as a hunter. It matters not
how we got him-whether in 4 snare OF
gum-or tracked him 70 the woodpile and.
after seeing that all avenues Of escape
were blocked. demolished the wOodpile
piece by piece, until. struggling and kick
ing. we bore our prize 10 the house in
childish triumph
II doesn't matter one whit that we have
become mighty nimrods in our later
years; many OF Us, indeed, have gained
fame as big game hunters. and have TO
our credit moose. bear. or elk-but with
all the glory and excitement OF the chase
there fingers with most Of US a tender
spot for our first rabbit
OF all the sports that autumn ushers
in, none are so fascinating to a young
hunter. for the very thought Of killing
rabbit is joy in itself Possibly Il is
because rabbits are the one game that is
everywhere in our country; possibly Il is
because it Is at the very door Of every
one Of US; but certain il is that 10 get
a rabbit is in boy parlancS a great
achievement, and a thing much to be de-
sired.
How many of~us can remember when
we passed from the stage OF onIooker,
and with an old single-barreI .muzzle-
loader-the frs gun. we spent our Sat
urday holiday under the supervision Of
the older boys in search Of "Br-er Rab-
5it?" and the particular sensations which
chased themselves up and down our
spinal column when We held in our hand
our first. our very first rabbit
OF all the game with which our locality
is blessed. Molly cotton-taH holds first
place both in point Of abundance and in
general distribution; in fact. so numerous
are they everywhere that many truck
farmer and market gardener would be
glad 10 see them go. Accordingly. one
need go 20 no great distance in order to
find his game; In fact, the fields on the
outskirts Of town contain q few, and a
tramp anywhere in any direction Will
give an opportunity for sport
II you are going out for days sport,
however. it VIII pay you 10 ga little
farther away from the city Blessed,
thrice blessed. are the suburban car
lines: for they enable one 10 get out in
any direction and as far as one likes.
favorite hunting ground for rabbits
borders the Mount Vernon road-the
country is literally stocked with them be-
low the dyke" and there is little or no
objections 10 cunning providing a man
behaves himself. over in Maryland on
the opposite side Of the river. less hunt
ing has been done and there is more
game
The Falls Church and Great Falls roads
lead through some Of the very finest rsb-
bit country. while in Montgomery COun-
y good shooting is 10 be found every
where.
Think you'H try it? All right First
Of all You want that general all-around
gun-your twelve-bore. and No. s shot.
All your work Will be among briarS and
YOU had better wear canvas clothing,
with leggings as an extra covering Tor
your lower regions.
If you own a good rabbit dog, well and
good; II you havs = friend who does. take
him along-both, I mean-any way Just
so you get the use OF the dog. and II
neither is available you viii have 10
kick them UP yourself I am not so sure
that YOU won't have just as good sport
this latter way as any other, for the
rImber OF rabbits one can start himself
If he hunts right is remarkable