Rabbit Hunting Redlands San Bernardino Forest area

[billrob]

Hi, I 've worked through the whole season with no time off and now I am desperate to load up the freezer with some rabbit.
Anyone know of a legal place to hunt near Redlands?
I don't have time to travel and need to stay near home.
I can use any legal method bow, shotgun, 22lr,
Any helpful tips would be appreciated.

[Jeff S.]

You can pretty much hunt anywhere in the National Forest that you wish: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardin...ation/hunting/

Out in the desert areas on BLM land, there are some shotgun only areas around there: http://www.blm.gov/ca/barstow/shootmap.html

Sorry I don't have specific suggestions of where to go. There are rabbits nearly everywhere in California, especially in areas nearby some kind of agriculture - like alfalfa fields. It's been since my high school days (Redlands HS - Class of '71) since I hunted out there, but up past Mentone and Forest Falls on Highway 38 used to be rabbit city.

I've been meaning to check the shotgun area around the back side of the mountains one of these days - Just haven't had a chance.

- Jeff

[billrob]

Thanks Jeff,
I 'm just dying to eat rabbit.
I'll check it out and let you know.

[Jeff S.]

One of the best investments I ever made was one of those big map books of California you can get at any Sport Chalet and many other sporting goods shops. It has recreational maps showing the status of all the land - National Forest, State Park, BLM and privatre lands, so you know where you can hunt and where not to. It was only about $20.

If you're looking for a partner, I'd be up for a day hunt out there one of these weekends. PM me if you get the urge.

Here's another recipe I found that looks great: http://italianfood.about.com/od/ital.../r/blr1258.htm

Jackrabbits are actually hares, so any recipe you see for hare, a common animal in Europe, should be good for jacks. Cottontails, on the other hand, are rabbits, so are a lot more like chicken in prep (bbq or fry) & taste.

- Jeff

[billrob]

Jeff,
Sounds good.
I have to work pretty much through Thursday of next week.
After that I'll be open.
I went a booked a 3 pheasant hunt for my dog at Four Winds for Saturday.
Someties I kick up a rabbit there.
But after I finish on Thursday the 18th there will only be 10 days left to hunt.
I'm seriously thinking about honoring Dr. Martin Luther King this year and taking the holiday on Monday. I have to see if they are going to work. With my luck they probably will. I can't understand the July to January rabbit season. It should be later in the year say late October to March when the weather is more seasonal i.e. miserable overcast rainy and cold. Thats hunting weather.
Thanks for the invite and the recipe.
I only shot one jack in my life in Colorado and he had some serious sores on his body. Looked like blisters. I hate to waste but no way I was eatin that one.
I have a sports chalet down the street I'll check it out.
Cottontails eat real good.

[tcrhunter]

Jackrabbit hunting is year around and cottontail only ends in January, since from then females are pregnant and I would not eat the meat of a pregnant one. In any case during wintertime the jacks are better and do not have any problems like they do during summer time. I was hunting last weekend on the mountain behind Big bear and got a nice jack and few quails. But just like you sad they are building all over the place and the only place left to hunt is up the mountain and foothills. Good lock

[billrob]

Thanks tcr

[billrob]

Just got back from a rabbit /pheasant hunt.
Went 2 for 5 on rabbit and 3 for 3 on pheasant at Four Winds Pheasant Club. Could have went 5 for 5 but the dog was in the way.
Sometimes they would flush out on the other side of her and I wasn't about to shoot over her back.
2 will make for alittle eatin to satisfy my cravings.

[dw33]

Congratulations on a good hunt.

[7mm RM]

Congrats and good info

[timsms]

Hey Guys,

I LIVE in redlands, have all my life (class of 81&#39. When i was growing up my dad and i used to go jsut down behind red. Comm. Hospital, but not anymore...HAHAHAHA...
The best thing to do is call Redlands P.D. and S.B. County Sheriff and tell them you want to go hunting up past mentone in the wash towarns Forest Falls. THEY will tell you where, if someone calls, that they will respond to illegal shooting. It is sad, but even if you are on legal ground, the sheriff might come and hassle you. In any area that has the population density of the Inland Empire, it is always good to know where the "Cops" consider to be and area that they find acceptable.

And DO NOT go shooting with your 22lr...! If you are useing a shotgun, your field of influence is only abou t 30 yrds, BUT if you are shooting a 22lr, then your fields increases to about 1.25 miles..!!! UNDERSTAND.? Alot of people i know who live in the boon dock don't mind hearing a shotgun, but if they hear the little plinking of a 22, they freak...

If yuo would like to maybe join up for some jackrabbit hunting, send me an email..ok?

Thanks,

Tim

[Jeff S.]

Hey Tim - RHS Class of '71 - I'd love to take you up on your offer in the next month or so.

- Jeff