Got a rabbit today, no shots fired

[freepop]

Took off for our daily run and hit a farm I've only been to once before. The oldest sounded off, but he's a cold scent dog, so I don't get too hopeful till the youngest reports. I suddenly saw a rabbit pop up, got the dogs going in that direction, then he was over there. I jumped in front of him and out through the woods he went. Going was slow at the edge of the field but as he got in the woods he picked up speed as the snow wasn't as deep. The dogs were hot on him and I stood next to a tree near where we got him going. The music, that hasn't been too frequent this year, was oh so enjoyable and I hoped they'd have a good long run. Then I got to thinking, should I load the gun? I grabbed a shell and put it in the gun and I could tell he was coming around. I really wished they had a longer run and I was terribly torn between whether I should shoot or not. I saw the rabbit come across the railroad track, to my side and start in my direction. The dogs were not far away and were closing on him. I see glimpses of him and he's still headed towards me. Sure enough, he follows the trail that goes behind the tree I'm standing next too and one lucky as all get out step backwards, landed my foot right on him. I picked him up and tried to get him going again for the dogs, but alas, I had stepped to hard
Training in the spring and fall, I have hit them with my hat more than once and have shot a couple with my bow, but would never have believed something like this could happen. I think I'll buy a lottery ticket.

[musher]

You stepped on a rabbit and killed it?

That is rather unique. I don't know whether to congratulate you for the lucky kill or express my sympathies because you have handicapped rabbits!

This a cottontail, right?

[freepop]

Yep, cottontail. Snow drifted area and he couldn't move too good in the 10-12 inches. He wasn't totally dead, but wouldn't run any more for the dogs (sad).

[musher]

I've never seeb a cottontail. Snow isn't there thing. Strange it didn;t go into one of the "holes" we read about. Did the rabbit break trail for the dogs?

[freepop]

We got lucky when we jumped him and were in between him and all the holes. That's why he came back to the same spot and trail. No he didn't break much of a trail, 2 pound rabbit and 30+ lb dogs. Like I mentioned though, the snow was much better for running in the woods compared to the drifted stuff where we jumped him and he got stepped on. Many times when we get a deep snow (over 6" is deep for rabbits) they won't move very far from their holes until it crusts over and they can run on top.

I have chased hare a couple times, the dogs aren't predjudice about color

[northof50]

If your buying that lotto ticket slip over into Canada, Fridays pool is 47 million, on 5 bucks.
That's cash in hand 47 $m.
Had the same happen when testing some wirehairs on cottontails. Dog brought back to master and opened mouth, and dropped rabbit to shocked master's hand. Ever see a rabbit launch from 5 feet up, they can go 20 feet in the air. And a mouth can drop to the ground 5 feet at the same time.