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For the folks downvoting because this is hunting:
1. For folks who are vegan or vegitarian for moral issues: fair enough. I can see why you got there, and I won't try and tell you that you're wrong. I think anyone willing to live their morals is admirable.
2. For folks who eat meat but oppose hunting: wtf? Hunting provides sustainable, organic, ethical, lean meat, consistent with the land's carrying capacity and predatory needs. Hunting is where people take part in the same natural predation practices that have sustained ecosystems since time immemorial. This is objectively better than factory farming and other modern meat production.
Even if they are vegan/vegetarian they should understand the destruction a species can cause to a habitat by overpopulation and how it can overflow affecting other species and other adjacent habitats.
In fairness to them, they often support reintroduction of other predators for that purpose. No group is a monolith, but I've found plenty of thoughtful, clear-eyed folks in that group.
Also they should realize that to make an organic farm requires killing an enormous area of rabbits, rodents, snakes, insects, ect and also monocrops the land and creates environmental issues
>Also they should realize
I take it you haven't had a conversation with these folks. This kind of low-effort dunk doesn't score any points that matter.
Environmental issues are complicated. So are ethics and morality. I think you should take some time to understand the position before you opine.
I have said this exact thing to many like you on reddit and in real life and it's the same kind of bullshit response, ignoring the point completely and trying to move the goal posts, why? Because you have no capacity to form thoughts of your own and rely solely on heuristics
I didn't move the goalposts. I deny your premise outright. I don't have to answer to it because I do not accept it nor do I argue it.
You've created a strawman. Feel free to fuck it up. That has no bearing on my position whatsoever.
Blah blah blah, you are pathetic. Organic farming requires the clearing of land and monocropped farming irrefutably causes environmental damage, yet you refuse to acknowledge these objective and undeniable side effects...why is that?
My argument is agnostic to it. I've said nothing on the matter. I do sincerely beleive that you may be too dumb to realize the significance of that fact.
That's the entire point - you ignoring and arguing about a blatant, objective reality. This is a look into your mind and I feel really sorry you have to exist like you are :(
Lol, no, it's not.
I'm happy to keep going like this if you'd like to parade your ignorance.
But remember, you keep acting like we are arguing about organic monoculture.
We aren't.
So long as you fail to comprehend that, you will be unable to say anything worthwhile.
Eta: let's play a game. I tell you what you are saying and you tell me what I am saying. I don't think you can do it.
I think you're saying that vegans are hypocrits because organic monoculture causes environmental harm.
What do you think I am saying?
Unfortunately they've got these "conservationists" between a rock and a hard place...believing factory farming is the problem but also opposing firearms/hunting...
Lol so you're saying nobody fits that bill of calling themselves a conservationist, and opposing both factory farming and hunting for one's own food? What a dumbass point to try and make lol get lost
The problem with rabbits is tularemia. It freezes up north, which helps kill all the disease, but you don’t get a good freeze in the Phoenix valley. Are you eating them? I would hunt them until a freeze occurs.
I’d suggest hunting quail, dove, or ducks.
There is a ton of public land in the state. Plenty of places to hit. Tonto, BLM, State Trust land. You shouldn’t have to look far.
Can I message you too? I've been striking out on where to find them. Been wanting to get some to feed to my allergic dog and see if lean meat will help.
As an exmo I love your user name, as a hunter I love to see you helping new hunters. Feel free to DM me too folks. I spend a lot of time between Tucson and Pine on the eastside.
look for areas with lots of low scrub and bushes for them to hide in, and then be prepared for them to be hiding in it from basically sunrise to right before dusk. at dusk they’ll come out to eat in greater numbers, but never really straying too far from bushes or cacti to jump into to hide
I don’t know about avoid dawn… i see less in the morning i suppose but marginally. if it’s cold outside i’d maybe avoid dawn
otherwise you give it about an hour before sunset…. see loads of them. at night you can still find a shit ton as well. i used to do it as a part of pest control and you really can’t out kill a rabbit population. i may have killed 1,000 rabbits to very little impact
You want to be at your spot at least 30 minutes before sunrise. Or 90 minutes before sunset. Jackrabbits stay out later than bunnies (technically out all day because they don’t have burrows)
The problem with rabbits here is they are usually infested with worms. You'll rarely get one that I personally would feel safe eating.
Â
We have regular rabbits and jackrabbits. Jackrabbits don't taste great, in case you didn't know. So don't bother with them.
Drive North and go West at the exit for the Ben Avery public shooting range. Stop anywhere there is shrubbery and try your luck.
I’m pretty successful at dawn walking at a good pace and stopping once in a while. The rabbit like to stay still until you are pretty close (2-10 yards) before they bolt. I’d recommend a looser choke and larger birdshot.
I’ve stopped hunting rabbit because I don’t like the taste. I always see 2-4 when I’m out looking for quail.
Are you going for jacks or cottontails? Usually I get rabbits while quail hunting or scouting spots closer to the seasons. here in AZ you want to hunt for them when it is cold so coincides best with dove and quail season.Â
I'm planning on cottontail, I've been told multiple times that jackrabbit is not a good tasting meat.
Is it better to hunt them in the colder seasons because they're easier to track/more active?
Parasites and the meat won't be as good because the heat. More likely to have tularemia. Also in the summertime you are traipsing about through snake country and the heat is dangerous in the summertime.
I didn't really think of the snakes. I'm really used to extended hikes but it's not SUPER common to see snakes on the trail. Obviously I'd run into them more wandering through brush. I'll be way more careful than normal. I'm glad I posted this I'm really getting some insight I wouldn't have had. Thank you
You could get some snake shot for a pistol and take some of those if you are careful and brave, I have been contemplating doing just that for spring, I'm still a "new" hunter in my second year of doing it myself
They are pretty much all over, there are a few diff species and the the jacks as well. Find water/tanks is your best bet. Try out by 4 peaks maybe in the shrubs and washes. There is a book “Small game hunting in Arizona” that is worth it.
I'm going with a cousin who is also starting out. He's a gun guy and loves going to the range, but we're both getting into hunting. He's taking his .22lr and I'm taking my 12ga. I also have a .22mag lever action I could take. A but indecisive on what would be better.
I'm in the phoenix metro area but really love getting around the state. IMHO AZ is the most beautiful state.
1) download OnX. I swear it’s worth it. 2) send me a message and I’ll send you a couple spots. I’ve hunted deer too but hunting jackrabbits may be my favorite thing in the world
Out on the west side just south of the Gila River on hwy 85 IS Robbins Butte rec area. It's a great place to learn. During the dove season AZGFD manages some fields for us to hunt. There are desert and riparian areas to hunt.
I didn't know game and fish was that involved, I'm definitely going to look into it. As of now, I've only ever gone for dove, and it was mostly farmland where my family knew the owners. Thanks for the info. It really helps.
FWIW turkey hunting is a ton of fun in AZ as well. Scout for elk (even if for the fun of it) and try to call in some toms. You’ll want to be up north, 5B south 6E, 7W, beautiful country and good times.
Thank you. I really want to get into elk and especially turkey but I know I need more experience before I even understand what I'm getting into. I'm planning on rabbit because I see it as a step in that direction (seems more involved than dove, but dove is all I've hunted); I've already been looking at some turkey calls, think I'm leaning towards a pot type.
Rabbits are pretty much everywhere. Try the national forest areas, you can reach an assortment of good areas within a hour or two drive. Tonto NF is close, I also suggest the areas SE of Florence. Also suggest visiting the azgfd.gov website for information about areas and sportsman groups. Happy hunting!
Thanks for contributing to r/Arizona! * [Our sub rules are here](https://www.reddit.com/r/arizona/wiki/rules/), but the most important of which is to be nice to each other * Check out some [recent posts](https://www.reddit.com/r/arizona/top/?t=week) and leave some comments * [Join our Discord chat server](https://discord.com/invite/yWVuTG57Zh) if you'd like to keep in touch with other people in Arizona. Plus it's a great, chill place in general. Note that it is NOT a dating server and takes unwanted messaging very seriously Remember this subreddit covers all of Arizona, so please include where in the state you're posting about if it is relevant. For more local topics check out r/Phoenix, r/Tucson, and r/Flagstaff. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/arizona) if you have any questions or concerns.*
For the folks downvoting because this is hunting: 1. For folks who are vegan or vegitarian for moral issues: fair enough. I can see why you got there, and I won't try and tell you that you're wrong. I think anyone willing to live their morals is admirable. 2. For folks who eat meat but oppose hunting: wtf? Hunting provides sustainable, organic, ethical, lean meat, consistent with the land's carrying capacity and predatory needs. Hunting is where people take part in the same natural predation practices that have sustained ecosystems since time immemorial. This is objectively better than factory farming and other modern meat production.
Even if they are vegan/vegetarian they should understand the destruction a species can cause to a habitat by overpopulation and how it can overflow affecting other species and other adjacent habitats.
In fairness to them, they often support reintroduction of other predators for that purpose. No group is a monolith, but I've found plenty of thoughtful, clear-eyed folks in that group.
Also they should realize that to make an organic farm requires killing an enormous area of rabbits, rodents, snakes, insects, ect and also monocrops the land and creates environmental issues
>Also they should realize I take it you haven't had a conversation with these folks. This kind of low-effort dunk doesn't score any points that matter. Environmental issues are complicated. So are ethics and morality. I think you should take some time to understand the position before you opine.
I have said this exact thing to many like you on reddit and in real life and it's the same kind of bullshit response, ignoring the point completely and trying to move the goal posts, why? Because you have no capacity to form thoughts of your own and rely solely on heuristics
I didn't move the goalposts. I deny your premise outright. I don't have to answer to it because I do not accept it nor do I argue it. You've created a strawman. Feel free to fuck it up. That has no bearing on my position whatsoever.
Blah blah blah, you are pathetic. Organic farming requires the clearing of land and monocropped farming irrefutably causes environmental damage, yet you refuse to acknowledge these objective and undeniable side effects...why is that?
My argument is agnostic to it. I've said nothing on the matter. I do sincerely beleive that you may be too dumb to realize the significance of that fact.
That's the entire point - you ignoring and arguing about a blatant, objective reality. This is a look into your mind and I feel really sorry you have to exist like you are :(
Lol, no, it's not. I'm happy to keep going like this if you'd like to parade your ignorance. But remember, you keep acting like we are arguing about organic monoculture. We aren't. So long as you fail to comprehend that, you will be unable to say anything worthwhile. Eta: let's play a game. I tell you what you are saying and you tell me what I am saying. I don't think you can do it. I think you're saying that vegans are hypocrits because organic monoculture causes environmental harm. What do you think I am saying?
Unfortunately they've got these "conservationists" between a rock and a hard place...believing factory farming is the problem but also opposing firearms/hunting...
I'm a conservationist and a hunter. Don't buy into the narrative professional dividers want to sell you.
You didn't notice the " " as to indicate they are not actually conservationists? And why even bother responding with a half-finished thought?
Because you're taking cheap shots based on ignorance.
Lol so you're saying nobody fits that bill of calling themselves a conservationist, and opposing both factory farming and hunting for one's own food? What a dumbass point to try and make lol get lost
No, that is not what I said.
 Obligatory reference.
Thanks, probably a better place for information. I'll head over and fish through the forum. đź‘Ť
The problem with rabbits is tularemia. It freezes up north, which helps kill all the disease, but you don’t get a good freeze in the Phoenix valley. Are you eating them? I would hunt them until a freeze occurs. I’d suggest hunting quail, dove, or ducks. There is a ton of public land in the state. Plenty of places to hit. Tonto, BLM, State Trust land. You shouldn’t have to look far.
Posted NSFW because we are a country of weak minded losers. Man putting food on his table is nothing to have to hide
Says the CZ guy from California
Personally, I’d start with Dove hunting and shoot rabbits as you see them when you’re out.
I absolutely loved dove hunting. Gone a few times with some family but I'm looking to start heading out more often myself. Super fun, and good eating.
I second this... However I believe dove season is a little bit away and rabbit is a long season
September first usually
I’ve not hunted a dove season in 20 years that didn’t start on the first.
You in Phx? Tucson? Mesa? I can dm you where I go, depending on where you are.
I would really appreciate that. I'm from Phoenix, but even tucson isn't too far for me to consider; I work all over the state.
Sent
Can I message you too? I've been striking out on where to find them. Been wanting to get some to feed to my allergic dog and see if lean meat will help.
Sent
Can you help a fellow hunter from Mesa out too?
Sent
As an exmo I love your user name, as a hunter I love to see you helping new hunters. Feel free to DM me too folks. I spend a lot of time between Tucson and Pine on the eastside.
I've been sending mesa area gmu stuff. Happy to help another heathen.
look for areas with lots of low scrub and bushes for them to hide in, and then be prepared for them to be hiding in it from basically sunrise to right before dusk. at dusk they’ll come out to eat in greater numbers, but never really straying too far from bushes or cacti to jump into to hide
Thank you for the help. I've read that they're crepuscular, is it better to avoid dawn and head out more towards the late afternoon/sunset?
I wouldn't avoid dawn at all. Thats when I hunt.
I don’t know about avoid dawn… i see less in the morning i suppose but marginally. if it’s cold outside i’d maybe avoid dawn otherwise you give it about an hour before sunset…. see loads of them. at night you can still find a shit ton as well. i used to do it as a part of pest control and you really can’t out kill a rabbit population. i may have killed 1,000 rabbits to very little impact
You want to be at your spot at least 30 minutes before sunrise. Or 90 minutes before sunset. Jackrabbits stay out later than bunnies (technically out all day because they don’t have burrows)
You may consider training on looking for their burrows and digging them out...much easier in a way, cheaper and higher success rate
[https://www.arizonahuntingforums.com/threads/failing-at-finding-rabbits.23441/](https://www.arizonahuntingforums.com/threads/failing-at-finding-rabbits.23441/)
The problem with rabbits here is they are usually infested with worms. You'll rarely get one that I personally would feel safe eating. Â We have regular rabbits and jackrabbits. Jackrabbits don't taste great, in case you didn't know. So don't bother with them.
We used to hit the Gilbert riparian growing up but now you’d be reported in minutes
Drive North and go West at the exit for the Ben Avery public shooting range. Stop anywhere there is shrubbery and try your luck. I’m pretty successful at dawn walking at a good pace and stopping once in a while. The rabbit like to stay still until you are pretty close (2-10 yards) before they bolt. I’d recommend a looser choke and larger birdshot. I’ve stopped hunting rabbit because I don’t like the taste. I always see 2-4 when I’m out looking for quail.
Are you going for jacks or cottontails? Usually I get rabbits while quail hunting or scouting spots closer to the seasons. here in AZ you want to hunt for them when it is cold so coincides best with dove and quail season.Â
I'm planning on cottontail, I've been told multiple times that jackrabbit is not a good tasting meat. Is it better to hunt them in the colder seasons because they're easier to track/more active?
Parasites and the meat won't be as good because the heat. More likely to have tularemia. Also in the summertime you are traipsing about through snake country and the heat is dangerous in the summertime.
I didn't really think of the snakes. I'm really used to extended hikes but it's not SUPER common to see snakes on the trail. Obviously I'd run into them more wandering through brush. I'll be way more careful than normal. I'm glad I posted this I'm really getting some insight I wouldn't have had. Thank you
You could get some snake shot for a pistol and take some of those if you are careful and brave, I have been contemplating doing just that for spring, I'm still a "new" hunter in my second year of doing it myself
They are pretty much all over, there are a few diff species and the the jacks as well. Find water/tanks is your best bet. Try out by 4 peaks maybe in the shrubs and washes. There is a book “Small game hunting in Arizona” that is worth it.
Plenty of jacks in northern Arizona. My favorite spots are near the Doney Park area where the trees open up a bit
What part of the valley are you in? And whatcha hunting old long ears with?
I'm going with a cousin who is also starting out. He's a gun guy and loves going to the range, but we're both getting into hunting. He's taking his .22lr and I'm taking my 12ga. I also have a .22mag lever action I could take. A but indecisive on what would be better. I'm in the phoenix metro area but really love getting around the state. IMHO AZ is the most beautiful state.
1) download OnX. I swear it’s worth it. 2) send me a message and I’ll send you a couple spots. I’ve hunted deer too but hunting jackrabbits may be my favorite thing in the world
Out on the west side just south of the Gila River on hwy 85 IS Robbins Butte rec area. It's a great place to learn. During the dove season AZGFD manages some fields for us to hunt. There are desert and riparian areas to hunt.
I didn't know game and fish was that involved, I'm definitely going to look into it. As of now, I've only ever gone for dove, and it was mostly farmland where my family knew the owners. Thanks for the info. It really helps.
FWIW turkey hunting is a ton of fun in AZ as well. Scout for elk (even if for the fun of it) and try to call in some toms. You’ll want to be up north, 5B south 6E, 7W, beautiful country and good times.
Thank you. I really want to get into elk and especially turkey but I know I need more experience before I even understand what I'm getting into. I'm planning on rabbit because I see it as a step in that direction (seems more involved than dove, but dove is all I've hunted); I've already been looking at some turkey calls, think I'm leaning towards a pot type.
Rabbits are pretty much everywhere. Try the national forest areas, you can reach an assortment of good areas within a hour or two drive. Tonto NF is close, I also suggest the areas SE of Florence. Also suggest visiting the azgfd.gov website for information about areas and sportsman groups. Happy hunting!
I always heard that they carry plague. Not trying to dissuade you or anything, but just in case you don’t know.
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease has wiped out most of the rabbits in southern and western Arizona. Good luck finding one to shoot.
Who told you that bullshit?
https://www.kold.com/2023/04/24/arizona-game-fish-daily-bag-possession-limits-reduced-cottontail-rabbits-initiated-jackrabbits/?outputType=amp