Areas for Rabbit in or out of LA Co. for a new, eager hunter.

[Mr. Smalls]

Hello All, I hope you have all been enjoying some good hunting this year, big or small. I am new to hunting. I have been shooting and interested in hunting for a long, long, long time but, I have never had the time to go hunting until this current year. I'm looking for any hints and or clues as to where I might try for rabbits inside or outside of LA co. but hopefully not too far outside . I'm not asking for, nor would I ask for, anyone to give up their "honey holes" or "special areas" but instead just general areas of land that may offer some opportunities. I have done lots of research and mapping but only online, and to be honest, I can't make heads or tails or where one can legally hunt and where one can't. So, any in the field tips or hints or just general info would be greatly appreciated. I have a .22 Marlin and a Rem 870 20ga but I would prefer to use the .22. My shotgun shooting still needs some practice, especially if I'm trying to hit a running cottontail. So outside LA co might be more useful to me. Thank you for allowing me in to this group and I wish you all the best. P.S. this is my first post so if I've done anything wrong or offended anyone in any way, I'm sorry. Thank you again.

 

[TRICER]

Pretty much any and all public land will have rabbits on it. Get ONX maps on your phone and drive out to some public. Rabbits are mostly out the first hour of the morning and basically the last 30 minutes of the evening. You can find them throughout the day as well but they will be more active at first and last light. Good luck and post pictures when you kill them.

 

[Nuevo]

All the good rabbit spots I knew are neighborhoods now

Where in LA are you?

 

[TheGDog]

FYI -

§311.7. Use of Rifles and Pistols in Los Angeles County.
In Los Angeles County the use of rifles or pistols is prohibited in the taking of rabbits.

Change without regulatory effect 8/9/2019.


-=-=-

Like Truduct said. They'll sun themselves a little in the AM to warm back up, and then come out to try and fraternize with each other a lil bit in the PM. The rest of the day, you're not going to see them very much unless you happen to kick them up out of a bush they were tucked-in while you're hiking by.

What you might find helpful is to go out looking for Ground Squirrels to pop with your .22 ... and while you're out and about doing that, make note of where you happen to see Rabbits show themselves for the next time you get back out there.

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

In forest land, look along the edges of sage brush and riparian areas that also hold valley quail. At dawn and dusk the bunnies will sneak out to forage on grass then run back into the brush for daytime cover. Look for where their scat is, then setup over it and snipe them as they come out.

Similar idea in the IV.. look along the edges where ag fields are nearby wildland and ditches. The river bottoms also hold bunnies there.

The high desert has more jacks than bunnies but some areas do have the smaller desert cottontails too.

 

[Mr. Smalls]

Right, thanks Larry. That's why I think going out of LA Co might be best because then I can use my .22. Otherwise, I'll have to try with my 870. And I would love to go Ground Squirrel shooting, I just don't know where... San Bernadino Co has some good areas, I've heard, but I'm not sure where to head to. Truduct, thank you for your info (I'll check out ONX) and reply, the whole question of where one can and cannot hunt/shoot is what I'm having trouble with. This may sound stupid but, what constitutes as "public land"? Can one hunt/shoot on BLM land and National Forests (unless posted)? Or just BLM areas? Thank you for your replies and help.

 

[Mr. Smalls]

Ok, that's great advice. Thank you SurNHunt.

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

This may sound stupid but, what constitutes as "public land"? Can one hunt/shoot on BLM land and National Forests (unless posted)? Or just BLM areas? Thank you for your replies and help.

Public hunting land is mainly National Forest, BLM, and State Wildlife Areas. Keep in mind hunting is different than target shooting, which is outlawed in most areas of our NFs, all of our WAs, and some BLM areas, meaning you can't just roll up anywhere and bust clays or rapid fire your AR.

I'll add to this the Imperial Valley, which is a very hunter friendly place (though things have been turning otherwise lately in some spots). You can scour through the forums to learn about it, but basically down there you can hunt most places if it's not posted, within city limits, or in a row crop field, etc. Read up on the regs then take a drive or a hike.

 

[TheGDog]

Right, thanks Larry. That's why I think going out of LA Co might be best because then I can use my .22. Otherwise, I'll have to try with my 870. And I would love to go Ground Squirrel shooting, I just don't know where... San Bernadino Co has some good areas, I've heard, but I'm not sure where to head to. Truduct, thank you for your info (I'll check out ONX) and reply, the whole question of where one can and cannot hunt/shoot is what I'm having trouble with. This may sound stupid but, what constitutes as "public land"? Can one hunt/shoot on BLM land and National Forests (unless posted)? Or just BLM areas? Thank you for your replies and help.

Send me a direct message with an email address. I can email ya scans I made of the San Gabriel Mtns Firearms Closure Map.

Most of the foothill areas are archery only to avoid some idiot not thinking about the backdrop of his target and launching a projectile down into the cities.

 

[HATCHET1]

Stay on the road..rabbits like the road...i dont shoot rabbits...dont have the heart too...but i hear the road tends to produce many sightings..just make sure you dont shoot them on the road, Mr.greenjeans could cite you for that . Post a grip and grin when you whack him.

 

[Mr. Smalls]

Hey Nuevo, I live in Eastern Pasadena. So I figure I'm about 2-3 hours away, at least, from a "public land" spot where I can take a nice hike with my .22 or 20ga. and maybe bag some game... It's just a matter of which direction I start driving.

 

[Mr. Smalls]

Ok, great, thank you SurfNHunt. I'll keep that in mind while searching the maps online and I'll try to get out to and in as many areas as I can for a good scouting hike. And maybe I'll take along one of my guns. Just in case I find something/somewhere special .

 

[ilovesprig]

Smalls,

Welcome to SCH...You're not that far from the upper desert...Mojave, Ridgecrest, and even Lake Isabella areas have lots of cottontails and jacks too...Also, miles of dirt roads that you can explore...Almost all is BLM...The Mojave Preserve is out there now, but restrictions on hunting are not very prevalent...Find a partner...Makes the hunt cheaper, funner, and 4 eyes see way more stuff than two...Good luck

ps...If you see chukar, please PM me...I'll help you hunt them...

pss...PLEASE...Read the hunting regulations backwards & forwards...Keep them with you at all times.

 

[TrapLine]

Yes you can find a spot close to home but you will see more hikers, cyclist, 4bys, than rabbits. Most of the close public land is usually garbage steep terrain also where you cant step off the road. Its worth it to make a 2-3 hour drive away from the cities. Gas is my number one hunting expense, lots of public land you can have all to yourself.

 

[Driz]

Like others suggested, get onX Hunt maps. You can sign up for a free trial. It will show you every huntable piece of public land out there and so much more.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mr. Smalls]

Thank you all very much for the info. I really appreciate everyone's input. All the best to you out there.

 

[garlicsalt]

We were just at the river and saw rabbits all over the place. go there spend a day or 3. Kill rabbits and then use the guts for catfish bait. Have fun.