San Bernardino Rabbit hunting Questions

[Daniel and John]

Hello, my son and I just got our hunting licenses this year and I'm starting us off small with rabbit and dove hunting. We go fishing all the time, but this is our first time hunting. For the life of me I seem to be having a great bit of difficulty trying to find general areas to hunt rabbit and dove. I'm still kinda thrown off by all this BLM vs paid hunting areas and have no clue where to begin. I don't have a lot of money and I'd prefer to find a place me and my boy could walk around for a while looking for what ever we can see and learn about without having to pay too much or anything at all. Could anybody please point me in the right direction?

 

[Baldkrash]

ONX Hunt app is what i use on my phone. Its about $30/year. It shows all of the National Forests and BLM land and private land boundaries. Then you just need to go hiking with a shotgun in those areas until you find a spot you like AND is legal.
Even hiking with a shotgun is a good time, especially with the kids.

 

[Crosman999]

As mentioned a hunting app would be the safest way for you to navigate though BLM areas. I know several areas I've hunted near Phelan Rd. have been good for rabbits/hares and Coyote. The best time is early morning and late afternoon/evening. My best advice after you have found a legal area is to walk very slow...stop every few steps to look around. The key is VERY slow!!! I like to hunt ridgelines myself but if your using a shotgun the lower areas such as washes may be easier. Best of wishes to you and welcome to the forum.

 

[Shot Slinger]

If you are using a shotgun you must use steel shot. I use paper maps that I get from the BLM through a website called PLIC Public Lands Information Center. No yearly fees and no low batteries or cell connections, but that said I am not good with technology. The ONX app sounds like a great tool. I use the paper maps and Google Maps or Google Earth to look for areas that are legal and have cover for the rabbits/doves. Load steel shot of #6 or #7 and you are good if either one pops out, based upon what is open to shoot.

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

It might be a bit far for you coming from the Berdoo, but the Imperial Valley is always a good bet (right now is closed for dove with the exception of Eurasian collared doves, but will reopen in Nov). For bunnies, check out the brush lined canals adjacent to fields, and wildland areas along the New and Alamo Rivers.