stropp@Mayo.EDU (04/19/91)
>Robert A. Osborne wrote... >When first approaching cottontails, partridge, or ground hogs, they >will either freeze or run (well partridge fly, I've rarely seen them >run). If they freeze and if you walk parallel to them they won't fly >and (see great ascii graphics below...) you'll get a good shot. >(If any 'sportsmen' flame me about not being 'sporting' ...) I agree with your description of game behavior. In my experience, *if* they decide to hold, they will hold until they have a reason to break. This reason is ussually supplied by me in the form of stopping, slowing down, making more or less noise than before or any other form of game induced convulsion. >If you make a good show of looking about with out EVER focusing on or >facing in the direction of the game this usually works pretty well. >Don't try creeping up, this rarely (never for me) works, they KNOW you >are there, you're trying to convince them that their camo works so no >need to run. [great ascii graphics deleted] This too is a good point. In the animal world in general it is considered a challenge for dominance to look in their eyes and an act of submission to look away, preferrably down and to one side with your whole head not just the eyes. Even your dog will do this when you are really pissed at him. You can still see the game in your peripheral vision. If you do look in their eyes, most small game will back down on the challenge and leave rapidly by their favorite means of propulsion, large game might accept the challenge and fight for dominance. In other words it isn't a good idea to try to stare down a bear (ala Davy Crockett) unless the guy with you is a slow runner. The bear doesn't want to eat you in the first place but you are easily capable of pissing him off. (why push it?) Now if the bear is all white it is a different story because he does want to eat you. >This works extremely well for ground hogs (although I get the impression >they aren't fooled so much as curious). I tend to think ground hogs, like cats, frequently let their curiosity overpower their intelligence. This is as much a result of their high curiosity as their low intelligence. >The first time partridge are flushed they almost always fly straight >away from you for 30-60 yards and then land in a tree, most likely a >big evergreen. If flushed a second time they will sometimes repeat >but usually fly a couple of hundred yards. >A cottontail will run away, circle around and come up behind you >(unless there is really good cover nearby) if you flush one (and miss :-) >turn around and walk quietly back the way you came, you'll usually >run right into each other. The grouse around here aren't quite that well trained. Seems like they go for the two hundred yards right away, then turn and continue on. :-( Definitely going to try that with the rabbits. I hope it works here, it sounds like fun. Thanks, John __________________________________________________________________ | John Stropp | 507/255-5471 | | | Cardiovascular Research | stropp@mayo.edu | | | Mayo Clinic | stropp@bru.mayo.edu | | | 200 SW First Street | | | Rochester, MN 55905 | Happiness is a tight group ! | ------------------------------------------------------------------ Comments and opinions expressed here are mine, only.