Hunting Disappearing rabbits

[tinkererer]

Just been out for a walk about my permission after work with my 177 hw97 shooting jsb Hades, managed to headshot a rabbit at about 30yrds and it did the usual nerve movements but when I went to retrieve it I couldn't find it and after about half an hour of looking I gave up, it's really annoyed me because I like to eat them. Anyone else had this?

 

[junglie2022]

Just been out for a walk about my permission after work with my 177 hw97 shooting jsb Hades, managed to headshot a rabbit at about 30yrds and it did the usual nerve movements but when I went to retrieve it I couldn't find it and after about half an hour of looking I gave up, it's really annoyed me because I like to eat them. Anyone else had this?

Could have kicked itself down a nearby burrow or a fox got it?

 

[tinkererer]

Im thinking something like that it was in the farmyard next to a load of shite, I have also seen a barn cat that could maybe have got it? Definitely retrieving quarry asap in future regardless of scaring other quarry

 

[junglie2022]

Im thinking something like that it was in the farmyard next to a load of shite, I have also seen a barn cat that could maybe have got it? Definitely retrieving quarry asap in future regardless of scaring other quarry

More likely the culprit ,my aunts farm cats caught lots of bunnies .

 

[tinkererer]

More likely the culprit ,my aunts farm cats caught lots of bunnies .

I was unsure about them taking rabbits to be honest, before I shot the rabbit I got a squirrel In the nearby woods and then threw it out into the field just after I shot the rabbit to be left for the cat, it might have snuck near and nabbed it in the time I was looking away

 

[Bighit]

They can get back down the holes if there is one nearby . I have had them do it or even into bushes never to be seen again .Some that do get down the hole are often found just in the entrance .

 

[tinkererer]

They can get back down the holes if there is one nearby . I have had them do it or even into bushes never to be seen again .Some that do get down the hole are often found just in the entrance .

That's what I was hoping to see when looking but couldn't find anything at all so I think it might have been taken by something or maybe gone down a hole that's hidden by bushes

 

[Bighit]

That's what I was hoping to see when looking but couldn't find anything at all so I think it might have been taken by something or maybe gone down a hole that's hidden by bushes

One area on my local permission is bad for it . There is two fences and the area inbetween if full of bushes and other greenery plus the rabbit holes and the rabbits I shoot often make it back in there and more often that not i don’t find them as the bushes are dense and you cant see the ground but you can see the tracks heading in there at the bottom of the fence .

I tend to left them come out further into the field to try and stop them but it does not always work .

It mostly happens when I have head shot them but not as much with a chest shot with the .22lr. They mostly drop where they are and little to no movement .