rltucci

Wanted to get out and to some hunting but not wanting to head out into the National Forest during rifle season to search for a grouse I took advantage of the short deer season at CF Phelps in Fauquier county and went out to find some rabbits. Area looked perfect for rabbits but after walking all the southern fields and the power line from top to bottom (and back) I still haven't seen the first rabbit there (all this on Sat).
It's not like they are being over hunted, I only saw 2 other guys there beating the same fields coming up with the same thing, NOTHING.
Are there any good public lands with rabbits or do I just need to adjust my goal to tree rats.

Murdy

Coyotes ate them. Rare to see a rabbit outside town by me.

Big Uncle

I was able to jump rabbits and the occasional grouse at CF Phelps a few years ago, but the predators (foxes, etc.) apparently have cleaned them out. Guys in NOVA talk about coyotes (and there are a few around) but the area is absolutely stiff with red foxes.

rltucci

That's what looked like, did see a lot of predator signs (crap) but no predators.

coolbrze0

Phelps sucks for rabbits, too many hunters & predators. We hunted there 7-8 years ago and killed some bunnies, but most run real big due to the high pressure of being run by foxes. You need to find the thickest, nastiest briars/brush you can find to locate rabbits. I doubt many will be in the open fields unless the fields haven't been cut in a few years & are overgrown. If you were there on a Sat. and didn't see any rabbit hunters w/ dogs, you were in the WRONG spot; Phelps gets hit hard, real hard...