Thursday, February 09, 2012
Bill Cochran's Mailbag: Hunting for a book on rabbit hunting
Bill Cochran is a Roanoke Times outdoors columnist.
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- Want more grouse? Get used to hearing chainsaws
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BILL: I came across your article regarding the late Bob Gooch as I was attempting to track down a copy of his book, “The Ultimate Guide to Rabbit Hunting.” I am an inexperienced hunter and haven’t been having much luck. Unfortunately the Gooch book is out of print and seemingly out of stock everywhere. I was wondering if you might know where I could purchase a copy, new or otherwise.
PHIL TUCKER
phil@substatica.com.
PHIL: I have been unable to find a copy of Bob’s book on rabbit hunting. It is out of print and all the used book sources I checked didn’t have a copy. I have posted your email in case a reader might have one for sale.
There are a number of other books on rabbit hunting available from sources like amazon.com. In addition, you can find a bunch of online information on rabbit hunting, including an online magazine: www.rabbithuntingonline.com/magazine.
Sorry I could find you a copy of Bob’s book. One of the best ways to learn about rabbit hunting is go with a group that has beagle hounds. Most groups are willing to let a newcomer tag along, and that is a great deal for you even if you don’t carry a gun.
BILL
BILL: I see where the bill on Sunday hunting failed to even come to a vote in the House Subcommittee. I am very disappointed in this outcome and feel like the “tree huggers” have won again and the vast hunting segment of the population is again being put down.
Those of us in favor of Sunday hunting need to start today with an all-out effort to get Sunday hunting passed next year. The effort was greater this year than it has been, but we need to do even better.
JOHN WRIGHT
Amherst
BILL: Many legislators justify their opposition to Sunday hunting by claiming it is a risk to non hunters. So if Virginia elects to continue its Sunday hunting ban, has it not seriously compromised its ability to defend itself in a wide spectrum of recreational and nonessential activities that can cause property damage, personal injury and even death?
Virginia permits weaponless hound hunting statewide every Sunday, which is defined as chasing. This falls under the legal definition of hunting. So if Virginia bans only firearms hunting on Sunday based on risk, but fails to restrict Sunday hound hunting, could the state be liable when a hound or game that’s being pursued causes an automobile accident? How about when hounds or their quarry chase into a horseshow and cause the horses to charge and injure spectators?
It would seem to reason if you ban one form of hunting, you have a duty to examine all hunting forms and restrict then all on a basis of risk. Since Virginia allows hunting hounds access on Sunday, could that not be exposing every taxpayer in Virginia for costs associated with any damages arising? Virginia could very well be found responsible for many of the deer-car collisions that occur every year, based on the fact that it doesn’t enforce a time when deer hounds have to be collected. And could the same hold true when someone steps into a trap on Sunday? Hunters with weapons may not represent the highest level of risk.
If Virginia restricts hunting on Sunday, but neglects to examine other risks, I fear our attorneys will have a field day with your tax dollars.
TONY RUTHERFORD
