A Jack-Rabbit Drive!

The dust bowl drought of the late 20's and early 30's produced dry land conditions creating a massive migration of hungry jackrabbits that roamed across the prairie grounds eating everything in sight!

Because of the rabbits' ability to reproduce every 32 days, (average offspring of 8), anything that was green and had roots was devoured by the hungry varmints! Farmers became desperate as they were trying to cope with rabbits demolishing their living!

Many tell stories that rabbits even ate bark on the trees and chewed on fence posts.

Farmers/ranchers from around small northeast Colorado communities especially Haxtun and Dailey Colorado, formed "drives" in attempt to control the starving rabbits. Farmers lined the fields, enclosing the rabbits, and blocking their escape routes. Women and children participated by blowing horns and pounding pans together making the necessary noise to scare the rabbits, thus containing them.

Although firearms were prohibited, sometimes it was a necessity, but many communities received outrage as it was thought that they hunted the rabbits for gaming purposes. On most accounts, the remains of the rabbits were likely used for animal feed purposes. During some drives the farmers would stack them along the side of the railroad tracks so they could be shipped to the city of Denver Colorado, in an attempt to feed the poor. Farmers did the best they could in those days to make do in a bad situation. Thankfully, we have better technology and standards today to prevent such events.

Many rabbit hunts or drives were held on the Bar K Ranch, southwest of Haxtun Co. during the late twenties and early thirties. Usually the hunts were held on Sunday afternoons when farmers weren't busy with their farming and ranching duties.

Men, women and children on a rabbit hunt in Dailey Co, 1929.

Piles of rabbits, on a drive, south of Dailey Co,1927

Cars line the farm as they get ready for the hunt! Haxtun, Co. c. 1928-30

Rabbits Galore! From the files in the Overland Trail Museum, Sterling Co, 1928

From the book Homesteading Haxtun on the High Plains by Jean Gray.

As they were hunting the rabbits, many took advantage of coyote hunting! Most likely the pelts were valuable for cash during this difficult time of the dust bowl days!

Taking care of the coyotes as well.

Credit: Wilbur Kipp Collection, Overland Trail Museum, Sterling Colorado, Author Jean Gray: Homesteading Haxtun and the High Plains.