Rabbit Hunting
Classic small game for all ages
About Rabbit Hunting
Rabbit hunting is one of America's most accessible and traditional hunting pursuits. With cottontail rabbits abundant across the continent, it offers an excellent introduction to hunting for beginners and endless enjoyment for veterans.
The combination of rabbit hunting and Beagles has been a cherished tradition for generations. Watching dogs work a rabbit through brush, hearing their baying, and anticipating the rabbit's circular return creates an unforgettable hunting experience.
Long seasons, generous bag limits, and proximity to home make rabbit hunting a practical option for hunters seeking action-packed days afield without expensive travel or equipment.
Why Hunt Rabbits
Perfect for Beginners
Accessible hunting that builds fundamental skills
Family Tradition
Great way to introduce young hunters to the sport
Beagle Hunting
The joy of hunting behind dogs adds another dimension
Excellent Table Fare
Wild rabbit is delicious and highly regarded
Cottontail Rabbits
The eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is the most abundant rabbit in North America.
- Size: 14-19 inches total length
- Weight: 1.8-4.4 lbs (average 2.6 lbs)
- Range: Eastern two-thirds of United States, southern Canada
- Habitat: Edge habitats, briar patches, brush piles, fence rows
- Home Range: ~5 acres or less
- Status: IUCN Least Concern, populations increasing
Can reach densities of 2.5+ cottontails per acre in optimal habitat.
Other Species
Several other rabbit and hare species are hunted in North America.
- Snowshoe Hare: 3-4.5 lbs; turns white in winter; boreal forests
- Desert Cottontail: 1.5-2.6 lbs; western US and Mexico
- Black-tailed Jackrabbit: 3-6 lbs; western deserts
- White-tailed Jackrabbit: 5.5-9.5 lbs; largest jackrabbit
- Swamp Rabbit: Larger cottontail; southern swamps
Snowshoe hare populations cycle every 8-11 years.
Behavior Patterns
Understanding rabbit behavior improves hunting success.
- Activity: Most active at dawn and dusk
- Circle Pattern: When pursued, run in loops back to cover
- Freeze Response: Often freeze in shadows when approached
- Cover Dependent: Rarely far from thick cover
- Aerial Awareness: Keenly watch for overhead predators
Circles usually return within 100 yards of where jumped.
Habitat Focus
Find the right cover and you'll find rabbits.
- Briar Patches: Blackberry, multiflora rose thickets
- Brush Piles: Downed timber, slash piles
- Fence Rows: Honeysuckle, wild grape tangles
- Edge Habitat: Where cover meets open feeding areas
- Old Structures: Abandoned barns, junked vehicles, homesteads
Look for overhead protection - rabbits avoid open areas.
Typical Seasons
Rabbit seasons are among the longest and most generous in hunting.
- Typical Season: Fall through late winter (Sept-Feb common)
- Massachusetts: Oct 19 - Feb 28
- Arkansas: Sept 1 - Feb 29
- Pennsylvania: Oct 19 - Feb 28
- Georgia: Mid-November through February
- Arizona: Year-round in some areas
Always check current state regulations before hunting.
Bag Limits
Generous limits reflect healthy rabbit populations.
- Massachusetts: 5 cottontail daily, 10 possession
- Arkansas: 8 daily, 16 possession
- Pennsylvania: 4 daily, 12 possession
- Georgia: 12 daily
- Arizona: 10 daily
- Snowshoe Hare: Often lower limits (2-4 daily typical)
Some states require harvest reporting within 72 hours.
License Requirements
Basic hunting license covers rabbit in most states.
- Basic License: Standard hunting license required
- Hunter Education: Required in most states
- Youth Hunters: Often special reduced-fee options
- No Special Tags: Usually no additional rabbit tags needed
- Small Game License: Some states offer specific small game permits
One of the most affordable hunting opportunities available.
Weapon Restrictions
Regulations vary by state - verify before hunting.
- Shotguns: Generally no larger than #1 birdshot
- Rifles: Many states limit to .22 rimfire maximum
- Arkansas: No rifles/handguns larger than .22 rimfire
- Archery: Legal in most states
- Box Traps: Allowed in some states (Arkansas: up to 8)
Check if .22 rifles are legal in your state for rabbit.
Top Rabbit States
States with excellent rabbit populations and opportunity.
- Texas: Large populations, year-round opportunities
- Ohio: Strong cottontail numbers
- Michigan: Both cottontails and snowshoe hare
- Pennsylvania: Long tradition of rabbit hunting
- Minnesota: Cottontails common throughout
Eastern cottontails found in most eastern and central states.
Youth Seasons
Special opportunities for young hunters.
- Pennsylvania: Junior Season Oct 5-19
- Many States: Offer early youth-only seasons
- Mentored Hunts: Available in most states
- Reduced Bag Limits: Some youth seasons have different limits
- Adult Supervision: Required for most youth hunts
Rabbit hunting is ideal for introducing youth to hunting.
Hunting with Beagles
The classic rabbit hunting method - following dogs through cover.
- The Process: Dogs search cover and flush rabbits
- Baying: Dogs bark continuously while on scent
- The Circle: Rabbits run in loops back toward starting point
- Hunter's Job: Intercept the circling rabbit
- Position: Stay near where rabbit was jumped
Single hound works fine - don't need a pack.
The Circle Pattern
Understanding this behavior is key to success.
- Home Range: Cottontails stay in ~5 acre home range
- Return Path: Usually circle back within 100 yards of jump site
- Pattern: Loops include zig-zags, doubles, pauses, small circles
- Multiple Chances: Often get more than one shot opportunity
- Stay Put: Wait near where rabbit was first flushed
Heavily pressured rabbits may run farther before circling.
Walking Them Up
Effective technique without dogs.
- Zig-Zag Walk: Irregular pattern alarms rabbits, causes flush
- Work Into Wind: Scent and noise carried away from rabbits
- Systematic Approach: Cover brushy areas thoroughly
- Watch for Freeze: Rabbits often hunker down rather than run
- Kick Cover: Stomp brush piles, kick fallen logs
Rabbits rely on burst of speed - can't run long distances.
Reading Cover
Find the right habitat and you'll find rabbits.
- Edge Habitat: Where cover meets feeding areas
- Overhead Protection: Rabbits need shelter from aerial predators
- Near Food: Grass, clover, alfalfa, garden crops nearby
- Structure: Hollow logs, brush piles, old buildings
- Fence Rows: Often productive, easy to work
Good ground cover + food sources = rabbit colonies.
.22 Rifle Hunting
Effective for sitting shots at dawn and dusk.
- When: Early morning or evening when rabbits feed
- Position: Sit at field edge or near cover
- Shot Placement: Head shots ONLY - body shots ruin meat
- Target Size: Cottontail head is ~2-inch target
- Range: .22 LR effective 10-50 yards; .22 WMR to 75-125 yards
Check state regulations - .22 rifles not legal everywhere.
Jump Shooting
Quick reflexes when rabbits burst from cover.
- Be Ready: Gun up when approaching likely cover
- Quick Mount: Rabbits burst fast - no time to think
- Lead: Swing through on crossing shots
- Close Range: Most shots under 30 yards
- Follow-Up: Be ready if you miss first shot
Practice snap shooting at the range for better success.
Shotguns
The 20 gauge is the most popular choice for rabbit hunting.
- 20 Gauge: Ideal balance of weight, recoil, and pattern
- 12 Gauge: More than capable with light game loads
- Weight: Lightweight semi-auto under 6.5 lbs ideal for all-day carry
- Barrel: 26" or 28" common
- Action: Pump or semi-auto for quick follow-ups
Easy to carry through heavy cover is key.
Shot Size & Chokes
Match load and choke to conditions.
- #6 Shot: Most popular across all gauges
- #7.5 Shot: Good for cottontails
- #8 Shot: Thick cover, close shots
- Improved Cylinder: Preferred for close shots in cover
- Modified: For longer shots in open cover
- Skeet: Thick cover to spread pattern fast
Most shots are under 30 yards - open chokes work best.
Swamp Rabbit Loads
Larger swamp rabbits need heavier loads.
- Shell: 3" 1.25 oz loads
- Shot Size: #5 or #4
- Choke: Improved cylinder
- Reason: Bigger, faster, tougher, heavier fur
- Gauge: 12 gauge recommended
Swamp rabbits are significantly larger than cottontails.
.22 Rifles
For sitting shots - head shots only.
- .22 LR: Ideal for 10-50 yard shots
- .22 WMR: Better for 75-125 yards
- .17 HMR: Longer range option
- Scope: Better than iron sights for head shots
- Action: Lightweight bolt-action preferred
Ruger American in .22 WMR is popular choice.
Briar-Proof Clothing
Essential for hunting thick rabbit cover.
- Pants/Chaps: 420-1000 denier nylon mandatory
- Dan's Hunting Gear: Industry leader in briar-proof gear
- Filson Double Tin: Extremely durable (12+ seasons)
- Gamehide: Good value briar pants
- Jacket: Briar-proof game coat for torso protection
Quality briar gear "slides through multifloral rose with ease."
Additional Gear
Other essentials for rabbit hunting.
- Gloves: Latex/nitrile for field dressing (tularemia protection)
- Game Bag: To carry harvested rabbits
- Blaze Orange: Required in many states during firearms seasons
- Boots: Waterproof for wet conditions
- Dog Equipment: Bells, GPS collars if hunting with hounds
Always carry gloves - tularemia is a real risk.
Best Weather
Weather significantly affects rabbit activity.
- Ideal: Overcast days with slight precipitation
- Pre-Storm: Activity increases before severe weather
- Warm Winter Days: Cottontails out loafing in cover
- Light Fog/Drizzle: Rabbits search for food actively
- After First Snow: Tracking becomes much easier
Falling barometric pressure signals rabbits to feed heavily.
Poor Conditions
When to stay home.
- Rapidly Declining Temps: Rabbits hunker down
- Heavy Rain: Poor conditions for hunting
- High Winds: Though rabbits predictably seek shelter
- Extreme Cold: Less activity overall
- Mid-Day: Least active period (though can still jump them)
Strong winds push rabbits to ditches and under shrubs.
Time of Day
Optimize your hunting hours.
- Dawn: Prime feeding time - rabbits very active
- Early Morning: Feed 1-2 hours after sunrise
- Late Afternoon: Activity picks up again
- Dusk: Second prime feeding period
- Mid-Day: Can still jump rabbits from cover
Dogs can find rabbits anytime - they don't care about activity levels.
Beagle Training
Starting a rabbit dog.
- Start Age: 5-8 months for field training
- Scent Introduction: Rabbit-scented toys from 8 weeks
- Obedience First: Recall command is mandatory for safety
- Mentor Dog: Start with experienced dog as teacher
- Solo Time: Also provide independent hunting time
Hunting instinct is bred in - just needs exposure.
Safety Around Dogs
Critical considerations when hunting with hounds.
- Know Location: Always know where dogs are
- Target ID: Identify target and what's beyond
- Recall Training: Must come when called
- Blaze Orange: On hunter and often dog vest/collar
- Communication: Coordinate shots with hunting partners
Never shoot unless you're certain of dog locations.
Scouting
Pre-hunt preparation improves success.
- Locate Cover: Find briar patches, brush piles, fence rows
- Identify Feeding Areas: Clover, alfalfa, garden edges
- Look for Sign: Droppings, trails, nibbled vegetation
- Permission: Secure landowner access in advance
- Snow Tracking: First snow reveals rabbit presence
Farm country with mixed habitat is often productive.
Tularemia Awareness
"Rabbit fever" is a real health concern - take precautions.
- What It Is: Bacterial disease (Francisella tularensis)
- Transmission: Contact with infected tissue/blood
- Prevention: ALWAYS wear gloves when handling/dressing
- Cooking: Thoroughly cook to minimum 165 F
- Warning: Freezing does NOT kill the bacteria
Risk lower after first killing frost (fewer ticks active).
Signs of Sick Rabbit
What to look for when field dressing.
- Spotted Liver: White or yellow spots indicate disease
- Swollen Organs: Dark bluish-red, enlarged liver/spleen
- Slow/Lethargic: Healthy rabbits run fast
- When in Doubt: Discard and don't consume
- Report: Sick rabbits to state wildlife agency
Infected rabbits usually die within days - rarely harvested.
Meat Quality
Wild rabbit is excellent eating.
- Flavor: Darker, richer than domestic rabbit
- Texture: Tougher due to active lifestyle
- Yield: One cottontail feeds 2 people
- Processing: Prevent fur from contacting meat
- Cuts: 2 hindquarters, 2 shoulders, back
Thin hide - fur pulls out easily during skinning.
Cooking Tips
Methods for tender, delicious wild rabbit.
- Buttermilk Soak: Overnight tenderizes mature cottontails
- Loins: Cook hot and fast to 145 F
- Legs/Shoulders: Sear then simmer in liquid ~1 hour
- Braising: Keeps meat moist, breaks down collagen
- Popular Dishes: Fried rabbit, stew, hasenpfeffer, Greek stifado
Don't rush - wild rabbit requires slow cooking for tenderness.
Beginner Tips
Getting started in rabbit hunting.
- Start Simple: Focus on cottontails - most accessible
- Find Edge Habitat: Where cover meets feeding areas
- Hunt with Experience: Learn from veteran rabbit hunters
- Beagles Help: Consider hunting with someone who has dogs
- Wear Briar Gear: Your comfort determines hunt length
Rabbit hunting builds skills that transfer to all hunting.
Common Mistakes
Avoid these beginner errors.
- Wrong Cover: Hunting open areas instead of thick brush
- Giving Up: Leaving jump site instead of waiting for circle
- No Gloves: Always wear gloves when handling rabbits
- Body Shots: Ruins meat - head shots only with .22
- Unprepared: Not wearing briar-proof clothing
Patience at the jump site is key with dogs.
Ready to Hunt Rabbit?
Find hunting locations near you that offer rabbit hunting opportunities.