Late Season Rabbit and Hare strategies?

[Cratylus]

Hi there,

I'm rather new to hunting, having just got my license in December, and I was curious what tricks you guys use in the dead of winter when the rabbits just won't flush. I've got a solid hare hound but the number of coyote attacks in my area lately make me more than a little nervous to field him. The season in my area (SW Ontario) is done Feb. 28, but I've got a great place to hunt up North where the season doesn't close until Jun. 15, with no limit on snowshoes and high limits on cottontails and European hare.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Look for tracks in the snow leading in and out of a dense clump of vegetation, such as clumps of juniper or cedar. Often times you can walk up to within a couple yards and see them sitting in there. This is effective for both species. One thing I look for that seems to really stick out is there eyeballs. I have shot hundreds of rabbits/hares that way.

 

[Zeke/PA]

+1 on the eyeball tip.
Snow on the ground is a BIG plus.
I used a K-.22 for years on sitting rabbits.
Rabbits are EXCELLENT table fare.
Zeke

 

[Redfactor]

second that, rabbit is delicious.

 

[Floppy_D]

I'm having a rough time too... all the rabbit hunting I did as a kid was jackrabbit in an open field... it was as tough as spotting a big rabbit in an open field. Now I'm in VA, the fields are smaller, and they hide better. Hopefuly the luck picks up for both of us.

 

[308win]

Ditto here. I went this morning (to a public hunting area). Hunted edge, pines, swales with waist high weeds and briars, weedy fields, brushy fence rows, isolated brush patches, open woods with low undergrowth and piles of toppings, picked corn fields. Walked for about four hours; not one rabbit. Don't know if they have been hunted out; I can't believe I was walking over them but it was windy and snow flurries with a little sleet mixed in.

 

[koja48]

Tried Rogaine for hair, whoops, wrong "hare." I hunt both snowshoes & cottontails, but with a .22 . . . look for a perfectly round, black eye . . . that's how Dad taught me & it still works.

 

[koja48]

Tried Rogaine for hair, whoops, wrong "hare." I hunt both snowshoes & cottontails, but with a .22 . . . look for a perfectly round, black eye . . . that's how Dad taught me & it still works. Ditches with cover (primrose is great!) is a favorite of mine.

 

[LAK]

I have always found that the best way to hunt rabbits was being in the area an hour or so before first light and hunting until the sun was up. Then an hour or so before sunset until it was too dark to see. I have hardly ever seen rabbits out during the day after early morning through until early evening.

If it is legal in your jurisdiction you can spotlight them at night with comparative ease. Not very sporting, but good if your primary purpose is filling the pot.

Another method I have used with great success is to put a well-fed ferret down one of their holes. That always gets them "up and running".

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