How to Hunt Rabbits in the Snow

When rabbit hunting, snow can be a major asset. Rabbits feed constantly during winter months, and fresh snowfall will expose their tracks and show you where they feed and hide. 

Here are some tips on how to hunt rabbits in the snow, including where to find them and the best time to hunt rabbits in winter.

Can You Hunt Rabbits in the Snow?

Hunting rabbits in the snow can be very effective. Snow reveals their tracks, and the colder weather forces them to stay close to dense cover for protection and warmth, increasing your odds for finding them.

Fresh snow (not that stuff that's a few days old and crunchy) will really help quiet your footsteps while hunting. If you plan your hunt after a snowfall, you'll be able to sneak through the woods and fields, and you'll also be able to spot rabbit tracks more easily.

Do Rabbits Come Out in the Snow?

Rabbits will come out in the snow, but only if it is relatively light and they can still feed. Otherwise, they will hunker down, wait out a snowstorm, and return to their feeding patterns after it is over.

You may see increased activity directly after a snowstorm. Look for rabbits when things quiet down, and they're ready to feed again.

How to Track a Rabbit in the Snow

To track a rabbit through the snow, look for fresh, crisp prints. You'll be able to tell the direction the rabbit was heading by the prints: the two small prints in front show the direction of travel.

Try to find fresh tracks if you can. The outline of fresh tracks is crisp, not rounded from melting in the sun or drifting in the wind. By following fresh tracks, you'll be able to find active feeding or resting areas.

Bring binoculars to look ahead for spots where tracks disappear. Other signs to look for include droppings, low gnawed twigs, and freshly dug-up snow.

How to Hunt Rabbits in the Snow

Now that you know how to track rabbit movements, let's talk about the best strategies for hunting them. Learning where they are, when to hunt them, and how to approach your hunts can increase your success when winter rabbit hunting.

Find Their Winter Hideouts

Typically, rabbits will be in or around brush piles, briar thickets, or fallen logs. Other good places to look include hedgerows, overgrown fencerows, and old farm debris, which also provides protection. To find the best hunting spots, consider using mapping apps.

Look for tracks on south-facing slopes. Rabbits will lie there to soak up the limited winter sunlight.

Hunt Right After Snowfall

If possible, hunt the day after a fresh snowfall, when rabbit tracks will be undisturbed. This is also a peak time for rabbit movement and feeding, so keep an eye on changes in the weather forecast.

Rabbits in snow also stick to cover a little tighter, so those will be the most common places to find tracks. Maybe they can tell they don't blend in with the snow on the ground!

Try Partner or Group Tactics

Hopefully, you can get a group of friends or family together to hunt with you. If so, you can either walk together through fields or brush and attempt to jump shoot rabbits, or you can use a push-and-post method. In push-and-post hunting, one member of your group will walk through thick brush while somebody else posts ahead with clear shooting lanes away from others.

As your group moves through a property, your hunting roles can rotate. Make sure you communicate clearly to maintain a high level of safety.

Walk-and-Stop Method

If you end up hunting on your own, consider the walk-and-stop method. In walk-and-stop hunting, you'll take a few steps very slowly, then pause to scan your surroundings.

Stay alert during stops, because rabbits tend to bolt at those moments. Repeat as necessary, moving as slowly as possible.

Play the Wind

You can also use the wind to your advantage. Try to approach the woods or brush from downwind to avoid detection as long as possible.

Rabbits rely on scent, so consider ways to use the wind to stay hidden. You can plan your hunt and play the wind with WindCast.

What Is the Best Time of Day to Hunt Rabbits in the Winter?

Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times for winter rabbit hunting. Like most prey animals, rabbits tend to feed and move more in low light.

You don't have to rush out in the mornings as you would for deer or waterfowl hunting. For the best time to hunt rabbits in winter, consider starting the hunt an hour or so after sunrise. Midday hunts can also be effective, especially after a storm rolls through.

What Gear Do I Need to Hunt Rabbits in the Snow?

If you are going to hunt rabbits in the snow, make sure to dress appropriately with warm, breathable layers. I also recommend a pair of waterproof or water-resistant shoes with good traction. Though I haven't tried snowshoes, you might want to consider them if you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow.

A good pair of gloves and a warm hat are essential parts of your hunting gear. If you can find one, wear a vest or jacket with an attachable or sewn-in game bag to carry the rabbit you harvest.

Your weapon is also a crucial element of how to hunt rabbits in the snow. I use a 20-gauge with #6 or #7 1/2 shot or a .410 shotgun. A 12-gauge with a light shot load will also work, but be careful with the shot, because the odds of ruining the meat are much higher.

Hunt Rabbits All Winter with HuntWise

I hope you can get out and knock down a few rabbits this winter! By considering the best time to hunt rabbits in winter, cold-weather methods for rabbit hunting, snow and track visibility, and other seasonal factors, you'll be well-prepared for a great hunt.

For the best tool to help you find rabbits this winter, download HuntWise. You'll have access to great content, WindCast, and other amazing tools, mapping features with multiple layer options, and discount codes for tons of popular brands. Enjoy your winter, rabbit hunters!

Download HuntWise and use the app to chase rabbits for free during your first week!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We have answers to your questions about how to hunt rabbits in the snow!

Q: Can you hunt rabbits in snow?

A: Yes, you can hunt rabbits in the snow! Snow can actually make rabbit hunting easier because tracks are visible and rabbits tend to follow predictable paths.

Q: How do you track a rabbit in the snow?

A: To track rabbits in the snow, look for small, paired tracks leading between cover and feeding areas. Follow well-used trails near brush piles, fence lines, and field edges.

Q: What is the best time of day to hunt rabbits in the winter?

A: The best time of day to hunt rabbits in the winter is early morning and late afternoon, when rabbits are most active moving between cover and food.

Q: Do rabbits come out when it’s snowing?

A: Yes, rabbits often come out when it's snowing, especially during light or steady snow. Heavy storms may keep them bedded down, but they usually move once conditions ease.