Rabbit hunting is a long-time tradition that has been enjoyed over many generations. Many of our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents have probably hit the woods and brush piles trying to kick up a rabbit or two for their supper.
Rabbits are such a great small animal to pursue because they can be enjoyed by folks from any economic background due to their accessibility to everybody. All that's needed is a shotgun, shells, a couple of buddies, maybe a dog or two, and the willingness to get in the thick brush.
Hunting rabbits is a great way to introduce your kids or other young hunters to hunting! Some people have access to rabbit dogs or the knowledge to train such dogs, but if you don't, that's okay too. Either way, it will take a little patience and skill to bring home a game pouch full of cottontails.
Today, we'll share insights into how to hunt rabbits with dogs (or without)!
How to Hunt Rabbits With Dogs
As I said above, you can hunt rabbits with or without dogs, but I prefer to hunt with dogs because that is what I was raised doing. My dad had rabbit dogs his entire life and raised my brother and me with them as well.
The best part about hunting with dogs is that they do all the work! Most of the time, they will jump them up and run them back around to you by trailing their scent, where you can get a shot. If you're hunting rabbits with dogs and jump one, stay close to where you jumped the rabbit because 95% of the time, if everybody is standing still, that rabbit will circle back very close to where it was jumped at.
It is a little slower-paced to hunt rabbits with dogs, but I enjoy it. As a bonus, I believe that you get higher-quality shots that are not as rushed. Plus, you will not have to wade through thick brush nearly as much since the dogs do that for you!
What Type of Dog Is Best for Hunting Rabbits?
The dog that everybody thinks of when you talk about hunting rabbits with dogs is a beagle. Generally, they are considered the best dog breed for the job due to their combination of being the right size, possessing good stamina, a strong sense of smell, and a natural desire to hunt.
Now, these factors will vary with every dog depending on the bloodlines that are bred into them. However, there are other breeds that you can train, like basset hounds, which are much slower than beagles. Harriers, which are usually bigger and faster than beagles, can be good for running larger tracts of ground. You could also possibly train Labs or Spaniels, but this is much less common.
If it were me, I'd stick to buying and training good beagles. My dad and I currently have two beagles, both females named Jill and Po. They are great dogs and so much fun to hunt with.
How Do Dogs Hunt Rabbits?
When a dog picks up a fresh trail, they will track it, barking along the way, and run the rabbit in a large circle. When they pick up a scent, it is best to set up on a trail or woods edge and wait for the rabbit to make it back to the spot where the dogs started.
A rabbit is usually pretty far ahead of the dogs, so when the dogs seem like they are starting to head back your way, that's when you'll want to really be prepared and alert. If possible, I like to stand in front of or next to a larger tree so when the rabbit comes through, your silhouette is broken up and they aren't spooked as quickly by your presence.
What's the Best Way to Train Dogs?
If you are interested in training your own hunting dog, you will want to find a reputable breeder with good genetics and buy a puppy. While they are young, begin getting them used to their name and responding to it so that they are obedient and will come when called.
Timing can vary on when to start introducing rabbit scent, but generally, within four months, they should be introduced to rabbit scent. You can start using scent drags in your backyard to break them in. Make sure to reinforce successful tracks with treats and affection.
How to Rabbit Hunt Without a Dog
If you are hunting without dogs, doing it is pretty simple. If you're with a group of other hunters, just spread out in a straight line and slowly move through the brush or grass fields and jump shoot whatever you flush out.
However, if you are by yourself, it may be more effective to move slowly through the woods or brush, stopping frequently and looking for movement. It makes it a lot easier to know if you are close to where the rabbits are active after fresh snow, so that is a good time to go.
The best habitats to focus on are overgrown fields and fence rows, logged woods with lots of scattered treetops. HuntWise can be a great tool to use for this if you are trying to find places to hunt, but you can't tell from the road if the place will be good or not.
When to Hunt (and the Gear You Need)
The best time to hunt rabbits is early to mid-morning, regardless of whether you are using dogs or just jump shooting.
My two favorite calibers to use when rabbit hunting are a 20-gauge and a .410, using #7.5 shot. But you could go up to #6 and also be very effective.
If you use a 12-gauge, you risk causing too much damage to the rabbit, and the meat isn't good to eat because it's so sliced up and full of lead.
You'll want to wear brush pants or chaps; otherwise, your pants will get ripped up, and your legs will get scratched by lots of thorns. You also need a blaze orange jacket or sweatshirt or some kind so that you are easily visible.
Stay Safe When Hunting Rabbits
Make sure you know what you are shooting at before pulling the trigger, especially when hunting with dogs. The last thing anybody wants to happen is a dog getting shot and killed because somebody thought it was a rabbit coming through the brush.
I like to put bells on my dog's collar so I can always hear where they are. Also, if you are carrying a gun and walking through the brush, double- and triple-check that your safety doesn't accidentally go off.
Additionally, really watch your footing. It's best to take your time going through the brush. Even though rabbits and dogs may move quickly, you're not in a race!
Use HuntWise for Successful Rabbit Hunts
HuntWise is the best tool to use when scouting out hunting spots for rabbits! If you need to figure out who owns a property, you can click on the property in the map feature and see the landowner's name and contact information. You can also scout ahead of time to find brush and other areas that could be the spot where rabbits hide.
I highly encourage everybody to try HuntWise when learning how to hunt rabbits, or to tag out during other seasons! It's ideal for anything you hunt, whether it's small game, deer, turkey, or elk.
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There are more than 30 species of rabbit worldwide, and despite their wide variety of environments, they share many similarities. These social creatures live in large groups called colonies and have no problem populating, as they can reproduce up to ...Read More
What can you hunt when it's not time to hunt deer? Every hunter has a personalized routine that they resort to once deer season comes to a close. Read More
I always write a list the night before a hunting or fishing trip. No matter how many times I've made the same trip, methodically crossing off my essential items with a hot coffee in the morning helps calm the nerves and provide the kind of reassuranc...Read More