Rabbit Hunting 101

The dreary brown landscape of Ohio in mid-February stretched before me, patches of melting snow turning brown as they became one with the mud and underbrush. My boots crunched in the leaves, my eyes scanning the ground a few yards in front of me. A flash of movement to my left, and I saw a cottontail rabbit dart out of its hiding spot and take off for a pile of fallen trees. I drew my recurve, attempting to make the shot, but the rabbit was too fast. A swing and a miss. Yet now my adrenaline was pumping, and I was determined to pay more attention and redeem myself on the next rabbit.

If you were to talk to a hunter from 50-60 years ago, they all have a rabbit hunting story. Often it entails hunting with their dad, or running beagles, or stumbling around in the woods as a kid just trying to bring home some meat to put on the table. Rabbit hunting years ago was something that pretty much every hunter took part in…. but nowadays it seems to be something that not many people attempt. Small game hunting in general seems to have died off due to “coolness” factor that comes from hunting big game and the grand stories that are sure to follow a successful hunt. However, rabbit hunting comes with its own rewards and is incredibly fun.

One of my favorite things about rabbit hunting is that the season stays open after everything else closes. Instead of holing up inside the house in the dead of winter, I choose to rabbit hunt and I have yet to regret it. If you suffer from seasonal depression during the darkest time of year, I highly recommend rabbit hunting.

No matter what stage of hunting you are in, rabbit hunting has something for everyone. It’s very affordable, as most states don’t require anything except a hunting license. Small game loads for a firearm are fairly cheap, or you can build some cheap arrows with whatever you have. You don’t need special gear, just something warm on the days where the wind cuts right through you. 

Not an early riser? Rabbit hunting is great any time of day. It’s the type of hunting that you can do without rearranging your schedule.  

Have an hour to kill before work? Rabbit hunt.  

Have an hour long lunch break? Rabbit hunt.  

Need to clear your head midday? Rabbit hunt.

It’s good for the soul.

The biggest issue people seem to have with the idea of rabbit hunting, is that rabbits are a small target. And while this is certainly true, they aren’t an impossible quarry. If you look at the habits of a wild cottontail rabbit, they are a creature that is easy to hunt. They don’t often move until the last possible minute, which means if you can spot them first you have a great chance at bagging one. If you bump one out of the brush, they will often stop for a split second before making a mad dash for the nearest cover – this often provides you with the shot that you need. 

Rabbit hunting will help you think on your feet and work on your hand and eye coordination, no matter whether you are hunting with a gun or a bow. It’s a great way to improve your shooting skills. If you do end up getting a shot, chances are that you’ll kill the rabbit. Wild rabbits in particular are very thin skinned and tend to expire quickly.

Many people enjoy rabbit hunting with a dog, and if you have never experience it you are missing out. There is nothing quite like watching a dog work and the sound of a dog baying while hot on a fresh track. If you don’t have a dog, it’s no big deal…I have killed many rabbits simply by walking trails and kicking brush piles. But if you have the opportunity to hunt with beagles I suggest that you take it.

My final argument is that wild rabbit is amazing table fare. While it is very lean, like most wild game is, it has a very mild flavor that pairs well with just about any type of dish or seasoning. Once you learn to cook it correctly, it’s a great option to have in your freezer and one big rabbit can make a hearty meal for 3-4 people. Word to the wise, cook a whole rabbit low an slow in the crockpot or braise it in the oven; if you’d like to take it a step further, pull the meat from the bones after field dressing it and run the meat through a grinder. It works great for a substitute for chicken.

Rabbit season has ended in most states by now, so you have half a year to prepare for next winter when season opens up again.  Find a spot in public land where rabbits are abundant, gather a group of friends (or plan to go solo if that’s your style) and give rabbit hunting a shot.

~ Written by Beka Garris, DSG Outerwear Sponsored Hunt Ambassador