Hunting wild rabbits is a great way for beginners to start hunting because it requires patience, skill and intelligence to get the job done right. It is important to understand the proper procedures and steps in hunting rabbits to ensure that your hunt is legal, safe and productive. By learning the proper way to get a hunting license, getting all the necessary supplies and equipment, and how to properly organize your hunt, you will help yourself to have a better chance of a successful harvest.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Getting Ready for the Hunt
Step 1. Get a hunting permit
Rabbit hunters need to have a permit from the state where they will hunt. Usually, this permit can be obtained by registering online on the website of the Department of Wildlife, or the Department of Fish and Hunting. In some areas, you may need to pass a hunting safety or firearms safety course or quiz before obtaining a license to hunt rabbits.
Update your permit before each new hunting season to ensure that your permit is updated and valid. In many areas, children under the age of 14 are allowed to hunt without a permit. Look for local clues in your area, if you are a minor you can only hunt with adult supervision
Step 2. Wait until the season is right
Depending on where you live, hunting rabbits may be limited to certain seasons. Usually, the hunting season for rabbits ends in late fall and continues throughout winter, although in some areas, such as California, rabbits can be hunted all year round.
It is also good to know whether or not you are allowed to hunt rabbits in certain areas. Often, hunting for rabbits is illegal in state or national parks, while hunting in certain other areas is permitted. If you're thinking of a hunting ground, make sure it's legal to hunt there the next time you're hunting
Step 3. Learn about hunting bag weight restrictions in your area
Usually, you are not allowed to take more than six rabbits at a time. However, in some places, there are no restrictions on small hunting, including birds, rabbits and other animals. Check the directions in your area to be sure.
Step 4. Learn to identify the rabbit you are going to hunt
There is more than one type of rabbit and not all of them can be hunted. For example, the Mexican Mountain Rabbit, is a highly endangered rabbit breed and should not be hunted, even though it looks like a regular cotton-tailed rabbit. It is important that you learn to properly identify the types of rabbits you are hunting, to keep your hunts legal and safe. In general, these types of rabbits have very large populations, and fall into the "less concern" category of wildlife sanctuaries:
- White or cotton-tailed rabbits are the most commonly hunted rabbit breeds, and there are several types of cotton-tailed rabbits that differ slightly in appearance. For example, the desert cotton-tailed rabbit, has very large ears, while the swamp rabbit has a smaller, pointed face that is more like a rodent than a rabbit. The uniqueness of the cotton-tailed rabbit, however, is its blackish-brown fur and a distinct gray-white tail. When you see a rabbit tail with these characteristics, you can be sure that it is a cotton-tailed rabbit.
- Jackrabbits rabbits are distinguished by their thin ears that stick straight up. Black and white tailed jackrabbits are common in desert areas and are hunted in general. These rabbits have long legs and grow to enormous sizes, making them ideal for hunting in some areas.
Step 5. Use a hunting rifle of the right size and type
Rabbits are usually hunted with hunting rifles, shotguns, pistols, and even arrows. For many hunters, a 22 caliber hunting rifle is very effective for hunting rabbits, but it can be difficult for inexperienced hunters to make a precise shot with a 22 caliber rifle. Rabbits run fast, making a short-barreled rifle with a larger bullet diameter. Small is sometimes the best tool for hunting.
- If you're using a short-barreled rifle, don't go any bigger than 20 in diameter. Rabbits are small, which means that a very powerful weapon is considered overkill.
- Use bullets with a caliber of 6 or 7.5. If you plan to eat your rabbit, make sure that you discard the bullets and only use steel bullets, not lead bullets.
Step 6. Find out if hunting using traps is legal in your area
Historically, rabbits have generally been most hunted using baited traps used to hurt rabbits and keep them in one place for later retrieval. Currently, hunting rabbits with spring traps, or other types of traps is illegal in many areas. In general, hunting rabbits using firearms, not traps.
Catching rabbits with live traps is completely legal on your own property. If you are going to catch a rabbit, use a live trap
Part 2 of 3: Finding the Rabbit
Step 1. Learn what and where rabbits eat in your area
Rabbits live in all kinds of habitats, and can live well and nest in a wide variety of environments. To learn where the best places to find rabbits are in your hunting area, talk to a number of local hunters for information on areas of heavy traffic to make them safe hunting zones. In general, you will often find rabbits nesting in or around the following areas:
- tall grass
- Clover
- Broad leaf tree field
- Soybean, wheat and alfalfa fields
- Gardens
Step 2. Get permission to hunt on someone else's land
Whatever you choose to hunt, you need to make sure you get a permit to hunt so you don't accidentally wander around on private property. Wandering around someone's estate with a gun is a great way to get caught up in strange situations, which means that you need to take special care to avoid these tricky situations. Have the landlord walk around with you so you know your boundaries, or get a detailed map of the area to make sure you don't accidentally wander around the land.
Hunting in state parks and reserves also requires a lot of extra precautions. Hunters who like to shoot must avoid areas with heavy traffic
Step 3. Hunt early in the morning or just as the sun goes down
Wild rabbits are most active in the early morning and at sunset. Like most animals, rabbits eat in low light conditions, when the sun is rising or setting, which means that they are most active during these times. Soft light can sometimes be a challenge in finding rabbits, but you can learn to train your eyes in the right direction to spot rabbits in their habitat.
Step 4. Lead the rabbit out
The most common way of hunting rabbits is to walk around the rabbit slowly and let the sound of your rustling footsteps echo throughout the forest to frighten it. Unlike deer hunting, which requires complete silence, you want the rabbit to be able to hear you. You need to be quiet enough to hear the rabbit move, but there's no need to worry about being completely quiet.
- A good gait is to take 10 even steps, then stop and wait 30 seconds. Look at the ground for what appears to be a rabbit's nest, and look closely for signs of rabbit movement.
- Usually, waiting in silence after walking around and making a fuss is something that frightens rabbits. Be patient.
- When you're hunting with other people, set your pace in tandem so you don't all walk together. Wait until you see your friend pause before you start walking. You can help scare the bunny into running out to your friend.
Step 5. Search for traces
In snow, muddy, or other wet conditions, looking for rabbit tracks can be a great way to find a common area that needs further exploration. If you see a variety of fresh rabbit tracks, double-check the area, or consider following the tracks to see if you can't find a rabbit's nest, known as a "form."
Forms are often built in shallow or recessed areas, then nests are made with grass, leaves, and rabbit fur itself. These nests are not easy to spot, so it is usually more effective to be aware of the rabbit's movements
Step 6. Jump the frog around the place
The increasing number of large fields and other hunting areas that were once inundated with rabbits made it a difficult hunting ground. Some hunters today choose to jump around the field between different areas, moving more quickly to cover a large field, rather than assuming that you will scare off a few rabbits in the location you have chosen. Try and be patient, but also identify areas where there may be too much traffic with climbers or other humans that are also good habitats for rabbits.
Step 7. Look into the rabbit's eyes
Cotton-tailed rabbits and other types of rabbits have excellent camouflage. Seasoned and experienced hunters know how to see a rabbit's eye flash, as opposed to trying to see the whole rabbit. Seeing the rabbit before it sees you can help you prepare and aim your weapon before the rabbit leaves.
Sometimes, black eyes can withstand environmental backdrops, especially when it's snowing. Stay alert for the black glint from the rabbit's eyes
Step 8. Put on the list the help of a good hunting dog
This quadruped hunting companion is great at scaring rabbits away and helping to herd rabbits back at you. Beagles, in particular, are excellent rabbit hunting dogs, making a little noise, howling when they scare a rabbit's nest. If you like dogs, consider using a hunting dog.
Dogs can also be used to track down injured rabbits and collect them. Using dogs in hunting rabbits makes the whole process a bit tiring and a lot easier. A well-trained hunting dog can drastically increase your catch
Part 3 of 3: Safety in Hunting
Step 1. Use proper safety equipment
Whenever you go hunting, you need to be very careful and always make the safety of yourself and everyone in your hunting group your number one priority. Whenever you hunt rabbits, make sure that you bring the following tools:
- Bright orange clothes. Even if you are going to embed some camouflage on your hunting gear, you need to differentiate yourself from the rest of the hunters in your group, and other groups of hunters who also hunt rabbits. Bright orange hats, vests, and other gear are commonly available at sporting goods stores and are essential for any hunting trip.
- Earplugs and safety glasses must be worn every time you shoot. Buy a pair of these pieces of equipment each and use them every time you use a firearm.
- Fully dressed, long-sleeved T-shirts and long pants are great for keeping you protected from the elements such as thorns or other obstacles you may encounter while out in the field.
- Bring plenty of water, some medicine, and first aid kits, especially if you're going out in the field, or are hunting for a few days.
Step 2. Split up with your hunting buddies
When you hunt in a group, you need to be very careful about keeping track of all the members of your hunting group. Accidents in hunting are common, but the right hunting safety equipment and always being vigilant will avoid tragedy on your next hunt. Whenever you are hunting with a group, always remember to follow these instructions:
- Everyone must be at least 15.24 m apart, far enough away to make a safe and accurate shot within the permitted space, but close enough to be able to see each other.
- Communicate effectively. Always keep talking, or signal each other effectively when you're off the field. When you're about to shoot, you'll need to express it by shouting "Mine" or using a number of other signs for the same purpose.
- Never shoot parallel to the ground. The rabbit is on the ground, which means that your gun barrel needs to be pointed downwards at all times. Never fire a gun in the air or parallel to the ground, unless you want to injure someone. Don't do that.
Step 3. Learn to recognize the signs of illness
Unfortunately, rabbits are generally susceptible to bacterial infections and disease, which means that you need to watch out for any outbreaks of disease in the area where you hunt, and learn to recognize signs of rotting meat, especially if you plan to eat rabbits you catch.
Rabbits are infected with Tularemia, a common disease that affects a small population of rabbits, in which the rabbits will act a little strangely. Rabbits appear lazy and act strangely, walk slowly and have slow reactions. This disease is more common in very hot weather
Step 4. Skin your rabbit within a few hours of harvesting
Depending on your situation, environmental conditions, and the number of rabbits you collect, you may want to skin the rabbit immediately, or wait until you return home or camp. In cold weather (about 50 degrees Fahrenheit), the rabbit will be fine for a few hours. Since most of the rabbit season is year-round, it is common to wait for skinning until several hours after harvest.
- To skin a rabbit in the field, you will need a sharp hunting knife and your own two hands. Start by making small cuts around the rabbit's "ankle" bone to remove the leg, then make a small incision right down the rabbit's back. Hold the fur firmly and pull it in the opposite direction, releasing the feathers as if taking off a jacket. The fur should come off easily.
- On the fur that is clustered around the rabbit's neck, you can use your knife to remove the head, or twist it firmly until it comes off and throw it away. Use your knife to make a small incision between the rabbit's groin and ribs, being careful not to puncture the abdominal cavity.
- Hold the rabbit with the feet pointing down and use your fingers to hang the rabbit so that the entrails come out. The entrails should come out easily.
- Wash the rabbit's stomach cavity and dry thoroughly. Once the meat has cooled to room temperature, it should be refrigerated below 50 F as soon as possible. Rabbit meat can be stored for a week.
Step 5. Check with the hunting supervisor if necessary
Depending on where you hunt, you may need to keep some fur or leave the rabbit body intact for inspection before you are allowed to take it home. Make sure you understand the regulations in your area to keep hunting according to established rules.
Tips
- Wear an orange hat and vest when hunting, so you don't get shot by accident.
- Visit a law enforcement center in your area.
- Consider buying a good periscope to attach to a hunting rifle.
- If you are in a group, spread out side by side and communicate effectively so you know where everyone is.
- If you are a minor, stay with an adult.
Warning
- Be sure to wear bright orange clothing so that you are visible to others who might be hunting in the same area.
- Even a 22 caliber weapon at low speed can inflict a fatal wound.
- Tell someone about your agenda and where you plan to hunt.
