There are more than 30 species of rabbit around the world, and despite their wide variety of environments, they have many similarities. These social creatures live in large groups called colonies, and have no problem populating, as they can reproduce up to 5 times a year.
Originally from Europe and Africa, rabbits can now be found in most parts of the world. Rabbits have also been introduced to parts of South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Java.
Variables to Consider When Hunting Rabbits
Location: Finding a rabbit hotspot is fairly simple, being that they live and regularly breed in most parts of the world. To locate a rabbit colony, search for places with good ground cover near areas with plentiful food such as grass, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa, clover, broadleaf weeds or garden crops.
Solunar Calendar: Because rabbits are easy prey for animals like owls, hawks, eagles, falcons, and wild dogs, they tend to be less active during times when the moon is more full providing light for predators to easily spot them.
Time of Year: Rabbit season typically runs from early November to late February. While early season may provide plentiful rabbits, many hunters choose to wait it out until the first good snow cover making it easier to follow their tracks.
Time of Day: Rabbits are the most active at dawn and dusk. The low light just before morning and evening provides them protection from predators as they venture out in search of food. If hunting with dogs, you can likely find rabbits throughout the day.
Temperature: Rabbits, like humans, don't like being cold and wet. Because their fur doesn't serve as a great source of insulation when the temperatures drop below freezing, you can likely find them taking shelter under bushes or in heavily wooded areas.
Barometric Pressure: Rabbit movement tends to parallel that of the whitetail. As the barometric pressure falls rapidly, signaling an oncoming cold front, Rabbit movement decreases with it. However, like whitetails, their activity increases before severe weather, as they frantically search for food and shelter before the storm.
General Weather Conditions: If you are looking for the perfect weather conditions to hunt rabbits, overcast skies and a light fog or drizzle send rabbits wild as they frantically search for food. However, quickly declining temperatures, heavy rains, and high winds will send them scurrying to the safety of their dens.
Wind: Wind can have a dramatic affect on the movement of rabbits. While not ideal for rabbit hunting, strong winds force rabbits to seek shelter in ditches or under shrubs and bushes, making their location more predictable.
Want To Find The Best Hunting Times For Rabbits?
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