Best Time to Hunt Rabbits: Season, Time of Day, Weather
The best time to hunt rabbits is during the cold months of the season, usually late fall through winter, in the first and last hours of daylight. Rabbits feed most at dawn and dusk, and a fresh snow makes tracks easy to follow. Cloudy, calm days after bad weather are often the most productive.
Below is the best time of year, the best time of day, how weather changes rabbit movement, and what to wear for a cold morning in the brush. Browse rabbit hunting shirts and hats in our rabbit hunting collection.
What months are best for rabbit hunting?
HuntWise's field guide says "the best time to hunt rabbits is typically during the winter months from November through February, which coincides with the legal season in most states." It adds that many hunters "wait until the first good snow cover, making it easier to follow their tracks" (HuntWise, Best Times to Hunt Rabbit). Season dates, limits and license rules vary by state, so check your state wildlife agency before you go.
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Early season (fall) | Plenty of rabbits, but thick cover and leaves make them hard to see |
| Mid winter | Cover thins out; rabbits hold tight in brush piles and thickets |
| After a fresh snow | Tracks show where rabbits feed and hide |
| Late season | Fewer, warier rabbits; hunt the thickest cover |
What is the best time of day to hunt rabbits?
Rabbits are most active around dawn and dusk, when they leave cover to feed. Early morning is a favorite, especially after a cold night. During the middle of the day they usually sit tight in cover, which is when hunting with beagles shines: the dogs push rabbits out and the rabbit tends to circle back toward where it was jumped.
How does weather affect rabbit hunting?
- Fresh snow: great for tracking and for spotting brown rabbits against white.
- After a storm: rabbits that held tight during the storm move to feed.
- Very cold, windy days: rabbits stay in thick cover; work brush piles slowly.
- Moon phase: HuntWise notes rabbits are "most active on nights without a full moon," when predators see them less easily.
When should you not hunt rabbits?
Outside your state's legal season, and during hot weather. Many hunters also wait until after a few hard frosts in fall. Check your state agency for season dates and any health advisories for rabbits in your area.
Where to find rabbits
Look for thick ground cover next to food: brush piles, briar patches, fence rows, overgrown field edges and young timber next to clover, grass or crop fields. Droppings and chewed twigs show where rabbits are feeding.
What to wear rabbit hunting
Dress in layers for cold mornings and wear tough pants or brush chaps for briars. Many states require blaze orange for small game hunters; rules vary, so check your state regulations. A camo print hat or hoodie with a beagle or rabbit design is a fun piece for the truck or camp, but it does not replace required blaze orange.
Our rabbit hunting caps (Hat BWB, one size, from $34.99) and the Beagle Chasing the Rabbit hoodie and shirts (from $29.99) can be personalized with your name. For more ideas, see gifts for hunters and youth hunting clothing.
FAQ
Is it better to hunt rabbits in the morning or evening?
Both work because rabbits feed at dawn and dusk. Mornings after a cold night are a common favorite.
Is snow good for rabbit hunting?
Yes. A fresh snow shows tracks and makes rabbits easier to spot.
Do you need a dog to hunt rabbits?
No. You can walk up rabbits by kicking brush piles slowly, but beagles make it easier to jump and track rabbits.
What temperature is best for rabbit hunting?
Cold days after a few hard frosts are popular because cover thins out and rabbits move to feed.
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