How To Hunt Jackrabbits

Do you want to hunt for jackrabbits? Jackrabbits are elusive and hunting them requires careful stalking and shot placement. Hunting jackrabbits also requires a good level of skill and patience. In this article, we discuss how to hunt jackrabbits to help you be more successful in hunting jackrabbits.

How To Hunt Jackrabbits

1. Scouting

Scouting jackrabbits involves familiarizing oneself with the habitat preferences and behavior of these elusive creatures. Jackrabbits are commonly found in open grasslands, deserts, and agricultural areas, where they feed on grasses, shrubs, and crops.

When scouting, hunters should look for signs of jackrabbit activity such as tracks, droppings, and feeding areas. Early morning and late afternoon are prime times to observe jackrabbits as they are most active during these periods.

Additionally, scouting from a distance using binoculars can help hunters identify potential hunting spots and plan their approach accordingly. Understanding the terrain and typical movement patterns of jackrabbits can greatly improve the chances of a successful jackrabbit hunt.

You can often find jackrabbits in open fields, prairies, or deserts. Look for a high area to set up to glass for jackrabbits. Use binoculars or spotting scopes to search for jackrabbits. Farm fields are one of the hunting areas to glass for jackrabbits. Look at small patches of brush and focus on the bottom of brushes or scrubs. When learning how to hunt jackrabbits, always carefully watch the fields and prairies.

2. Whistling

Whistling can be an effective technique when hunting jackrabbits, as it mimics the sounds of their natural environment and can pique their curiosity or prompt them to move. Hunters often use whistling to attract jackrabbits or to get them to pause momentarily, offering a clear shot opportunity.

By varying the pitch and rhythm of the whistle, hunters can create different sounds that may mimic the calls of potential prey or other animals in distress, which can attract jackrabbits seeking to investigate.

However, it’s important to exercise patience and discretion when whistling, as overdoing it may startle or spook the jackrabbits, causing them to flee instead of approaching. We reviewed the best hunting binoculars on the market today you can read it from this link.

3. Flush Them Out

Walk slowly close by brushy areas and whistle while you walk. Stop about every 30 paces and whistle. A jack rabbit will lift its large ears to the whistling and it could flush them out of the brush. If you have a rifle or shotgun, be prepared to take a shot while the jackrabbit is running in the hunting area. Or just wait for the jackrabbit to stop, then take a good shot.

Don’t run after a jackrabbit. They will continue running if they are being pursued. It is easier to hit a jackrabbit when it has stopped running. You could also flush out jackrabbits by using dogs. The jackrabbits will be scared of the dogs and will cause them to leave the brush. Flushing out jackrabbits is a good strategy to implement with other hunters when you are learning how to hunt jackrabbits.

4. Work The Back Roads

Back roads are prime areas for finding jackrabbits. There isn’t much human activity near back roads and the landscape is usually sparse. Drive the back roads and glass the landscape. Find an area to park, set up, and do more glassing.

Jackrabbits like to lie at the base of cactus and scrub brush while they listen for any danger that may be coming their way. When the sunlight passes through their ears, it gives an amber glow that can be spotted from a good distance.

If you spot this amber glow, look for a landmark to pinpoint the jackrabbit’s location and then stalk, moving slowly and quietly using the vegetation as cover. When you are close to the jackrabbit, take a good shot.

5. Weapon For Jackrabbits

When hunting jackrabbits, hunters typically opt for firearms such as rifles or shotguns. Rifles are preferred for their accuracy and range, allowing hunters to take down jackrabbits from a distance with precision.

Shotguns, on the other hand, offer a wider spread, making them effective at close range or when hunting in thick brush where jackrabbits may be more elusive. The choice between rifles and shotguns often depends on personal preference, as well as the hunting environment and terrain.

Additionally, hunters may also use air rifles or rimfire rifles for smaller game like jackrabbits, especially in areas where firearm restrictions apply, or for quieter hunting methods.

Many different weapons can be used to hunt jackrabbits. Small caliber rifles, shotguns, and airguns are some of the weapons you can use to hunt jackrabbits. The 40-grain .22 long rifle, the 2,500 fps .17 HMR, the 3,000 fps .17 Winchester Super Magnum shotguns, and airguns in .177 and .222 as well as PCPs.

6. Farms

When preparing for a jackrabbit hunting trip, it can be beneficial to reach out to farm owners in the areas you plan to hunt. Farm owners often have valuable insights into jackrabbit activities on their land, as these animals can sometimes cause damage to crops and vegetation.

By speaking with farm owners, hunters can gain information about jackrabbit populations, preferred habitats, and common movement patterns. Additionally, farm owners may grant permission for hunters to access their land, providing opportunities for a successful hunting experience. Building positive relationships with landowners not only enhances the hunting experience but also fosters goodwill within the local community.

7. State Law

Before embarking on a jackrabbit hunting expedition, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with your state’s laws and regulations regarding hunting these animals. Each state has its own set of rules governing hunting seasons, bag limits, permitted hunting methods, and required licenses or permits.

Some states may have specific seasons designated for hunting jackrabbits, while others may allow hunting year-round. Additionally, certain areas may have restrictions on firearm types or hunting on public versus private land.

By understanding and adhering to these regulations, hunters can ensure a safe and legal hunting experience while also contributing to wildlife conservation efforts. You can find your state hunting laws on this website.

Jackrabbit Hunting Tips

1. Look in open fields, prairies, deserts, and wooded forested areas for jackrabbits.

2. Drive on back roads and glass the area for jackrabbits.

3. Look for jackrabbits in small patches of brush and focus on the bottom of brushes or scrubs.

4. Jackrabbits are sensitive to sounds. Whistle to get their attention. They will raise their ears to listen to the sound to determine if it is dangerous.

5. Look for farms near the areas you hunt for jackrabbits. Ask the farmers for permission to hunt jackrabbits on their farms. Jackrabbits are a nuisance to farmers as they eat and destroy their crops.

6. Find high ground in open fields and wooded forested areas to glass for jackrabbits using binoculars, or spotting scopes.

7. When sunlight passes through jackrabbits’ ears it gives an amber glow. When you glass fields and spot this amber glow, find a good spot to take a shot.

8. You can use small caliber rifles, shotguns, and airguns to hunt jackrabbits depending on how you hunt for them.

9. Always get a hunting license before you hunt jackrabbits or any other animal.

10. Know your state laws before you hunt jackrabbits.

The Bottom Line

Hunting jackrabbits is a species of rabbits that includes cottontail rabbits, and snowshoe hares. It is fun and exciting. It requires a good level of skill and patience. They are regarded as a nuisance to many including farmers as they destroy the crops by eating them. In this article, we discuss how to hunt jackrabbits to help you with the information you need to be more successful in hunting jackrabbits.