Hunting for Cottontail Rabbits in Snow

Hunting Cottontail Rabbits in Snow

Snow transforms cottontail rabbit hunting. Fresh tracks reveal hidden movement, thick cover becomes more strategic, and rabbits sit tighter while relying on brushy, sheltered habitat. Whether you're walking briar edges, pushing brush piles, or running beagles through winter thickets, snow gives hunters a major advantage—if you know how to read it.

If you're interested in guided small-game hunts on private land, you can compare vetted outfitters through Find A Hunt.

Why Snow Helps Rabbit Hunters

Snow makes cottontail behavior more predictable and easier to track.

Key Benefits of Snow

• Fresh tracks highlight feeding and travel routes.

• Contrast makes rabbits easier to spot tucked under brush.

• Quiet ground on soft snow helps still-hunters.

• Thermal pressure pushes rabbits into predictable, sheltered cover.

When temperatures drop, cottontails tighten their home range, favoring dense winter habitat.

Understanding Winter Cottontail Behavior

Cottontails don’t hibernate—they adapt.

Movement Patterns

• More active at dawn and dusk.

• Midday feeding increases after storms.

• Short, tight travel routes to conserve energy.

Winter Habitat Priorities

• Brush piles

• Cedar thickets

• Briar patches

• Edge habitat near heavy cover

• Abandoned farmyards or old fencelines

• South-facing slopes for warmth

• Deadfall and logging slash in timbered areas

If the snow is deep, rabbits stay extremely tight to these shelters.

Scouting Cottontails in Snow

Track Identification

Cottontail tracks are easy to read:

• Two small front prints

• Two larger, side-by-side back prints

• Tight patterns when feeding, longer bounds when moving

What Fresh Sign Looks Like

• Crisp tracks with sharp edges

• Fresh droppings near brush

• Bark chew marks on saplings

• Tunnels under briars or snow-covered brush

• Packed-down “runways” beneath vegetation

Best Scouting Conditions

• Morning after fresh snow

• Calm days following storms

• Late afternoon when rabbits emerge to feed

Still-Hunting and Stalking in Snow

Still-hunting is deadly effective when snow quiets your steps.

Still-Hunting Tips

• Move extremely slowly—5–20 yards at a time.

• Scan brush piles, roots, logs, and rock edges.

• Look for partial outlines: an ear, an eye, or a silhouette.

• Pause frequently and listen—rabbits sometimes shuffle in snow.

• Kick or gently shake thick brush to flush rabbits.

When to Slow Down

• In cedars or conifers where rabbits bed

• Along fence lines and briar tangles

• Any area with lots of fresh track activity

Hunting Cottontails With Dogs in Snow

Beagles shine in winter conditions.

Advantages of Winter Dog Work

• Snow helps dogs follow scent trails more consistently.

• Rabbits tend to run predictable loops.

• Fresh tracks help hunters position ahead of the chase.

Dog-Hunting Tips

• Listen for changes in tone—dogs signal when the rabbit turns.

• Set up 20–40 yards off a well-used runway.

• Avoid standing directly where the rabbit was jumped; loops may bypass it.

• Keep visibility lines open for safe shots.

Running dogs in snow is often the most exciting way to hunt winter cottontails.

Best Spots to Find Rabbits After Snowfall

Early Winter

• Freshly fallen snow reveals high-use areas.

• Rabbits feed heavily in scrub, briar, and young timber.

Mid-Winter

• Look for warm cover: brush piles, cedars, honeysuckle, and multiflora rose.

• Frozen wetlands and swamps open new walking access.

Late Winter

• Rabbits concentrate in the thickest brush—they’ve been pressured and cold.

• Sunny slopes and edges produce mid-afternoon movement.

Shotguns, Rifles & Loads for Snowy Rabbit Hunts

Best Shotguns

• 20-gauge or 12-gauge

• Improved Cylinder choke

• #6 or #7.5 shotshells for close to mid-range jumps

Rimfire Options

• .22 LR for stationary rabbits or careful shots

• Only shoot when you have a clear, safe background

Shooting Tips

• Aim slightly ahead on running rabbits.

• Don’t shoot through thick brush—wait for a clean lane.

• Shots are often 10–30 yards in tight winter cover.

Gear for Snowy Cottontail Hunts

Essential Gear

• Waterproof boots with traction

• Quiet, warm clothing

• Blaze orange (per state regulations)

• Shotgun or rimfire rifle

• Gloves and gaiters for brushy snow

• Small game vest for carrying rabbits

Helpful Add-Ons

• Hand warmers

• Compact binoculars

• Snowshoes for deep snow

• Plastic sled or drag rope for gear transport

• Extra shells—winter hunts often involve lots of flushing

Field Care & Handling in Winter

• Field dress rabbits quickly to cool meat.

• Keep carcasses off the snow to avoid freezing too fast.

• Use a breathable game bag; moisture ruins meat quality.

• Check rabbits for parasites (they're usually harmless when cooked).

Why Book a Cottontail Rabbit Hunt Through Find A Hunt

Guided rabbit hunts offer:

• Access to private land with reliable winter rabbit cover

• Trained beagles with experienced handlers

• Local knowledge of snow patterns and high-density pockets

• Safe shooting setups in thick winter vegetation

• Opportunity to combine rabbit hunting with upland or predator hunts

A guide helps you avoid low-density areas and focus on productive brush.

FAQ: Hunting Cottontails in Snow

Do rabbits move much in deep snow?
They move less but concentrate in predictable, dense cover.

Is snow good for rabbit tracking?
Yes—fresh tracks are the best indicator of immediate activity.

Do dogs run better or worse in winter?
Often better—snow holds scent, and rabbits run tighter circles.

What’s the best choke and shot for winter rabbits?
Improved Cylinder with #6 or #7.5 shot.

Do cottontails change habitat in winter?
They shift to thicker, warmer, wind-protected cover.

If you'd like this tailored to your region (Midwest, Northeast, Appalachia, Pacific Northwest, or the South) or formatted for a specific outfitter’s page, just let me know!