Hunting for Rabbits with a .22 Rifle: Tips and Techniques

Hunting rabbits with a .22 rifle is a timeless, accessible way to get outdoors, sharpen shooting skills, and put wild meat on the table. A .22 (LR, WMR, or similar rimfire) is quiet-ish, light to carry, and accurate inside the ranges where cottontails, jackrabbits, and snowshoe hares are typically taken. This guide walks you through safe setups, effective stalking and calling tactics, ammunition choices, shot placement, and ethical considerations so your next small-game trip is productive and fun.

If you want to pair your skills with quality small-game or mixed-species guided hunts, check out Find A Hunt for vetted outfitters and local opportunities.

Why the .22 is ideal for rabbit hunting

Light recoil and fast follow-up shots — great for quick transitions when rabbits bolt.
Ammo availability and low cost — lets you practice more.
Sufficient terminal performance inside typical ranges (under 75 yards) when using proper shot placement.
Lightweight gear for long walk-and-glass days.

(Note: in some regions hunters prefer .22 WMR or shotgun for longer-range or windy prairie work—choose what fits your terrain and local rules.)

Know the rules and practice safety first

Check season dates and local regulations (bag limits, legal calibers, public-land rules) before you go.
Wear blaze orange when required or when hunting near other hunters (many areas require it during firearm seasons).
Always treat the gun as loaded: muzzle control, finger off the trigger until ready, know your target and what’s beyond it.
Keep shots at ethical distances — don’t take long, risky shots that may wound instead of kill.
Bring basic first aid and a way to carry a harvested rabbit (game bag/keep-cool bag).

Scouting: where to find rabbits

Field edges & fence lines: rabbits use the transition between crops and brush.
Brush piles, hedgerows, and rock piles: daytime bedding and escape cover.
Riparian edges and ditches: water sources and dense cover.
Weedy fence rows, CRP strips, and overgrown ditch banks: excellent rabbit habitat.
Farmyards and irrigation canals: especially for jackrabbits and bold urban/suburban cottontails.

Use morning and late afternoon glassing to spot animals feeding in open areas and locate travel routes, then set up to intercept.

Best times to hunt rabbits

Early morning (first hour after legal light): rabbits feed before heat of day.
Late afternoon into dusk: prime movement for many species.
Overcast or cool days: rabbits move more than during hot sunlight.
After light rain or during gentle winds: scent carries better and rabbits may push into edges.

Avoid midday heat unless you’re specifically glassing shady travel lanes or watching for evening movements.

Gear checklist for .22 rabbit hunts

.22 rifle (comfortable fit) — bolt-action, semi, or single-shot depending on preference.
Ammunition: quality .22 LR or .22 WMR loads (see ammo notes below).
Small, fast optics — 2–7× or low-power variable scope, or use iron sights for close work.
Binoculars (8–10×) for glassing fields and fence lines.
Lightweight shooting sticks or monopod for steady, quick shots.
Comfortable boots, brush pants, gloves, and layered clothing.
Game bag, knife, and basic cleaning supplies.
Headlamp if hunting legal low-light periods (check regulations).

Ammunition choices & what works best

.22 LR (standard): excellent for close-range rabbit work (under ~50 yards). Choose high-velocity hollow point or round-nose hunting loads that expand or tumble for clean kills.
.22 WMR: better retained energy at longer ranges (50–100 yards) and more effective on bigger cottontails or jackrabbits. Consider WMR if you expect longer prairie shots.
Avoid minimizing terminal performance: low-velocity target rounds may pass through without adequate energy — pick hunting loads, not cheap plinking ammo.

Always pattern and practice with the load you plan to use so you know point of impact and effective range.

Effective shooting positions and tactics

Stay low and move slow: rabbits detect motion more than color. Crawl or use low cover to close distance.
Use natural cover & shadows: hedges, berms, and tall grass allow you to approach within effective range.
Set up on known trails: place yourself downwind and where trails funnel animals (gates, gaps in brush).
Glass first: before moving in, glass likely areas to pinpoint animals and their bedding.
Be ready for sudden flushes: carry rifle pointed in a safe direction with finger off trigger until you need to shoot.
Use shooting sticks or a knee rest for quick, steady shots on flushes or sitting rabbits.

Typical shot ranges: most ethical .22 rabbit shots are 5–75 yards depending on terrain and rifle/load — aim to keep shots inside the effective zone for your chosen cartridge.

Shot placement for quick, ethical kills

Broadside / quartering away (ideal): place shot behind front shoulder where heart/lungs are. A low-center chest shot is the standard.
Head/neck (close range & precision): requires exceptional accuracy; only use if confident.
Avoid spine shots at oblique angles that can produce long trailing wounds — the goal is a swift, humane harvest.

If you miss or wound: wait a few minutes before tracking, then follow blood, feathers/hair, and behavior clues. Mark the last seen location.

Calling, decoys & dog methods

Calling: rabbit calling is uncommon for hunting (calls can be used for predators). Instead, use silence and stealth.
Flush dogs & beagles: traditional rabbit hunts with dogs are extremely effective — dogs locate and force rabbits into the open for quick shots. If hunting with dogs, coordinate shot angles and safety with handlers.
Spot-and-shoot: glassing and stalking from ridgelines is great for jackrabbits on open prairie.

Dogs add sport, cover more ground, and increase encounter rates — but require training and clear communication for safety.

Field dressing and transporting rabbits

Field dress promptly: skin or gut quickly to cool the meat. For rabbits, many hunters skin and clean in the field.
Keep cool: place cleaned rabbits in a game bag in the shade and out of direct heat.
Respect local disposal rules and sanitary practices. For table use, freeze or cool meat as soon as possible.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Overreliance on long shots: know your rifle’s practical limits; practice rapid, accurate shots within that range.
Moving too fast in cover: rabbits bolt on the slightest movement—slow, deliberate steps win.
Wrong ammo: using target rounds will reduce effectiveness; pick hunting loads.
Ignoring wind & scent: approach downwind when possible; rabbits have a strong sense of smell.
Poor shot selection: take only ethical shots with a clear backstop and confident terminal effect.

Ethics, seasons, and conservation

Take only what you need and follow bag limits and laws.
Avoid hunting in protected areas and on private land without permission.
Harvesting rabbits can be part of local population control and provides lean, healthy meat.
Respect nesting birds and other wildlife — rabbit country often overlaps upland bird habitat.

FAQs — quick answers

Q: Is a .22 LR enough for jackrabbits?
A: Yes inside 50 yards with a good hunting load, but for consistent long-range prairie shots consider .22 WMR or a small centerfire if legal and appropriate.

Q: Can I hunt rabbits at night?
A: Night hunting legality varies by state — check local laws. Where legal, thermal or spotlighting has different rules and safety considerations.

Q: How do I make the best shots on a sprinting rabbit?
A: Lead slightly, stay calm, and use a smooth follow-through; practice on running targets to develop instinctive leads.

Q: Are shotguns better than .22 for rabbit?
A: In thick brush or at very close ranges, a shotgun with birdshot is excellent. The .22 shines where precise, quiet, single-shots and longer stalking are preferred.

Q: Do I need a hunting license?
A: Almost always yes—small-game licenses and stamps may be required. Always confirm with state wildlife agencies.

Final thoughts

Rabbit hunting with a .22 rifle is accessible, skill-building, and often family-friendly. It rewards good scouting, patient movement, solid marksmanship, and ethical shot selection. Spend time practicing with your hunting loads, learn the local rabbit habits, and focus on humane, tidy harvests.

If you’d like help turning scouting into on-the-ground success, consider guided small-game or mixed-species hunts — you can find vetted outfitters and book guided trips through Find A Hunt to gain access, local knowledge, and better odds on productive days.