Hunting Snowshoe Hares: Best Practices for Consistent Success
Snowshoe hares are iconic small-game animals of the North, living in dense conifer forests, alder tangles, and winter landscapes where their white camouflage and evasive habits challenge even skilled hunters. Their population cycles, heavy cover, and unpredictable movement require smart strategies and slow, deliberate hunting. Whether you’re running beagles, still-hunting through thick spruce, or planning a guided hare hunt through Find A Hunt, these best practices will help you approach snowshoe hare hunting with confidence.
Understanding Snowshoe Hare Behavior
Snowshoe hares rely on camouflage, cover, and explosive bursts of speed to evade predators—including hunters.
Key Behavioral Traits
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Color change: Brown in summer, white in winter (timing varies by region).
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Cover-dependent: Prefer thick conifer regeneration, alder swamps, willow tangles, and blowdown.
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Sit-tight defense: Hares often hold until hunters are nearly on top of them.
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Circular escape pattern: When pushed, they frequently run predictable loops back toward where they were jumped.
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Peak activity: Early morning and late afternoon.
Understanding these habits helps you slow down and anticipate where hares hide and how they escape.
Best Habitats for Snowshoe Hares
Focus on dense, protective habitat with a mix of young growth and evergreen cover.
High-Percentage Zones
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Spruce and fir thickets
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Alder and willow tangles
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Regenerating clearcuts (5–15 years old)
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Swamp edges and low willow basins
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Boreal conifer stands with heavy understory
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Downfall and blowdown areas that create pockets of cover
Fresh tracks and droppings in these areas are strong indicators of hare activity.
Scouting for Snowshoe Hares
What to Look For
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Tracks: Fresh, crisp prints in snow show recent movement.
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Runways: Beaten-down trails under young conifers.
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Droppings: Small pellets often at the base of thick cover.
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Bark browsing: Willow and young sapling tips clipped clean.
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Beds: Packed snow depressions where hares rest.
Snow Conditions Matter
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Fresh powder: Easiest tracking; hares often move more.
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Crusted snow: Hares sit tighter; hunters can move quieter.
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Deep snow: Hares stay close to thick evergreen cover.
Hunting Snowshoe Hares Without Dogs
Many hunters pursue hares by slowly stalking through dense cover.
Still-Hunting Tips
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Move in short steps, stopping frequently to look.
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Scan low—hares hide at ground level.
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Look for ears, eyes, or outlines that break the pattern of snow or brush.
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Use binoculars in open pockets and edges.
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Kick or gently shake dense brush to flush hares.
Best Times
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Early morning after a fresh snowfall
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Warm afternoons when hares feed at edge habitat
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Late-season hunts when hares concentrate in evergreen patches
Hunting Snowshoe Hares With Dogs
Running beagles is one of the most traditional—and effective—methods.
Advantages of Beagles
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Excellent at jumping hares from dense tangles
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Pursue using scent, encouraging hares to run predictable loops
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Allow hunters to position for crossing shots
Dog-Hunting Tips
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Listen to the chase—changes in bark tone signal direction shifts.
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Position hunters 20–40 yards off runways for shots as hares circle.
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Avoid standing directly where the hare was jumped; loops often bypass the original spot.
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Maintain control and communication with your dogs for safety and consistency.
Shooting Snowshoe Hares
Snowshoe hares are fast and erratic once moving, so shot opportunities can be quick.
Best Shotguns & Loads
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20-gauge or 12-gauge
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#6 or #7.5 shot for quick, close-range encounters
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Improved Cylinder choke for forgiving patterns
Rimfire Options
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.22 LR or .17 HMR when still-hunting or taking stationary shots
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Only shoot when a clear, safe background exists
Shooting Tips
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Aim slightly ahead on running hares.
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Never shoot through thick brush—wait for a clear opening.
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Identify your target carefully; hares can blend perfectly into snow.
Weather & Seasonal Factors
Early Winter
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Hares transition from brown to white—easier to detect
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Fresh snow reveals heavily used runways
Mid-Winter
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Best tracking conditions
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Hares often hold tighter during storms
Late Winter
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Hares concentrate in evergreen stands
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Daylight feeding increases as temperatures rise
Summer/Fall
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Hares blend with vegetation—look for movement instead of color
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Focus on regenerating clearcuts and alder patches
Gear for Snowshoe Hare Hunts
Essentials
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Waterproof boots with good traction
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Quiet, durable outerwear
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Blaze orange (check regulations)
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Shotgun or rimfire rifle
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Binoculars
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Game vest with roomy pockets
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Brush gloves and gaiters for alder tangles
Winter Add-ons
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Snowshoes for deep snow
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Hand warmers
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Waterproof gaiters
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Layering system for both warmth and mobility
Field Care & Meat Tips
Snowshoe hare meat is excellent—lean, mild, and perfect for stews or roasts.
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Field dress quickly to cool the carcass.
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Keep meat clean, off snow or dirt.
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Debone or quarter hares on warm days to prevent spoilage.
Why Book a Snowshoe Hare Hunt Through Find A Hunt
Snowshoe hare numbers and movement vary widely depending on habitat cycles and weather. Booking through a trusted guide gives you:
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Access to high-density hare country
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Experienced beagles and dog handlers
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Local knowledge of snow conditions and fresh sign
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Safer navigation through thick or remote terrain
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Options to pair hare hunting with grouse or predator hunts
A guided hunt removes guesswork and maximizes shooting opportunities.
FAQ: Snowshoe Hare Hunting Best Practices
Do hares really circle back when chased?
Yes—snowshoe hares often loop back toward where they were jumped.
Can you hunt snowshoe hares without dogs?
Absolutely. Still-hunting and tracking in fresh snow are both highly effective.
What’s the best time of day to hunt hares?
Early morning and late afternoon, especially after new snow.
Do snow levels affect hare movement?
Yes—deep or crusty snow increases reliance on dense evergreen cover.
What’s the best gun for hare hunting?
A 20-gauge shotgun with #6 or #7.5 shot is the most versatile.
If you want this tailored to your region (Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Alaska, Canada) or to a specific outfitter or hunt style, I can refine it further!
