Yesterday, I went on my first rabbit hunt. From 9 a.m. to about 3 p.m. I walked three locations in the Ray Roberts PHL near Tioga. What I did was walk into each area slowly until I identified a pile of dead brush or an area with small game trails and then I would walk circles. I would frequently stop and stand still for 5 minutes or so before moving a little further along.

While I did find a couple of burrows in the ground (one of which that had what looked like rabbit scat near it) I never saw any cottontails.

So I'm wondering if I'm just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Maybe I should have gotten there earlier or stayed later? I have cottontails in my neighborhood and I see them out and about at all times of the day so I figured that would be true elsewhere, but maybe not?

Also, perhaps I'm moving around too much? I tried to be really still during the walks but I may not be as sneaky as I think.

I did see lots of little game trails leading to and from the burrows as well as a couple of larger ones. So I'm sure there's little critters around. They're just really good at hiding.

How do you go about finding cottontails? And how do you stalk them?

Stomp though the brush and scare them out
Then choot em

I hunt small game in that area too and I can tell you it's WORK. I think your best success will be with a partner. The brush up there is SO thick you'll either walk right by the rabbit or it will slip out the opposite side from you and never be seen. A set of beagles would be ideal but not permitted. I look forward to seeing other responses...

This works great.
Having a buddy with can greatly increase your odds. Just make sure you know where each other is at at ALL times.

Also you will find the most between the hours of 5a-9a and 30 min before dark till about midnight.

chesterc: don't get mad, but are you aware rabbits are basically noctural? Right at dawn or dusk is the best time unless you have a dog. For daytime hunting, you really need a dog. That doesn't mean you won't stir up an occasional cottontail, etc but the dog makes a big difference.

Thanks for the info! Next time I'll get out there before sunrise and try to catch them during their morning constitution.

When I was scanning for them I was really more looking for movement rather than a still bunny. I think maybe that's a mistake. Instead I should be trying to spot a bunny that is immobilized ... apparently, looking for their eyes is easier than looking for their body outline.

Well, it's all part of the fun. I can't wait until my next trip!

I'm mostly a deer hunter, I drive in before sun up (still dark) and I'll see rabbits in the headlights bouncing across the road. So right at dawn is a good time. During the day you need to kick up some under brush.
If I was to pursue rabbits full time I'd make friends with someone who has a beagle.

X2. Red or green 150-200 lumen led flashlight makes it easy @ dusk or dawn.

Better yet, just plant some pretty flowers in your flower beds at home, and they'll COME TO YOU for sure!

Just make sure you don't borrow a buddies 22 who dosent tell you it is zeored at 250 yards. Seriously.....Who zeores a 22 at 250 yards!!! End result was 9 shots to make a hit. lol. Any ways, good luck with future outings.