The American Beagler Forum

Is anyone in Wisconsin seeing many hares or cottontails? What type of cover are you looking for? I have been tromping all over the place and am not having much success seeing any rabbits. At first I thought maybe I am not hitting the right cover but since then I have kicked every brush pile from swamps to pine forests and even some clearcuts without hardly any bunnies. I run at friends house who has tons of rabbits and it usually takes my dog less than 10 minutes to get something going. I say that because at first I was doubting her ability to get a rabbit up. Now I am just thinking that the predators have wiped them out.

Do you find that it is more difficult during various times of the year to get rabbits up? I bought this dog for hunting and to be quite honest I am starting to think I should of got a bird dog. I see a bunch of grouse and pheasant but only a few rabbits.

Any suggestions?

bjacks

Remember that snow shoe hare are cyclic in population. They have been trending lower in the past couple years. they are on a 10 year cycle in general.

good luck
dale

Yeah I have heard that they were in the low part of the cycle. I talked to a DNR person and they said that the havent peaked since the 80's. Though she said there are still hares to be found. I havent really got into hare country much, mostly been trying to find cottontails since they are closer by.

bjacks

Numbers seem about right up here. They will be a little easier to find once the leaves drop and grass dies.

You are more than welcome to come up to the cabin and run some snowshoes with me for a day or weekend this winter

the hare population seems to be good in my area also. if anything it may be on the upswing. in northern wi i think hare hunting is just like the deer hunting. you have to do some leg work and find yourself a few little honey holes. it isn't like they are everywere. you just keep looking until you find them. and then of course, don't shoot um all.