This is a web page will inform you on the habits and characteristics of the eastern cottontail rabbit. This is to help you while you are out on your hunt to increase your chances of getting a kill. Also, to be successful you must know your enemy.

Cottontail rabbits are mainly found in the Northeastern United States. They have burrows in wooded areas and during the day hang out in fields with dense underbrush.

The cottontail rabbit mates by 2 males fighting over a female. Then when there is a winner the male faces the female and then jumps into the air, then the female also jumps and meets the male in the air. Then they mate and the female gives birth to a litter of a maximum of 9 a month later. The female sometimes mates again the same day as the birth. The mating season runs from February to September and they may mate many times in that period.

While hunting rabbits the amount of noise you make doesn't really matter. You hunt them by walking in an open field with very dense underbrush and kick around in the bushes and attempt to "kick them up". It varies from rabbit to rabbit, but they usually take off when you get too close. Most take off and run when you are about 16 feet away, but some won't run until you are almost right on top of them. They run straight away from you, and it is customary while in a group of hunters to yell out "THERE!" when you see a rabbit take off, then you fire. Depending on your shotgun you may only have 1 chance or you may be able reload quickly and fire again at it. If there is no kill, it may be a good idea to check the general area and be sure that it isn't anywhere nearby.