Rabbit Hunting

There are two rabbit species in Illinois, and both can be legally hunted — the smaller but more common Eastern Cottontail, and the Swamp Rabbit, which is larger but found only in the southernmost third of the state.

Learn more about these two species, their differences in habitat and ecology, and how to identify food sources and sign (tracks, scat, and other indicators they leave behind) when out scouting.

It is important to check that the site you are interested in hunting allows for rabbit hunting, as not all sites allow for all types of hunting. This is especially true if you plan to hunt rabbits with dogs.

On private land, you still need the proper licenses and permits and must follow state regulations, but you also need to be clear about what type of hunting permission you are requesting from the land owner, as not all land owners are comfortable with all types or methods of hunting.

Learn more about hunting on private and public land in Illinois.

If you plan to hunt rabbits on IDNR sites, don’t forget to review that site’s specific regulations (which can be the same or more restrictive than general Illinois hunting regulations) to check that 1) the site allows rabbit hunting and 2) you understand what that site’s rules are surrounding rabbit hunting. If you have questions, it is always best to contact the site superintendent.

Hunting ethics and etiquette overlap, but aren’t the same. Learn how to be an ethical hunter and observe proper hunting etiquette, especially on public lands.

Please review the current Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations (under “Upland & Small Game”) or visit Hunt Illinois – Upland & Small Game for rabbit hunting regulations and specific requirements.

If you plan to hunt rabbits on IDNR sites, don’t forget to review that site’s specific regulations (which can be the same or more restrictive than general Illinois hunting regulations) to check that 1) the site allows rabbit hunting and 2) you understand what that site’s rules are surrounding rabbit hunting. If you have questions, it is always best to contact the site superintendent.

Learn what gear you need, the different hunting methods available to you, different strategies to try, and more — we will teach you everything you need to know about rabbit hunting before you take the shot.

When hunting rabbits, ethical shot selection is less about placement on the animal itself and more about the distance of the shot you are willing and able to take based on your equipment and abilities to be able to quickly and humanely kill the rabbit, and your awareness of where your fellow hunters/dogs are if you are not hunting alone: remember to be aware of what is behind the rabbit when you take your shot, especially in thick brush!

With all that being said, you generally want to aim for the head whenever possible to preserve as much of the meat as you can.

Good news — rabbits generally don’t require field dressing unless it is an extremely hot day. They’re small, easy to process, and most people don’t spend all day hunting them, so you can wait until you get home without risking bacteria growth and meat spoilage. However, it’s much easier to skin them while they’re still warm.

If you plan to be out for a long time and want to gut in the field, bring resealable plastic bags. Then, gut and skin the meat fully before placing it in the bags and into a cooler with ice packs. A sharp pair of poultry shears makes this process go even more quickly.

If you process animals on public land, you may leave the gut pile (but not near the parking lot), but you may not leave any other parts (skin, fur, feet, head, bones). Dispose of those parts properly (in on-site trash or at home). If you do not, it’s considered littering.

Whenever you choose to do your processing, we recommend the mid-section cleaning method (sometimes called the “shirt and pants” method) for rabbits.