Rabbit Hunting
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This page is meant to be a resource to help you get started hunting rabbits. Season dates, bag limits, and other regulations are subject to change. Please consult the current Illinois DNR Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations for the most up-to-date information. If you’re hunting on public land, refer to your site’s specific regulations, as they vary from site to site.
Getting Started with Rabbit Hunting
We know that starting hunting in Illinois can be intimidating, and as much as we try to host in-person workshops all over the state, we know that not everyone interested in becoming an Illinois hunter can attend. We also know that the rest of this page has a lot of information and that some people prefer video and audio materials, or would prefer to begin with broader overviews before diving into the details. For this reason, we want to highlight our Learn to Hunt materials on rabbit hunting, a few of our favorite podcast episodes on the topic, and our YouTube Playlist that covers everything from hunter etiquette and ethics to webinars to choosing firearm equipment and ammo.
Rabbit Hunting 101 Webinars
Learn to Hunt (Hunting Illinois) Rabbit Hunting Podcast Episodes
Rabbit Hunting Topics
Rabbit Species & Ecology
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.
Rabbit Hunting on Private and Public Land
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.
You must wear at least some blaze orange or blaze pink no matter where you hunt rabbits in Illinois, but the amount of blaze orange or pink you must display varies based on whether you are on public or private land.
See the Hunting and Trapping Digest or Hunt Illinois – Upland & Small Game for details
Learn more about hunting on private and public land in Illinois.
Hunting Ethics & Hunter Etiquette
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.
Any time you hunt with dogs, especially dogs that are not yours, there are special sets of etiquette that vary based on the type of dog you are hunting with (bird dog vs hounds vs rabbit dogs) and the handler’s preferences. We have materials to help guide you through the basics of how to hunt with Upland dogs and understanding jump shooting in the context of rabbit dogs, but remember to always default to the dog’s owner/handler and ask about their expectations before you go out into the field with them.
Hunting Rabbits in Illinois: Seasons, Methods, Permits, and Licenses
To learn more about the requirements for hunting rabbits on public and private land in Illinois, please visit Hunt Illinois or review the current edition of the Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations (they are listed under “Upland & Small Game” for both).
You MUST wear at least some blaze orange or blaze pink no matter where you hunt rabbits in Illinois, but the amount of blaze orange or pink you must display varies based on whether you are on public or private land. See the Hunting and Trapping Digest or Hunt Illinois – Upland & Small Game for details
Before the Shot: Site Selection, Gear, Methods, Strategies, and Dogs
Learn what gear you need and methods for hunting rabbits, ranging from trying it without dogs to learning more about hunting with rabbit dogs!
Ethical Shot Selection
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.
After the Shot: Processing
Good news — rabbits generally don’t require field dressing. They’re small, easy to process, and most people don’t spend all day hunting them, so you can wait until you get home. 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 (not near the parking lot), but you may not leave any other parts (skin, fur, feet, head, bones). Dispose of those parts properly (on-site trash or at home). If you do not, it’s littering.
Rabbit Recipes
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Rabbit Hunting Recommended Resources
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