Want to start rabbit hunting. I’m all ears

[EatAlltheAnimals]

Hey all, I’m interested in rabbit hunting and am not sure where to start. I’m wondering if there are any good areas on the West side (Renton-based) for rabbits. I’ve got a 12 gauge and some light game loads.

Any tips for locating and hunting them would be appreciated!


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[screedler]

I wanted to hunt rabbits as well.  Have found no success in Thurston county, haven't ever had the access to hunt the prairies on fort Lewis.  That might be a good spot.

Hope you got a beagle, I hear it's pretty hard to bag bunnies without one. 

[Crow]

I have been trying to find them the last two years. Both times I have ventured out to Moses Lake area in Free to Hunt land. Lots os sagebrush, seems to be great habitat for them but have not had any luck yet. Not even sighted them at all.

Last year I did catch a glimpse of a white owl silently flying through the sage and also came up to a deer about 30 feet away from me. Then came to realize I was surrounded by three others as they decided I wasn't a threat and sauntered off. Then a man in a truck shot at them from the road in my direction! *censored* drove off when he realized what he had done.

Anyway, I am still very interested in trying to find these little guys out here.

[Stein]

Walk Centennial trail before daylight with a pellet pistol.  May or may not be legal but I see a half dozen or more every day and I’m not looking for them.


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[KP-Skagit]

The morning after a rain is a good time to go look for them. It brings them out. You can find them most anywhere. Along logging roads on the westside near alders. On the eastside I have found snowshoe hares up high in areas that have decent water year round (springs, creeks).

[Samloffler]

Around moses lake in sage brush, look for old farm dumps. They live under the old cars and tires and tanks and stuff.

[Pnwrider]

In my backyard up the road from you in Newcastle...

[Igottanewknee]

I get it... all ears. Probably can't get away with it, but Lakewood got those things everywhere...

[solomtnhunter]

I think Scatter Creek allows rabbit hunting but that's a ways from Renton.  There's a thread floating around here about guys saying they've had no luck with rabbits out there but others say there is (and even train their dogs out there).  On that note I've got a rabbit that visits my garden everyday. Think one of my neighbors kids shot it with a bb gun though because he's only got 1 eye.  I leave him alone cause feel sorry for him, if he had both eyes i'd be making rabbit stew

[Crow]

I think Scatter Creek allows rabbit hunting

Just looked it up, thanks for the tip! Perhaps I will head out there soon.

[EatAlltheAnimals]

Walk Centennial trail before daylight with a pellet pistol.  May or may not be legal but I see a half dozen or more every day and I’m not looking for them.


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Ha, that’s the problem. The only ones I’ve seen weren’t on legal hunting ground!


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[EatAlltheAnimals]

The morning after a rain is a good time to go look for them. It brings them out. You can find them most anywhere. Along logging roads on the westside near alders. On the eastside I have found snowshoe hares up high in areas that have decent water year round (springs, creeks).

Thanks KP, I’ll have to try after a rain. Plenty of logging roads on the west side.


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[EatAlltheAnimals]

In my backyard up the road from you in Newcastle...

If it’s legal to hunt in your backyard I’ll be there tomorrow.


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[EatAlltheAnimals]

I think Scatter Creek allows rabbit hunting but that's a ways from Renton.  There's a thread floating around here about guys saying they've had no luck with rabbits out there but others say there is (and even train their dogs out there).  On that note I've got a rabbit that visits my garden everyday. Think one of my neighbors kids shot it with a bb gun though because he's only got 1 eye.  I leave him alone cause feel sorry for him, if he had both eyes i'd be making rabbit stew

Only 1.5 hours away? That’s nothing I don’t really expect to find much nearby unless I start seriously knocking on farmers doors. Thanks for the tip I’ll check it out.


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[brokentrail]

I run rabbits with a pack of beagles and for cottontail, it is hard to beat any pheasant release area on the west side.  The cover and brush seems to be perfect for the rabbits and other than on JBLM, it is about all I hunt.  I usually don't hunt elsewhere as I run into too many hares and they just aren't what I'm after, I usually end up looking for dogs more than I am hunting as those hares really move out and cover some ground.

If you own a shotgun and are interested, I'll start rabbit hunting more frequently shortly after late buck season and you could come with me and see if its something you enjoy with the dogs.