[JMS Ky Kennels]

So tomorrow morning will be my first time hunting in the snow we got 6-9” here in southeastern Ky last night and this morning. I’m excited to hit the field in the AM. Any pointers on where they hide in the snow? How they run? If they move a lot? Any other pointers on running cotton tail in the snow??

 

[Spanky86]

We tend to wait until noon before we start hunting especially in the snow. Rabbits tend to get going better then instead of first thing in the morning. Will be in the thicker cover you have

 

[KyBrushBuster]

Careful tomorrow morning Johnathan. All this snow is gonna freeze up and turn into a crusty mess. Fluffy snow is fun to run in, crusty ice will tear some pads up in a hurry. Like Spanky said what till afternoon if you can. When running in snow I always go in expecting rough broken runs, not always the case but mine usually don't shine in the snow. Rabbits seem to stay close to home and will pull alot of tricks. Good luck! Let us know how it turns out for ya.

 

[Spanky86]

Gotta let some moisture get back in the snow. And yes first snow of the year the rabbits are like people driving in snow for the first time. A little all over of the place when they run

 

[10ACbeagler]

In my experience most if not all the time bad weather hits, the first day of it usually sucks. It's like it shocks the rabbits and not only keeps them buttoned up tight but they don't run as good. Mid-late day runs can be better as the above posts states but I always liked the 2nd day of snow better. Its like the rabbits had their day of not much movement and now regardless of the conditions they have adjusted and cooperate a lot better.

 

[JMS Ky Kennels]

Where gonna give it a shot in the morning. Hopefully it works out good. A lot of people say there easier to spot in the snow.

 

[JMS Ky Kennels]

Tomorrow

In my experience most if not all the time bad weather hits, the first day of it usually sucks. It's like it shocks the rabbits and not only keeps them buttoned up tight but they don't run as good. Mid-late day runs can be better as the above posts states but I always liked the 2nd day of snow better. Its like the rabbits had their day of not much movement and now regardless of the conditions they have adjusted and cooperate a lot better.

Tomorrow will be the second day so hopefully rabbits have laid tight all day today and will be out sun bathing and finding some grub tomorrow.

 

[Foxxy]

Go to your regular spots you have hunted, they might be sitting tight need to stomp on brush, work along creeks, look for them sitting in clumps of grass, next to trees.
Don’t wait for the afternoon get out in the morning look for tracks, the snow has to be frozen for a few days to cause a problem with the dogs pads getting cut. If the snow is soft expect it to fall back into the tracks, if you have to many dogs it can be Cluster trying to run. Might have to only use 1 maybe 2 dogs because of the hard running. Might have short runs do to the snow. If you know of holes go them first and fill in with snow so rabbit has less of an escape route. The rabbits will run nice circle just like on bare ground, your dogs if not use to snow will have hard time running, the rabbits should have the advantage. Might have more checks, or maybe not should be a great experience if you have never run in snow. JMO
Have fun, let us know how you do, Get a video of the hunt.
Good luck!

 

[Grizzly creek beagles]

Love hunting in snow, yes afternoon hunts seem better, sunny days with low winds are better than windy overcast/gloomy day’s the fluffy snow is usually better than crusted snow it holds the scent better. I’ve had some great days running when it first starts snowing it’s like the rabbit’s are really active and usually willing to stay up and play. Probably not the wisest move on my part during this time of year with the predators but I’ve even ran them super early before daylight, kick em out around 4:00 am and had some good run’s

 

[Foxxy]

Where gonna give it a shot in the morning. Hopefully it works out good. A lot of people say there easier to spot in the snow.

They are!

 

[Foxxy]

With 6-9 inches of snow sometimes the rabbits might be hard to jump, especially if they have not established their trails yet. Rabbits don’t like running in wet snow it’s hard on them if it’s deep. They also might stay near holes , jump one short run and they go into a hole. Fill in any holes you know of.
GOOD LUCK
I wish I could go with you to see how it works out. Should be a good time. Bring water for dogs as well!

 

[Culverbeagles]

Just my opinion but I think they hole up for day or two. Then start coming out

 

[Foxxy]

Just my opinion but I think they hole up for day or two. Then start coming out

Depends - sometimes after a fresh snow I have had good running, I hunted one time where it dropped 10 inches of snow our road was snowed in. The wind blowing drifting every where. My brother and I walked over 1/2 mile went to a swamp next to a gravel pit and we ran rabbits all afternoon. We each shot our limit.
would of never known it until we went, it was unbelievable that day.

 

[TJRANGER]

You don’t know if you don’t go! Just saying

 

[Grizzly creek beagles]

You don’t know if you don’t go! Just saying

Amen to that

 

[JMS Ky Kennels]

Trust me I’m going! Lords will! Here it’s like a 1/4” of ice with soft fluffy snow on top of it. I feel like it’s gonna be good! Good lord willing I’d like to get my limit for the first time. Lol

 

[Hoosierhunter]

Run in plenty of snow up here in northwest Indiana. 9 inches is a good bit they will be tight and run smaller circles but it is always a fun hunt. Like shooting fish in a barrel because they are so easy to see but will be a little tougher for the dogs to track. Good luck and have fun!!!

 

[Fredgempurdy]

If its a calm night after snow there will be a lot of feeder tracks if there are a lot of rabbits where you hunt . One rabbit can make a lot of tracks as well. If you have a night where the top layer of the snow freezes and it will thaw out during the day you are further off to do an afternoon hunt . The scenting will be better and it will be easier on the dogs. The nice things are the rabbits are easier to see (unless snowshoes) , a nice day after a big snowfall, the rabbits will be out. They need to eat and don't come out much during a heavy snowfall. Some of the best hunts I have ever had was a sunny day after 2 to 3 inches of snow right when the snow starts to melt . Sometimes the early bird doesn't get the worm . Good dogs will always run, but if you stick to this I find the dogs will run with ease JMO have fun in the snow regardless the conditions its neat to see a rabbit coming on occasion and what they do to try to mess with the dogs only to meet their demise cheers 🍻

 

[Foxxy]

Trust me I’m going! Lords will! Here it’s like a 1/4” of ice with soft fluffy snow on top of it. I feel like it’s gonna be good! Good lord willing I’d like to get my limit for the first time. Lol

Might happen. I hope it does. The rabbits will do their moving at night and early morning then settle in to rest. First rabbit let the dogs run it 2-3 times around then shoot it. Will 2-3 circles where you hunt might and should get other rabbits nervous so they start moving. This way you can run another one because of the commotion from the first run. Good luck!

 

[Foxxy]

Trust me I’m going! Lords will! Here it’s like a 1/4” of ice with soft fluffy snow on top of it. I feel like it’s gonna be good! Good lord willing I’d like to get my limit for the first time. Lol

You’ll see if they gear down and walk the line on the crusty ice snow. Remember you might only be using one or two dogs if it’s tough running.
Had 7 dogs down one time couldn’t run a rabbit if they were tied to it. Picked up 5 dogs and ran rabbits the rest of the day. The true check dog should dig out the line taking their time. A lot of dogs mess up the scent. JMO