Beagles & Cottontails

The Norm

• Cottontails, like all other rabbits, are very territorial. They usually roam a very finite area, which works to the advantage of the beagle hunting party. When a beagle first flushes a cottontail out of its lair, it is not likely the dog will catch the rabbit. However, after the cottontail outpaces the pack of beagles, it will often stop and wait. Beagles, however, do not give up and will shortly catch up to the rabbit. Again, the prey will run until it reaches the boundaries of its territory. At this point, the cottontail will begin its return back to its lair.

Let the Dog Set the Pace

• A common mistake, often borne out of excitement, is for the hunting party to eagerly push the beagle pack into flushing out its prey. However, beagles are best left alone to ferret out the cottontail while the hunting party remains back. Once the beagles have flushed out a cottontail and are on the chase, sit back and let the beagles do what they do best; chase down rabbits.

Positioning

• Because cottontails live in such a defined territory, once a pack of beagles has begun the chase position yoursef near the spot the rabbit was first flushed from. There is a strong chance the animal will return, with the beagles hot on the trail. Securing a spot with a clear sighting will provide for a clean shot and a good opportunity for a successful hunt.

Additional Information

• While certainly not specific to the southern United States, hunting cottontails and other rabbits (as well as squirrels) using beagles remains very popular in the South and Midwest. If you do not have your own trained beagle, you can still experience the thrill of cottontail hunting by taking part in guided hunting tours. Swamp rabbits are also popular targets for beagle hunting parties, and often provide a more challenging target because of their larger territories.