PASTURE & PRAIRIE
Pasturelands and prairies are where many people think of rabbits living. Rabbits do frequent pastures, but they rarely live in the pasture itself unless the grassy areas are tall enough to provide cover from hawks and eagles. The edges of the pasture, hedgerows or clumps of thickets in soggy bottoms are key to finding rabbits in the daytime, when they are most likely resting. The pasture itself provides food but not cover.

Prairies are slightly different in that the rabbits may be forced to spend more time on the prairie if there is a lack of nearby fencerows or other cover. Regardless, hunters should focus their efforts on cover more than food. Fencerows, thickets or even a clump of trees in or along the pasture or prairie will hold rabbits. It is in these locations that a lone hunter can stalk or still-hunt with a rimfire rifle and clean up. Hunting at dawn and dusk or on cloudy days is best for the one- or two-man approach.

If rabbit dogs are used, the action will be faster paced. Veteran rabbit houndsmen know that putting the dogs near the cover first will initiate the fastest contact. An interesting point to remember about using rabbit dogs is that rabbits will often circle back to where they were jumped when possible. If the dogs are released near a hedgerow and the rabbit takes off into the prairie or pasture, it is very likely that the bunny will soon come bounding back in your direction. Stay put, wait and be ready because when it comes back by, it will likely be moving fast!

AGRICULTURAL FIELDS
Agricultural fields provide a very similar hunting situation to that of pastures and prairies. The rabbits do not often live in the field itself, but do feed in it. Waste grain and green leafy crops are an attractive food source for rabbits. However, they will enjoy the safety of nearby weedy edges, briars, thickets and overgrown fences. Concentrate efforts along the edges of the fields. Pay special attention to the thicker and more overgrown corners and other areas more than the cleaner edges of well-trimmed fields.

Brush country
Brushy country, particularly dry country, provides what is probably the easiest to hunt of all the habitats; in many cases, the hunting can be done without beagles. Smaller species of oak trees are interspersed with other vegetation and sometimes agricultural fields or pastures. The rabbits can be found pretty much anywhere there is some form of cover.

Stalking along with a rimfire rifle or pistol is great fun and an efficient way to hunt. If there is an active agricultural field in the area, focus efforts along the edges and in corners.

While stalking or still-hunting the brush country, wear camo and move slowly, stopping often enough to allow the rabbits to hop out into view. Most of the rabbits in the brush country will be more active in the morning and evening hours, but during the winter, they will move all day. Rabbits will hop from one patch of greenery to another and then feed. Rarely will they stay in the open between two patches of cover very long.

One thing that still-hunters will find is that once a shot is fired, more rabbits are likely to spook and be seen. Hold tight when shooting and keep vigilant for additional shots.

Rabbit hunting in the Southeast is hands down an outstanding way to spend a day. Keep in mind that no matter the habitat type you are hunting, any place where cover and food sources are found together, rabbits will be found, too. Because rabbits are so plentiful, the season is liberal and some states keep it open year 'round. Rabbits are fine eating and provide very memorable hunting memories for both the young and old, so get out that scattergun or your favorite .22 rifle and head to the nearest rabbit cover this month.