How do you hunt for Varying Hare

I the usually get into the rabbits once there is some decent snow down.Shotguns Definitely do the job but i prefer the clean kill of a .22.I like putting on the snowshoes and workin' cedar swamps, alder swails and logging trails.I find this very effective.Its suprising how easily a winter rabbit can be spotted on fresh snow[black beady eyes and yellow tinge to the fur].I also carry a small set of binoculars for checking further out.i've spotted a few this way.thats where the .22 and small scope come in handy.

I like when there is no snow on the ground in the morning slowly picking my way through thickets or walking old deer trails with a shotgun, or walking the edges of cleacut,hydro line or field in the last hour or so of light with the 17hmr..good scope, can take longer shots and don't have to cut the head off when skinning lol

Pond; How much meat damage do you get using the 17 HMR?

I always take them in the head, and teh result is they are usually either headless or look like harvey two face from the Dark knight lol I would assume that a lot of dammage if i hit them anywhere else, I shot a spruce grouse with it to and hit a bit low and pretty much blew it in half, was kinda lucky tho it left most of the breast and took everything above the wings

I like to get out in Dec before there is too much snow and stalk them with my 22, nothing better then sneaking up on a rabbit that is hiding under an evergreen tree.

Pond & Frosty; why do you prefer a scope? All my Rabbit rimfires were always open sights with one exception. I found it hard to spot a Rabbit then find in the scope again after to fire. Fogging up and water on the lens were other issues of concern.

Maritime Storm said:

Pond & Frosty; why do you prefer a scope? All my Rabbit rimfires were always open sights with one exception. I found it hard to spot a Rabbit then find in the scope again after to fire. Fogging up and water on the lens were other issues of concern.

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The 17hmr i use doesnt have sights so ive got no choice lol plus the scope makes it a lot easier to make a good head shot when walking a clearcut or logging road and i see them 40-50 yrds out, in heavier stuff i just use the shotgun

I find shotguns are more practical then rifles since you can hit em on the run