Snowshoe Hare

[Crickschop04]

Is there anywhere in Minnesota that supports a huntable population of snoeshoe hare???

[catman71]

i have seem them everywhere in the past. they should be turning white right now and with no snow they will be easy to see. i see them where i hunt north of Rice all the time.

[FOOT]

I haven't seen any within the last 10 years but that's more because I'm not looking/hunting for rabbits. BUT, we used to get a few each time we went out South of Rochester toward Leroy.

Far more Cottontails then Jack's or Snowshoe.

[Bubbadust]

I shot 2 of them a couple years ago north of Hinckley while grouse hunting.

[TRITC]

Tons of them in the northern forested part of the state.

[Steve Foss]

TRITC is right. In northeastern and north centra Minnesota, snowshoes are all over the place. Their populations wax and wane on the 10-year cycle, but even in low years there are good numbers of them up here.

Find public land that has that brushy stuff and young reforested saplings they like, and pop away!

[Born on the St Louie 2]

Growing up in Duluth, MN. I had the oppertunity to snare Snowshoe rabbits. They were plentiful in the day,but have not hunted them for quite a few years now. This may be common knowledge for the avid hunters out there, but did you know that if you spot a rabbit in the woods running away at full bore, all you have to do is whistle and It will stop right in it's tracks! Have you all heard of this?

[cashcrews]

I used to snare 'em too, up on the Range. The whistling thing works pretty good too. Another thing about snowshoes, is they run in circles quite a bit. So in other words, if a snowshoe appears to have run away out of sight, just hang in there for a few seconds and it will probably come back thinking it fooled you!

Cashcrews

[89Bronco]

On the Iron Range there are a few of them. Like someone said before, the populations go up and down. I usually don't start hunting them until after deer season is over.

[woodview]

Anywhere in the northern forests seems about right. You'll often find them in the same woods as grouse (young aspen) and especially in areas that have some wood or brush piles. I've also had good luck with them in the pines as well. They'll sit tight on you though and with snow on the ground they're pretty hard to pick out, but you'll also see tracks and have a better idea if you're in the right area. Kicked up a couple today while grouse hunting. They're partway into their winter phase now. Wow, can they move!!! 90% corner at full speed - no problem. Dog was literally crying she wanted to catch it so bad. She likes the birds, but after today I think the hare is where her passion is.

Think you want to wait for a good solid freeze before you eat them though. I seem to remember that they've got some sort of parasite that can be dangerous till then.