Hunting Snowshoe hare: techniques and equipment

Snowshoe hare (along with ruffed grouse) is one of the most popular species for small game hunting in Quebec and Ontario. 

Stalking this small herbivore with a keen sense of hearing does hold its fair share of surprises. It requires observation, patience and a great deal of walking. It is worth the effort, though, because the hunt is exhilarating, and the harvest is enough to tempt even the most discerning palates.

What are the dates for snowshoe hare hunting? What equipment should you bring? Which weapon to choose? How do you hunt hare with or without a dog? What equipment should you bring? Which clothing should you wear? Get ready to learn a lot about hunting this small game!

Small game hunting

Find out more about small game hunting

When is the hare hunting season in Quebec and Ontario?

In Quebec and Ontario, hare hunting is open throughout fall and winter, regardless of your specific destination (outfitter, wildlife reserve, etc.). As always, dates vary from one zone to another. Most zones are open to snowshoe hare hunting from September to March. Check out the Quebec or Ontario government websites to find the exact dates for your chosen zone.
If you think it’s time to try snowshoe hare hunting in 2023, start by getting your small game hunting licence. If you want to use snares, be sure to respect the designated zones and dates.
An important note: the use of a crossbow for snowshoe hare hunting is prohibited in some areas. If this is your weapon of choice, be sure to check the regulations before you leave. In Quebec, the restrictions apply to zones 17, 22, 23 and 24.
For many hunters, the best time to hunt snowshoe hare is from mid-November to mid-December. There are several reasons for this: trees are a little more bare, plants droop to the ground due to frost… and hares are easier to spot before the first snow. Their white colour stands out against the brown and green surroundings.
There is no quota for hare hunting in most Quebec zones, while Ontario has a daily limit of five hares and a possession limit of 15. Worth noting: in the Greater Montréal area (zone 8), there is a limit of 5 hares per day.

Hare hunting: a matter of environment

Snowshoe hares can be found in nearly all areas of Quebec and Ontario. You can hunt them on public land, in ZECs (“zones d’exploitation contrôlées” – controlled harvesting zones), wildlife reserves, provincial parks… Hunting on private grounds is also possible, provided you have the necessary authorization.
As with all species, if you want to hunt this prolific herbivore, you must have a good understanding of its behaviour and preferred environment. Snowshoe hare feeds on buds, herbaceous plants, roots and bark. If you can find signs of browsing, so much the better. If you see a branch with a clean 45° cut, it means a hare has been in the area.
Habitat-wise, you’ll want to aim for young coniferous forests and small “messy” woods… Snowshoe hares thrive where they find good cover and food. Look for young shoots, areas of regrowth, bogs, shrubs… If you spot dead tree trunks or raspberry bushes, great: there’s a good chance you’ll find what you’re looking for. Locating an area with a mix of ground vegetation, grass, and scrub is ideal if you want to bring back something to cook at the end of the day.
Once in the woods, you will have to spot tracks left by your prey. Several “clues” can reveal its presence: droppings (round, brown feces), signs of sleeping or browsing, etc. In winter, keep your eyes peeled for snowshoe hare tracks in the snow. If you study their track patterns carefully, you will likely end up finding them!
If you finally spot a hare, keep in mind that it can react in two ways. Some will freeze, and others will scurry away at supersonic speed. You should also be aware that hares tend to run in wide circles and then eventually return to their starting point. That’s always good to know!

Hare hunting techniques

Hunting hares means trusting your alertness and attention capacity. This type of small game hunting requires a keen sense of observation. Snowshoe hares are clever animals: if you pass by one without seeing it, chances are it will simply stay hidden. On top of that, you also need to be ready to shoot very quickly. When a hare scurries away, it leaves you very little time to react.
There are two main hare hunting techniques: still hunting and drive hunting.

Hare hunting: the still-hunting technique

The still-hunting technique consists of locating and searching an area for signs of animal presence (feces, tracks, browsing, etc.). Hunters study their surroundings and walk through the woods at a slow pace, with their vision focused a few metres ahead. The goal: staying on the lookout at all times.
You can also follow the track networks left in the snow (following the tracks in the right direction), check out potential hiding places (piles of branches, dead trees, small fir trees…), go deeper into the woods to find brush…
If you spot vegetation cover that might appeal to a hare, use your feet to “shake” bushes, move dead wood, and so on. Maybe a hare will pop out!

Hare hunting: the drive hunting technique

Drive hunting is a very good option for this small herbivore. It involves (ideally) at least four people.
But how do you hunt hare, either with or without a dog? It’s pretty simple: hunters stand side by side as if on an imaginary line, keeping a fixed distance between them. This distance can range from a few metres to a good twenty metres.
Once the line is formed, the hunters move forward together at the same pace. The idea is to cause any hares on this trajectory to move. There’s no need to be quiet here: the goal is to get the hares to scurry away so you can fire a shot. The drive hunt (or battue) can cover a large area.
Drive hunting also means paying close attention to your own safety and the safety of others. All participants must keep an eye on the people around them at all times. Every shot must be fired safely. Wearing an orange bib and hat or tuque is essential.

Hare hunting: with or without a dog?

Some hunters hunt snowshoe hares with dogs, more specifically with hounds. These dogs need to be well trained so they keep tracking only hares and not other species. As they track the game, they direct the hunter in the right direction. Hounds are more widely used for hunting furry game: foxes, coyotes, etc.
Beagles are often chosen for this role because of their excellent sense of smell.

So, you learned a few things about hare hunting. Now it’s time for action! Once in the woods, remember to walk slowly and quietly, staying as attentive as possible. Hares run (very) fast and can make very big leaps. Be prepared: you’ll have to be quick if you want to bring one back! We wish you a great 2023-2024 snowshoe hare hunting season!