WEATHER WISDOM
Rabbits react to weather in fairly predictable ways, and it behooves the dedicated hunter to take advantage of these habits. On clear, crisp days, rabbits prefer to bed on south faces, situated so that they get maximum exposure to the sun. Conversely, in inclement weather involving rain, snow or daylong overcast, you're more likely to find them in brushpiles, beneath dense vegetation, down under bank overhangs, or in places like the underside of old buildings or stacks of lumber.

Finally, keep a mental log (or an actual diary, if you prefer) of places in which you seem to find rabbits with some consistency. Whether you're hunting cane-cutters, ridge-runners, or field rabbits, the accumulation of such knowledge will gradually turn you into a better hunter. In short, take the road less traveled when you walk the cottontail trail, for offbeat tactics are often highly productive tactics.

(Editor's Note: Jim Casada is a full-time freelance writer who contributes regularly to regional and national magazines. He is the author or editor of more than 40 books, including several cookbooks featuring recipes for rabbit. To become a subscriber to his free monthly e-newsletter, or to learn more about his work, visit his Web site at www.jimcasadaoutdoors.com.)