Where every hunter starts.
Small game is the beating heart of hunting: rabbits in the briars, squirrels in the nut trees, a slow walk through autumn woods with plenty of action. It asks for little gear, teaches everything that matters, and it's some of the finest eating there is. Here's how it's done.
The quarry
Eastern Cottontail The eastern cottontail is the most widespread and commonly hunted rabbit in North America, and rabbit hunting remains one of the best ways for a beginner to enter the sport. 
Gray Squirrel The eastern gray squirrel is, for countless American hunters, the very first game they ever pursued - and it remains one of the best introductions to hunting available. 
Snowshoe Hare The snowshoe hare is a beloved small-game quarry of the northern forests, offering one of the most accessible and affordable winter hunts in North America. 
Fox Squirrel The fox squirrel is the largest tree squirrel in North America and one of the finest introductory game animals a new hunter can pursue. 
Black-tailed Jackrabbit The black-tailed jackrabbit is not actually a rabbit but a hare - a big, long-eared, open-country runner built for speed across the arid West. 
Woodchuck The woodchuck, also known as the groundhog, is the classic North American varmint - a big burrowing rodent that has taught more shooters the craft of long-range field rifle work than any other animal. 🐇 White-tailed Jackrabbit The white-tailed jackrabbit is a large hare of the northern plains and high sagebrush country, a fast, wide-open small-game target that turns white in winter. 🐇 Swamp Rabbit The swamp rabbit, or "cane-cutter," is the largest cottontail in North America and a classic quarry of southern bottomland hunts, often chased with beagles through flooded timber and canebrakes. 🐇 Desert Cottontail The desert cottontail is the common rabbit of the arid Southwest and Great Basin, a staple small-game target across sagebrush, desert and brushland. 🐇 Antelope Jackrabbit The antelope jackrabbit is the largest hare in North America, a long-eared sprinter of the southern Arizona desert named for the flashing white flanks it shows when it runs. 🐇 Red Squirrel The American red squirrel, or pine squirrel, is a small, feisty tree squirrel of northern and mountain conifer forests, a fast-moving small-game target that tests a quick eye and steady aim. 🐇 Marsh Rabbit The marsh rabbit is a small, dark, water-loving cottontail of the southeastern wetlands, a strong swimmer often hunted along swamp and marsh edges. How it's done
Find a stand of nut trees with fresh cuttings on the ground, sit quietly against a trunk, and wait. Squirrels forget you're there within minutes and go back to feeding - then it's easy.
Walk the thick, brushy edges and briar patches slowly, pausing often - a rabbit's nerve breaks and it bolts. A pack of beagles turns this into the classic running game, circling bunnies back to the gun.
Chewed nuts, nipped twigs, runs through the grass and droppings all tell you where the animals are living and feeding. Hunt the fresh sign, not just likely-looking ground.
Small game is where most hunters (and kids) begin - short seasons, simple gear, plenty of action and a low-pressure way to learn stalking, safety and marksmanship.
Gear that matters
A .22 rimfire rewards a still, careful shot at squirrels; a light 20-gauge suits fast-flushing rabbits. Match choke and shot to the range - see the choke & shot selector.
Beagles for rabbits, and hounds for raccoon at night, transform small-game hunting - see the working gun-dog guide for the breeds that do it.
Small game is a walking, covering-ground hunt. A simple vest for shells and game, comfortable boots and blaze orange are all you need - leave the heavy kit at home.
Go deeper: pick a rabbit or coon dog, dial your choke & shot, check the seasons, and turn the bag into supper with preserving game.
⚠️ A general guide, not law. Small-game seasons, limits and methods vary by state and species - confirm the current, legal details with your wildlife agency, and always know your target and beyond, especially close to homes and roads.