Jack rabbits in Ontario

Dominion Link said:
Seems from what I've seen, and what most of the folks have said here, that they were plentiful up until the last couple decades. Not sure that our agricultural practices are to blame for the low numbers of jack's in the last 20 years. I'd lean more towards our new, non native, predator as the problem.

Was hoping to hear that there were some healthy populations left somewhere.
Click to expand...

DDT likely had an impact. Also, farms got larger and more uniform, with edge scrub disappearing, as well as hedgerows. Edge scrub and hedgerows were very common when the Jacks were introduced in the early 1900s, but became less so when all farmers cared about were large cash crops.

Also factor in land development from farmers fields to suburbia.
 
I recall in the early 80's in Grey County a fellow telling me some desease in the 50's killed off large numbers thus being the reason we saw so few in the 80's and probably why we see so few now.
 
Yes the "Jack Rabbit" is actually a "European Hare" which was an introduced spieces. Stays brown all year doesn't change to white like the native "Snowshoe rabbit". They say DDT years ago was the start of there demise as when the rabbits ingested the DDT on vegitation they ate it caused sterility. DDT was banned years ago but it has taken many years to work it out of the enviorment. Hence between DDT/agricultural chemicals, human hunting pressure , and now coyotes, Jack Rabbits as we once new them are gone or few and far between.
The last one I shot was behind the house here about 20yrs ago. Weighed in at just under 20Ibs on the bathroom scales before cleaning, the biggest one I ever recall shooting. He is the one I had mounted sporting a small set of deer antlers. My sister-in-law (city girl) to this day still believes that "Jackalopes" are native to Ontario!! and lurking behind my house!!
 
I see a few jacks a week, but there are far more bush bunnies. I find them most active about two hours after sunset.
 
I see a few every winter round these parts while hunting and spot the odd one while driving country roads.

Oddly enough, the area with the most jacks is also packed with yotes and I have yet to find a single jackrabbit kill by yotes. Judging by the numbers of cottontail kills, I think they prefer to target the much easier killed cottontails.
 
There are 3 species of rabbits or hares ( legomorpha ) common to Ontario ... the Eastern Cottontail ( sylvilagus floridanus )
the Snowshoe or Varying Hare ( lepus americanus ) and the "introduced" European Hare or "jackrabbit" ( lepus europaeus ) the latter of which which is a different species of hare altogether from the various species of native north american jackrabbits. Very rare occurrences of the Arctic Hare ( lepus arcticus ) and the White-tailed Jackrabbit ( lepus townsendii ), ( common to southern AB, SK & MB ) have been reported in the far north of Ontario near the Ontario/Manitoba border adjacent to Hudson's Bay and in the Rainy River area of northwestern Ontario, respectively. Both occurrences are considered accidental.

I have hunted all 3 of the common Ontario species and have seen many "western" jackrabbits in my travels in Alberta & Saskatchewan.

Trust this helps to with any east/west confusion. ;)
 
blasted_saber said:
Two completely different animals. The snowshoe (aka varying hare) is native to Canada and is the hare which changes colour in the winter. The Jack (european hare) is not native, and does not change colour.
Click to expand...

We also have white tailed jackrabbits out west, they change color like the snowshoe's do, except their tails stay white in the summer.
 
Last edited:
Mr Link, there are 3 under my neighbours deck, they keep coming into my yard and eating my garden, I was surprised to see them in the burbs where I am but it is nice to see the little buggers coming back.
 
canadian hunter312 said:
Cottontails. There isn't any snowshoe hares around here.
Click to expand...

I have shot snowshoes around Guelph, Orangeville, the Muskokas, Kawarthas and in the Ottawa valley. Haven't hunted brantford specifically, but I bet they are around in their preferred habitat. I personally have only seen cottontails around the cities and towns. Not to say that they aren't in the wilder areas, but I have yet to find any.

I spend a lot of time on snowshoes over the winter small game hunting. I have yet to take a jack aka European Hare but I have found a colony near Arthur Ontario. I know they are jacks due to the crazy large tracks in the snow. I know they were hiding inside alder thickets down deep under the snow. I need a dog!!! I have become borderline obsessed with catching up to a Jack. I have found tracks near Orangeville as well.

The only time I have ever seen one was as a kid outside our kitchen window. It stood up on its hind legs and I could not believe how big it was! I thought I was in a dream.
 
I've got 2 in my freezer. There's at least 4 visible everyday in my field. Every morning there's at least 2 on the front lawn. Dover in Chatham Kent is full of them
 
Pet peeve rant, but there is no such things as the "Muskokas". Its Muskoka! And yes, we have many snowshoes, in fact ive never seen a cottontail or jack around here.

oneskilledshooter said:
I have shot snowshoes around Guelph, Orangeville, the Muskokas, Kawarthas and in the Ottawa valley. Haven't hunted brantford specifically, but I bet they are around in their preferred habitat. I personally have only seen cottontails around the cities and towns. Not to say that they aren't in the wilder areas, but I have yet to find any.

I spend a lot of time on snowshoes over the winter small game hunting. I have yet to take a jack aka European Hare but I have found a colony near Arthur Ontario. I know they are jacks due to the crazy large tracks in the snow. I know they were hiding inside alder thickets down deep under the snow. I need a dog!!! I have become borderline obsessed with catching up to a Jack. I have found tracks near Orangeville as well.

The only time I have ever seen one was as a kid outside our kitchen window. It stood up on its hind legs and I could not believe how big it was! I thought I was in a dream.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom