As I was demonstrating a few outdoor survival ideas to a small group, I noticed an older gentleman in the back who appeared skeptical. Later over a picnic lunch, I coaxed him to share with me how he captured cottontail rabbits. Here is his technique.

close-up of the split stick

To start, find a long, flexible stem, 3 feet or so, and split the small end to make it “fray,” as pictured. With stick in hand, take a hike in “cottontail country,” watching carefully for one to dive down a hole. Jack Rabbits (not truly a rabbit) won’t dive down a hole, so don’t waste time chasing those. The jackrabbit is like eating roasted sandals, anyhow. (Photos 1 and 2 show me doing the stick and the chase.)
Cottontails will ordinarily not go very far down a hole. Then they figure they’re all hidden and safe. Sometimes you can see them, especially with a light or mirror.

Carefully thread your “rabbit stick” down the hole until it gently pokes the rabbit, threading it under the animal if possible. At this point, Murphy’s Law comes into effect, and you find you need a longer stick. Okay, go make one. The rabbit will likely stay there for a little while. (Photo 3). Gently twist the stick until it catches the animal’s fur and makes a couple of wraps. Slowly pull your rabbit out and grab it. Usually the cottontail “freezes,” and you can easily hold it. In a real survival situation, you will kill and eat it, but it’s lots of fun to do a show-and-tell anyway. (Photo 4 and 5).

Okay, go back to your camp and add dressed out animal to your baked yams (roasted yucca root, agave heart, or barrel cactus) and asparagus (Yucca budding stalks) and salad. Then “pig out!”