Sizes of Traps

Some of the common sizes for rabbits are 24"x7"x7" and 24"x8"x8". The main thing in selecting the dimensions of the trap are to make sure it is big enough for the rabbit, but not so large that you catch a lot of different types of unwanted animals. The normal weight for a adult rabbit is usually three pounds or less.
The common size traps for hares (including jackrabbits) are 30"x7"x7" and 30"x9"x11". Since hares, such as jackrabbits, are larger and more frightened of tight enclosed spaces, a larger and more open trap is a must. Some hares such as the White-tailed Jackrabbit can weigh as much as 10 pounds or more. These huge hares will not enter a small, confining trap that they cannot see through.
Types of Bait
Both rabbits and hares are herbivores and eat plant material. Depending on the season of the year, some baits are more effective than others. It is generally harder to trap rabbits during the seasons of the year when green plant life is abundant, but it is not impossible.
Good winter baits include bread, corn on the cob, dried apples, alfalfa, clover, and red fox urine. Successful warm weather baits include fresh vegetables (carrots, lettuce, cabbage, brussel sprouts) and apples. Many Beaglers have found that a few drops of vanilla extract placed inside the trap can be very helpful in masking the human scent and attracting both rabbits and hares. Spraying the inside of the trap with apple cider is also effective.
Opinions vary as to the importance of baits for the wooden box trap. Some prefer using baits while others use no bait at all. Baits may attract opossums and skunks in search of an easy meal. If you are using a wooden box trap, try trapping both with and without bait and see which works best in your area.
Placement of the Traps
Rabbits live in areas where good escape cover is available--in brush piles, briar patches and thick fencerows. They also prefer low-cut bluegrass mixed with clovers and shrubs. In order to catch rabbits, the box trap bust be placed in or along runs or trails made by rabbits using these areas. Rabbits tend to follow the same paths all the time; therefore, the best way to catch them is to place the trap in the pathway. If a double entry model is used, it can be placed in the pathway with or without bait. As the rabbit hopes down the path, it will pass right through the trap and get caught. Another good location for rabbits is to locate the trap in front of a hole into the ground or into a brush pile that you know is being used as a rabbit den. Rabbits that live in holes are already use to entering into tunnel configurations and are easily caught with live cage traps.
Hares, such as Snowshoe Hares and Jackrabbits, are much more difficult to catch. They usually do, but may not necessarily travel on well-marked paths. The best way to find areas that they like to frequent is to look for the piles of scat or droppings that they leave behind. Use a large, wire mesh trap with fresh bait. A bit of the vanilla extract or cider spray inside the trap should help a lot. If the natural food sources are scarce and the hares are present, your chances of catching these large lagomorphs are even better.