Mike,
First & foremost, check your game laws to make certain that trapping and translocating rabbits is legal in your state. Some states do not allow it at all, some allow relocation only on private property with permission, etc.
Legality aside, other considerations might include concerns of transmitting diseases between areas, survival & food issues at this time of year, and so on. Just my opinion, but I would guess that your Fish & Game Dept would likely disapprove of the activity.
Sorry for the long 'disclaimer'. I'll try now to reply to your question about cage trapping rabbits. I have cage trapped quite a few cottontails, but have no experience with the snowshoe hare. At this time of year, cottontails are much easier to catch in cage / box traps than in the summer, mainly because there is less food available to them. Baits that have worked well for me in colder weather include dry cob corn, apples
( fresh & salted or dried ), alfalfa cubes, apple flavor horse treats & rock salt. In summer, I use mostly fresh baits such as sliced apple, carrot, celery, cabbage and usually will have an assortment in each cage. Also I have had success by spraying the inside of the cage trap liberally with apple juice and using same as sort of a trailing scent leading into the trap. They are attracted to freshly dug dirt and sometimes, if the situation allows I will disturb the ground under the cage trap as well. I have also caught cottontails on just a cabbage leaf squirted with fox urine. I have used several different sizes of cage traps on rabbits, but would not go smaller than the 7 x 7 size. I seem to have better success if I cover the cage trap - I most often use a burlap bag. If you were considering constucting a wooden box trap, you might find some plans on an internet search, or if you wish I could scan & e-mail you a simple wood design from a WDC handbook - just let me know.
Good luck,
Mike
