What is a challenge when hunting cottontails with a male red-tail hawk?

When hunting cottontails with a male red-tail hawk, the challenge described as "easy to kill but hard to catch" reflects a key aspect of the hunting dynamics between the hawk and the prey. While red-tails are formidable hunters and can be very effective in delivering a lethal strike, cottontails employ a series of quick and erratic movements to escape after being hit. This means that while a red-tail may successfully capture a cottontail, the escaping behavior of the rabbit makes it challenging for the hawk to maintain its grip and secure the catch.

Cottontails often rely on their agility and speed to evade predators, making the process of finishing the hunt more complex than simply catching the prey. In addition, the terrain where cottontails live can offer numerous hiding spots, allowing them to evade capture successfully after they are initially struck. Thus, the assertion that they are "easy to kill but hard to catch" encapsulates the post-capture challenge that falconers often encounter with this particular prey.

The other options present scenarios that do not accurately capture the dynamics between a red-tail hawk and cottontails, where the realities of hunting difficulties and rabbit behavior come into play.