When you're rabbit hunting on foot, without dogs, it makes me a little edgy to hear the word "thrash" involved.

"Stalk" is a better word for what you're trying to accomplish.

Rabbits are prey species at the bottom of the food chain, and they know it. It doesn't matter what animal or thing is making a lot of noise, they know to run from it. You need to be quiet, get up in their area, see them before they see you, or at worst, gently bump them as you walk through so they just run far enough to create space, not run completely to cover. "Thrashing" around is going to send them running without looking back.

One thing that I think is critical for rabbit hunting is scouting. Sometimes an area that you'd think would be great for rabbits just won't have any. If you have actually seen rabbits in an area, then that's where I'd recommend starting.

Are you shooting shotguns or rifles? (or better yet, handgun?)