What am I doing wrong with this bunny!

Rabbits tend to startle easily and are very perceptive of threats (whether intentional or not). Are you hyper or high energy, even when trying to say calm? Do you speak loudly? Do you make sudden movements around him?

Rabbits can be picked up…but they must be picked up properly and with great care.

Your rabbit needs to learn that you are a safe person (if you are). It may take longer but you need to be patient. Sit by him and stroke him calmly if he will let you. If he won’t, then pet him as someone else holds him…making sure he sees you. As he warms up to you (ie: not hopping away when you pet him), you can then learn the proper way to pick him up, hold him and put him down.

Just remember to stay calm, quiet and move slowly/gently around him.

Remember that rabbits are prey animals and are hard-wired for caution.
@Plucky‘s advice is right-on. Gentle and slow is the way to go.
Also avoid facing the rabbit directly, don’t look straight at the rabbit. That’s what predators do when stalking. Try facing with a profile and looking sideways. [ Note that prey animals have their eyes on the sides of their heads while predators have them in front. ... And what do people look like? ]

@dabbler

Note that prey animals have their eyes on the sides of their heads while predators have them in front. ... And what do people look like?

Good point.

@BBawlight

See if you can find a reputable plastic surgeon who will move your eyes to the sides. If that’s not an option, then at at least wear a Bugs Bunny mask. It’s almost Easter anyway! ;-)

I agree, you must be doing something very subtle that you aren’t aware of yourself, that is scaring the bunny off. All animals can feel what your intentions are. If you are loving, calm, pure, and patient, he will come to you. Also there’s the fact that he’s a male bunny, and you are a female. I don’t remember exactly what the reason behind it was, but that also influences his behavior. I had a girl, bunny, long eared, and she liked my ex better then she did me. She bit me sometimes ‘till bleeding, everything. Seek a professional who knows about bunnies. I googled for a while and found a site where you could ask “bunny doctors”, bunny vets, online, for advice about your pet. And they would answer your questions online with extreme accuracy to what the problem actually is and what you can do to solve it.

Good luck!