When is rabbit hunting season

No wild turkey may be taken. Feral Swine Trapping Feral swine may be trapped year-round with no bag limits under the following conditions: A hunting or trapping license is required, except for those persons who are license-exempt see License Information.

A feral swine trapping permit is also required, even for those who are license-exempt. This free permit is available at ncwildlife. Only box and corral traps can be used and the permit number must be displayed on all traps. Traps must be constructed so that a non-target animal, such as a bear, can easily escape or be released without harm. All feral swine must be euthanized while in the trap and may not be removed alive from any trap.

Landowner permission is required to trap feral swine. Feral swine trapping is allowed on game lands only with permission from the Commission Opossum: No bag limits Raccoon daily limit 3: No possession or season limits. General Restrictions Field possession limit while hunting is the same as the daily bag limit.

Gray and Red statewide : Oct. Camo patterned blaze clothing is not allowed. Dogs are legal to use for the entire rabbit hunting season statewide Trapping rabbits is illegal. Species Gray squirrel Fox squirrel.

Any shotgun having a capacity of more than 3 shells must be fitted with a one-piece plug that is irremovable without dismantling the shotgun or otherwise altered to render it incapable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined Note : some IDNR sites require non-toxic shot, such as steel Archery Vertical compound bow, traditional bows recurve or longbow or crossbow See the deer or turkey section for details on bow, arrow and arrow point specifications Rifle Varies by site.

Dogs are legal to use the entire squirrel hunting season statewide Trapping squirrels is illegal. Rabbits generally travel in circles, usually counter-clockwise, and will attempt to return to the same spot. Position yourself to cut the circle off. Without a dog: Try hunting with one or more partners— one or two beat the brush while the other watches from a good vantage point for the rabbit to run and for the opportunity to take a shot.

Also try hunting in snow—look for tracks to identify high-use areas or follow fresh tracks. Or, quietly still-hunt and look for rabbits before they bolt. This method is challenging, but a rabbit holding still can offer the opportunity for a clean shot with a. Rabbits can harm crops so you may find a landowner willing to grant you access; remember you must ask permission to hunt on private land.

Find cottontails in rimrock and boulder areas in sage-brush country. Jackrabbits are more often found in sage-brush and greasewood flats. Western Oregon: Rabbits like thick cover Himalayan blackberry, snowberry, wild rose bushes and forage mowed grass, legumes. Look for areas that have these two in close proximity. The edges of working farmland are often good spots to work in the spring; mowed crops and grasses will provide the fresh green-up rabbits like.

Sometimes rabbits and hares can also be found on national forest and BLM lands in western Oregon. Hunters can pursue three species of rabbit and two species of hare in Oregon: brush rabbit westside Ore. Due to their low abundance, the white-tailed jackrabbit eastern Ore. The white-tailed jackrabbit can be identified by its entirely white tail; it tends to live in grassland habitat. The pygmy rabbit is small it usually weighs less than a pound , appears to lack a tail or has a uniform colored tail usually buffy brown and lacks the white undertail of most other rabbits.

Shotguns are often used for rabbit and hare hunting because one rarely sees the animal before it is off and running. Open chokes, such as improved cylinder, are good choices in the brushy areas where rabbits and hares are often found.

Any shotgun can be used; the most popular choices are 12 and 20 gauge with open chokes, and 6- 8 shot in lead, or 4- 6 in steel. The shooting distance will depend on your choice of weapon and shot, but generally do not take a shot beyond 35 yards. Marksman can use a. When using a rifle, aim for the head so as not to spoil the meat. Rabbit is truly great table fare if handled properly in the field. Field dress e. This will help keep the meat safe and is easier to do before the animal gets cold.

Also, remember to keep the rabbit clean. Use a clean knife and wear latex or rubber gloves. Be sure to thoroughly cook your rabbit to at least degrees F; use a meat thermometer to ensure the inside of the meat reaches that temperature. This is important to kill any bacteria still in the meat.

Some people dip the carcass in boiling water before cooking it. Rabbit fever, or tularemia, is not commonly seen in Oregon, but it does occur in rabbits and rodents. It can be spread from infected animals to people through tick bites, handling of infected animals, eating or drinking infected material, and even through inhalation.

If you even suspect you see white, yellow or any other liver spotting, place the animal in a plastic bag, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer, and contact an ODFW office.

State veterinarians will run tests on the liver to determine if the animal was infected. Do not eat the meat. Always know the location of your fellow hunters, including your dog, and follow these safety precautions when hunting:. Mix ingredients for marinade. Cut rabbit into serving size pieces and marinate overnight, turning pieces occasionally. To cook, remove pieces from marinade and pat dry with clean towel.

Save marinade. Add rabbit pieces to flour mixture and shake until all pieces are coated. Heat enough oil to cover the bottom of a large pot or Dutch oven. Brown rabbit pieces on both sides. Reduce heat to low and cover with juice from marinade.