Hobbies And Interests
Rabbit-Hunting Season
The rabbit-hunting season normally lasts from between October through until the end of February. Spring is the peak-breeding season for rabbits. The long reproductive season means that there are normally abundant numbers of rabbit available throughout Mississippi's hunting areas, although the numbers can be affected by things such as an abundance or lack of rainfall. In the past, flooding has limited reproduction, as has drought in some areas of the state. Hunters are allowed a daily bag limit of eight rabbit, regardless of species.
License
In order to go rabbit hunting in Mississippi, you need to obtain a license from the state. For a resident's lifetime license, you need to prove that you have been living in Mississippi for at least 18 months prior to the awarding of such a license. The prices of lifetime licenses as of publication time are $1,000 for people aged 13 and over, and $500 for those aged 12 or under. Senior citizens over 65 only had to pay a $5 donation in order to get the license. Another requirement of obtaining a license includes a hunter education course, which is obligatory for anyone born after January 1972. Annual sportsman's licenses are available to residents for $34 per year, as of publication date.
Hunting Areas and Types of Rabbit
The type and number of rabbits you will find throughout Mississippi depends on the habitat. Cottontails are abundant in the upland and lowland areas, while the swamp variety of rabbit is found near rivers, creeks and other wetland areas. Hunting takes place in Black Prairie, Charles Ray Nix and Hell Creek Wildlife Management Areas, which are particularly suited to small game hunting. Rabbit hunting is also offered in Trim Cane and Nanih Waiya Wildlife Management Areas through a limited permit process.
Tips for Success
Hunters should be aware of state hunting tips if they want to end the day with a successful hunt. Rabbits are common in wooded area, which always receive less attention from hunters. Farmers are also often keen to remove rabbits from their agricultural land, so try these areas also -- although you will need to get permission beforehand. Rabbits are active at dawn and dusk, so these are perfect times to enjoy the hunt. The best days to go hunting are on warm days following a cold snap, when rabbits come out of their shelters to absorb the sunshine. Stay downwind of the rabbits so that they don't detect your scent.