California Rabbit Hunting

Rabbit Biology 101

HISTORY - The jackrabbit is actually a true hare. The primary differences between a hare and a rabbit are the hare is generally larger with longer ears and has more powerful hind legs. It is a social animal and primarily nocturnal. Rabbits vary greatly in size, from less than a pound for a pygmy rabbit, to more than 10 pounds for a white-tailed jackrabbit. There are seven species of rabbit in California. In 2000, 12,489 California hunters reported the harvest of about 76,000 cottontails, and 11,360 California hunters harvested 75,000 jack rabbits.

MOUNTAIN COTTONTAIL RABBIT - Sylvilagus nuttallii

DESCRIPTION - The mountain cottontail was previously called Nuttall's cottontail. The mountain cottontail is of medium to large size for its genus with long hind legs and a large tail that is dark on top and light below. The top of the body is covered in grayish brown fur, and the underbelly is white. The hind legs are covered with reddish brown hairs that are long and dense. The ears are rather short and rounded. They have black tips and long hairs on their inner surfaces. The animal's whiskers are usually white. The females have eight to ten mammae. In this species there is a single annual molt. The rabbits weigh between 0.7 kg and 1.2 kg and are between 35 cm and 39 cm in body length. Females are nearly five percent larger than males.

Cottontails are intermediate hosts for many helminthes, and may contract tularemia and relapsing fever.

REPRODUCTION - Nests are found in dense vegetation, crevices, rockpiles, or burrows. The nest is a cup-like cavity lined with fur and dried grass. The top of the nest is covered with fur, grass, and small sticks. Breeding season is from April to July in northeastern California. Gestation lasts 28-30 days; an average of 6.1 (range 4-8) young per litter. Probably 2 litters per year in California. Young are weaned at about 1 mo. There are reports of females about 90 days old breeding, but this probably is rare.

DEFENSES - Cottontails are very tolerant of human activity. Cottontail predators are legion. Foxes coyotes, bobcats, weasels, domestic dogs and cats, hawks, eagles, and owls all commonly catch desert cottontails. Many species of snakes take the young. The only antipredation techniques reported are rapidly running to a safe sheltered area and restricting activity to dusk and dawn.

RANGE - The mountain cottontail (previously called Nuttall's cottontail) is found on the east slopes of the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades from Siskiyou and Modoc cos. south through the Great Basin to southern Inyo Co. (Orr 1940), and probably to San Bernardino Co. Primarily an animal of rocky, sage-covered hills and canyons, it is common in sagebrush, fairly common in sparse, montane riparian habitats, and uncommon in subalpine conifer, pinyon-juniper, juniper, and alpine dwarf-shrub habitats. Altitudinal range in California is from 1372 to 3200 m (4500 to 10,500 ft).

DIET - Prefers grasses, but lives most of the year on sagebrush, and will eat juniper berries. Mountain cottontail usually feeds in the shelter of brush, or in clearings a few meters from cover.

TRACKS -

SCAT - Mountain cottontail scat is round and usually in a pile. The round pellets are about 1/4" in diameter.

HABITAT - Optimal habitats are rocky, sage-covered hills, or canyons, with dense cover adjoining grassy clearings. Moves locally, in a very limited sense, following seasonal food supplies.

 

DESERT COTTONTAIL -Sylvilagus audubonii

DESCRIPTION - Also known as Audubon's Cottontail. Female desert cottontails are slightly larger than males, weighing an average of 988 g while the average male weight is 841 g. For females, total length is about 385 mm, length of hind foot is 90 mm, and ear length is 73 mm. Males' measurements are similar. Both sexes have the bushy white "cotton" tail.

Active yearlong; generally most active during the twilight periods, with some nocturnal activity. Not migratory.

Cottontails are intermediate hosts for many helminthes, and may contract tularemia and relapsing fever.

REPRODUCTION - Cottontails construct fur-lined nests on the ground or in burrows, usually within dense shrub stands. Desert cottontails generally breed from December through June, with a peak of activity from March through May. Gestation period lasts 26-30 days. Females produce 2-4 litters each year of 1-6 young, with an average of 3-4. The cottontail's estrous cycle may be influenced by availability of succulent green forage. Yearlong reproduction apparently occurs along the Colorado River and in some other areas adjacent to irrigated alfalfa and other succulent green crops.

DEFENSES - Desert cottontails are very tolerant of human activity. Cottontail predators are legion. Foxes coyotes, bobcats, weasels, domestic dogs and cats, hawks, eagles, and owls all commonly catch desert cottontails. Many species of snakes take the young. The only antipredation techniques reported are rapidly running to a safe sheltered area and restricting activity to dusk and dawn. When one is startled it may freeze or it may run for cover. They run in a zig-zag pattern, at about 15 miles per hour. This species has more athletic ability than the others in its genus, having the ability to swim and to climb trees and brush piles.

TRACKS -

SCAT - Desert cottontail scat is round and usually in a pile. The round pellets are about 1/4" in diameter.

RANGE - This cottontail is found in deserts from western North Dakota to southern Baja California & central Mexico. Inhabits most of the southern two-thirds of the state, excluding the higher elevations. Range extends north into the Sacramento Valley and surrounding foothills. Click for range map

DIET - Desert cottontails are herbivorous. They feed in most canopy-closure classes, but they prefer grasslands. They graze and browse on a wide variety of grasses, forbs, tree and shrub leaves, twigs, fallen fruit, acorns, and tender bark. Cottontails may compete for food with sympatric herbivores such as domestic livestock, deer, ground squirrels, hares, and various invertebrates.

HABITAT - Good habitats for cottontails contain small, scattered patches of dense shrub cover with abundant shrub/herbaceous edge for foraging. Abundant to common in grasslands, open forests, and desert shrub habitats. Found in more open habitats than brush rabbits.

 

BRUSH RABBIT - Sylvilagus bachmani

DESCRIPTION - Mass: 475 to 917 grams. Brush rabbits are a small to medium sized cottontail. The pelage is evenly dark, consisting of steel gray, black, and orange. The ears are fairly small with a slight point. The tail is not prominent, on the top it is the same dark brown and white underneath. Ranges in length from 11 inches to 14 1/2 inches. Females are generally a little bigger than males.

Usually most active during twilight periods; less active at night, and occasionally active in daytime, often on cloudy, or overcast days. Active throughout the year.

REPRODUCTION - Breeding occurs from January through August, with most activity from March through June. Females produce 2-4 litters per year, of 1-6 young (average 3-4). Gestation period is 27-30 days, and lactation generally is completed by August. Young brush rabbits remain in the nest approximately 2 weeks. Brush rabbits nest in cavities, dug or natural, approximately 7.5 to 15 cm (3 to 6 in) deep, in the ground, usually beneath brushy cover. The nest is lined with dry vegetation, and/or fur, and often it is plugged with dry vegetation.

DEFENSES - Predators of brush rabbits include bobcats coyotes, gray foxes, domestic dogs and cats, long-tailed weasels, minks, spotted skunks, striped skunks, red tailed hawks, Cooper's hawks, barn owls, rattlesnakes and gopher snakes.

RANGE - As its name implies, it inhabits areas with dense brush from western Oregon to southern Baja California. Click for range map

DIET - Brush rabbits are herbivorous. They graze on a wide variety of grasses and forbs (e.g., clovers, foxtails, bromes, thistles) in grasslands, meadows, and riparian areas, always within, or very close to, dense brushy cover. Brush rabbits also browse, especially in fall and winter, on tender leaves, twigs, buds, and bark of blackberry, wild rose, and other species.

HABITAT - Abundant, yearlong resident of dense, brushy areas, and of early successional stages of oak and conifer habitats. Dense brush cover of thickets, vines, brambles, or dense riparian species form the center of the brush rabbit life. Blackberry and willow patches are favored coverts. Inhabits the length of the state west of the Sierra Nevada, excluding the dry Central Valley and southern arid regions. In California, male home ranges averaged 1.5 ha (3.8 ac), and home ranges for females averaged 0.5 ha (1.3 ac). Home ranges often conform to the size and shape of cover patches. Homing ability extends up to 350 m (1150 ft) . Males apparently are not territorial; home ranges overlap. Females sometimes protect areas.

SCAT - Brush rabbit scat is round and usually in a pile. The round pellets are about 1/4" in diameter.

TRACK -

WHITE-TAILED JACKRABBIT - Lepus townsendii.

DESCRIPTION - The White-tailed Jackrabbit, Prairie Hare or White Jack as it is commonly referred to, is the largest hare , having a head and body length of 18 to 22 inches (46 to 56 cm), hind foot average 6 1/4" (15.9 cm), average ear length 4" (10.2 cm),and weighing 5 to 10 pounds (2.2 to 4.5 kg). It is brownish gray in summer and white or pale gray in winter The entire tail is white. They have long, antenna-like ears, long legs, and large body size in comparison to the snowshoe hare. It is relatively slim hare with very slender legs and a relatively long white tail.

There is little current information regarding population status in California, but evidence points to a serious decline. Overgrazing by livestock has been cited as a principal factor, as well as cultivation and other development. May now be absent from large portions of its previous range, as in Lassen Co. where the last records are 20 year old. California Species of Special Concern.

REPRODUCTION - The hare does not build nests for its young which are born fully furred with their eyes open. The rabbit does build nests and its young are born naked with their eyes closed. Members of the genus Lepus are born well-furred and able to move about. Little or no nest is prepared, although the young are kept hidden for 3 to 4 days. Females may produce up to 4 litters per year with 2 to 8 young per litter. Reproductive rates may vary from year to year depending on environmental conditions. The population is cyclical with major fluctuations about every seven years. During mating season the bucks fight with their hind feet.

TRACKS -

SCAT - White-tailed jackrabbit scat is round and usually in a pile. The round pellets are about 3/8" in diameter.

DEFENSES - It has a good sense of smell and its eyes are set far back which aids in spotting its enemies quickly. It can run 30-35 mph (48-56 kph) for short distances with hops of 5'-20' (4.5- 6 m). It also can change directions very quickly eluding capture. The white-tailed jackrabbit is also a strong swimmer and may plunge into a river when pursued and swim buoyantly with much splashing to the other side. The hare lives in open habitat and runs to escape predators rather than hiding in the woods as the rabbit does.

RANGE - The white-tailed jackrabbit is found mainly in the north central and north-western United States and no further south than the extreme north central part of New Mexico and southern Kansas. Click for range map

DIET - Hares consume 1/2 to 1 pound (1.1 to 2.2 kg) of green vegetation each day. It eats grasses, weedy plants, shrubs, clover and in winter buds, twigs and dried vegetation.

 

 

 

BLACKTAIL JACKRABBIT - Lepus californicus

DESCRIPTION - Also know as the Jackass rabbit. Their color is grayish-brown with large black-tipped ears and black streak on top of tail. Found throughout the West in grasslands, open areas and sparsely vegetated deserts. Average weight. 4-7 lb (1.8-3.1 kg); Average length 17"-24" (43-61 cm); Hind foot average 5" (12.7 cm); Average ear length 4 1/4" (10.8 cm).

HABITAT - The habitat of the blacktail jackrabbit is barren or sparsely vegetated sagebrush areas and foothills of the mountains within its range.

REPRODUCTION - The hare does not build nests for its young which are born fully furred with their eyes open. The rabbit does build nests and its young are born naked with their eyes closed. Members of the genus Lepus are born well-furred and able to move about. Little or no nest is prepared, although the young are kept hidden for 3 to 4 days. Females may produce up to 4 litters per year with 2 to 8 young per litter. Reproductive rates may vary from year to year depending on environmental conditions. The population is cyclical with major fluctuations about every seven years. During mating season the bucks fight with their hind feet.

TRACKS -

SCAT - White-tailed jackrabbit scat is round and usually in a pile. The round pellets are about 3/8" in diameter.

DEFENSES - It has a good sense of smell and its eyes are set far back which aids in spotting its enemies quickly. It can run 30-35 mph (48-56 kph) for short distances with hops of 5'-20' (4.5- 6 m). It also can change directions very quickly eluding capture. The blacktail jackrabbit is also a strong swimmer and may plunge into a river when pursued and swim buoyantly with much splashing to the other side. The hare lives in open habitat and runs to escape predators rather than hiding in the woods as the rabbit does.

RANGE - The blacktail jackrabbit is found mainly in the southwestern United States and the southern Great Plains, and no further north than central South Dakota and southern Washington. Click for range map

DIET - Hares consume 1/2 to 1 pound (1.1 to 2.2 kg) of green vegetation each day. It eats grasses, weedy plants, shrubs, clover and in winter buds, twigs and dried vegetation.

 

PYGMY RABBIT - Brachylagus idahoensis

DESCRIPTION - Pygmy rabbits are the smallest member of the genus Brachylagus, with length 11.5 inches on average. This species is found in sagebrush, bitterbrush, and pinyon-juniper habitats. Also know as the Pygmy cottontail rabbit. They are very shy and active only at night.

DIET - Big sagebrush is highly preferred, providing up to 99% of the diet in winter. Grasses provide up to 40% of the diet from mid-summer to fall; a variety of grasses and forbs is eaten . Bitterbrush is taken only rarely, even though it may be dense in the pygmy rabbit's habitat. Forages on the ground and in shrubs. May store food in burrow.

HABITAT - The pygmy rabbit may be the only rabbit to dig its own burrows. Burrows have several entrances (up to 10), and are located in slopes oriented in a north-to-east direction. Chambers may be 1 m (3.3 ft) deep. In dense brush, the pygmy rabbit may use forms during the day instead of burrows. During winter, it makes a network of subnivean trails at the bases of shrubs for cover and feeding.

REPRODUCTION - Mating occurs from late February to early May. After a 27- to 30-day gestation period, the young are born from March to early August. Litter size averages 6, and 3 litters per year have been reported in Idaho . The young are helpless, naked, and blind when born. Mortality is highest in late winter and early spring. It is assumed that burrows are the nesting sites, though no chambers of nesting materials have been found.

DEFENSES - Weasels are the principal predator, followed by coyotes, foxes, owls, and hawks. Pygmy rabbits have a very distinctive alarm call. It has been supposed that they have developed this call because they live in dense sage brush and as a result can't see their neighbors. Males tend to be more vocal than the females.

RANGE -The pygmy rabbit is found in the Great Basin habitats of Modoc, Lassen, and Mono counties of California. Pygmy rabbit has only recently been discovered in Wyoming. This has lead to speculation that their range is expanding. Click for range map

SCAT - Pygmy rabbit scat is round and usually in a pile. The round pellets are about 1/4" in diameter.

TRACKS -

 

SNOWSHOE HARE - Lepus americanus

DESCRIPTION - Two subspecies are found in California. Both are California Species of Special Concern. L. a. klamathensis is found in vicinity of Mt. Shasta, the Trinity Mts. and possibly the Warner Mts.; L. a tahoensis is found in the Sierra Nevada. Numbers of both subspecies, but particularly L. a. klamathensis are unknown, and may be quite low (especially in Warner Mts.). Also called snowshoe rabbit and varying hare.

DIET - Grazes and browses. Summer food primarily consists of grasses, forbs, sedges, and low shrubs. Needles and bark of conifers, and leaves and green twigs of willow and alder, are eaten in the winter.

HABITAT - Prefers edges, heterogeneous habitats, and areas with dense understory, particularly in riparian habitats. Also found in areas with young firs with branches drooping to ground, and in patches of ceanothus and manzanita within, or bordering, fir or pine forests. Rarely found in open spaces or mature closed canopy forests. Primarily found in montane riparian habitats with thickets of alders and willows, and in stands of young conifers interspersed with chaparral. The early seral stages of mixed conifer, subalpine conifer, red fir, Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, and aspen are likely habitats, primarily along edges, and especially near meadows. Dense cover is preferred, either in understory thickets of montane riparian habitats, or in shrubby understories of young conifer habitats. A shallow bowl-like depression (form) is made in dense understory or brush piles.

REPRODUCTION - Breeds mid-February to June or July. The gestation period is 35-37 days. Litter size varies from 1-7, with about around 3. Polyestrous, with 2-3 litters per year. Young breed in second year. It is likely that no definite nests are built, but grass, fur, or needles may line a shallow form placed under a shrub, log, or in slash. Males are generally intolerant of each other, particularly during breeding season, and fights are frequent.

DEFENSES - Bobcats are the main predators of snowshoe hares, followed by minks, weasels, foxes, coyotes, great horned owls, and domestic dogs and cats.

RANGE -An uncommon resident at upper elevations in the Cascade Mts. in Siskiyou and Del Norte counties south through the Sierra Nevada to Mariposa, Mono, and Madera cos. A small, insular population also has been reported in the Warner Mts., Modoc Co.

SCAT - Pygmy rabbit scat is round and usually in a pile. The round pellets are about 1/4" in diameter.

TRACKS -

 

REFERENCES FOR ABOVE INFO

Asdell, S. A. 1964. Patterns of mammalian reproduction. 2nd ed. Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca, Ny. 670pp.
Conroy, M. J., L. W. Gysel, and G. R. Dudderar. 1979. Habitat components of clear-cut areas for snowshoe hares in Michigan. J. Wildl. Manage. 43:680-690.
Dolbeer, R. A., and W. R. Clark. 1975. Population ecology of snowshoe hares in the central Rocky Mountains. J. Wildl. Manage. 39:535-549.
Ingles, L. G. 1965. Mammals of the Pacific states. Stanford Univ. Press, Stanford, CA. 506pp.
O'Farrell, T. P. 1965. Home range and ecology of snowshoe hares in interior Alaska. J. Mammal. 46:406-418.
Orr, R. T. 1937. Systematics and natural history of Californian hares and rabbits (Family Leporidae). Ph.D. Thesis, Univ. California, Berkeley. 302pp.
Orr, R. T. 1940. The rabbits of California. Calif. Acad. Sci. Occas. Pap. No. 19. 227pp.
Pease, J. L., R. H. Vowles, and L. B. Keith. 1979. Interaction of snowshoe hares and woody vegetation. J. Wildl. Manage. 43:43-60.
Todd, A. W., L. B. Keith, and C. A. Fischer. 1981. Population ecology of coyotes during a fluctuation of snowshoe hares. J. Wildl. Manage. 45:629-640.
Williams, D. F. 1986. Mammalian species of special concern in California. Calif. Dept. Fish and Game, Sacramento. Admin. Rep. 86-1. 112pp.
Wolff, J. O. 1980. The role of habitat patchiness in the population dynamics of snowshoe hares. Ecol. Monogr. 50:111-130.

Rabbit Hunting Safety and Ethics

Rabbit hunting is a relatively safe sport. However, it is imperative that to remain a safe sport that certain safety rules be adhered to without exception. When you take a newcomer, especially children, into the hunting experience, part of your responsibility as a hunter is to teach that person proper safety. The following rules are good ones to LIVE by:

THE ELEVEN COMMANDMENTS OF RABBIT HUNTING SAFETY

1) Always treat the gun as loaded.
2) Never have a loaded gun except when hunting.
3) Always make sure that the barrel and action are clear of obstructions.
4) Always carry your gun so dig you can control the direction of the muzzle, even if you stumble.
5) Always keep the safety on until the gun is brought to shoulder.
6) Always make sure your target is a rabbit and your backstop is not a hunter or a dog.
7) Never point a gun at anything you do not want to shoot.
8) Never leave guns or ammunition within reach of children or careless adults.
9) Never climb trees or fences with a loaded gun.
10) Never shoot at a flat, hard surface or water.
11) Never drink alcohol or take other mood-altering drugs before or during a hunt.

Always know where all members of your hunting party are. The more members in your party the more difficult this will be. It is recommended to keep hunting parties as small as possible, preferably two, but no more than three. If you are with a large party, try to spread out or split into several groups of two.

If your party has found some rabbits, determine in which directions it would be unsafe to shoot. Each person should wear some safety orange, a little is better than none. Camouflage clothing is not necessary for rabbit hunting, they know where you are regardless of what you wear. Take extra precautions during deer season. Wear plenty of safety orange and talk with your buddy while hunting.

If you have to chase down a crippled rabbit, make sure your gun is on safety.' Almost all good rabbit country is good rattlesnake country. Be careful around brush and water. When hunting in the deserts of California, always be sure to carry plenty of water. If you are hunting with a dog, make sure to carry additional water for your dog. It also pays to avoid hunting during the mid-day hours when it can be quite hot. Be prepared for cold temperatures at night.

HUNTER ETHICS

Hunting in this state and country is not a right, but a privilege. In order to preserve this privilege, it is essential that each rabbit hunter, as a representative of all rabbit hunters, conduct him or herself in an ethical manner. Without the public's support even if this support is in the form of indifference, we could lose our cherished privilege. The following are some suggestions:

1) Respect other's property: don't trespass without permission; don't litter, leave gates as you find them; if driving on someone's property, drive slowly, and don't drive off the roads; don't harass livestock; and do offer to repair or compensate for damage you may have caused.

2) Be kind and courteous: don't interfere with other hunters, campers or bird watchers; and always be helpful - whether it be telling a landowner about a hole in his fence, or offering to help fix the fence.

3) Conduct oneself as a sportsman: always hunt safely! always follow the regulations - nobody likes a game hog and don't shoot birds of prey (this includes Cooper's hawks).

 

Rabbit Hunting Gear List

 

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Trespass Permission Slips For Private Land Use & Emergency Alert Sheets

 

You'll need Acrobat Reader to read and print these .pdf files, you can get Acrobat at

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Click the link below to get the trespass permission slip you can print.

http://www.jesseshunting.com/permission-slip-1.pdf

Click the link below for an Emergency Alert sheet you can print out and leave on your vehicle, with your family or friends.

http://www.jesseshunting.com/emergency-alert-notice.pdf

 

 

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Rabbit Hunting Links

Ammo

Active Ammo .... is no longer in business. Kent Cartridges bought the company in 1997 and Kent does not make the nickel plated shells anymore, sorry.
Federal Ammo ....
HEVI-SHOT™ .... Revolutionary, non-toxic lead shot alternative. With HEVI-SHOT™ shells, you can shoot a smaller shot size with more lethality. More pellets at a higher energy means more knock-down power. This new shotshell pellet is actually heavier than lead with the hardness similar to standard steel shot. It is made from a tungsten alloy and the hardness and density allow hunters to use smaller shot sizes to get equivalent energy as in larger lead or steel pellets. Because the pellet is smaller, this allows for more pellet to be in a shotshell cartridge which makes for a denser pattern, increasing the likelihood of multiple hits on the target. Both penetration and retained velocity are also greater with these pellets. Darryl Amick, who holds the patent on the tungsten-nickel alloy used to make this new shot, said he set out to offer something heavier than lead that would be even more effective for hunters. "My passion for this product is that I hate the fact that we wound these birds, that we have to shoot steel. I'm also absolutely committed to making this product as inexpensive as possible, and we'd like to be significantly under the other non-toxic alternatives to steel," said Amick. "It's going to perform better. I don't think anyone can argue that. It's just a matter of keeping costs down so guys can afford it," said Amick. You will be hearing more about Hevi-Shot in the near future as it becomes available for both reloaders and in loaded offerings.
Kent Cartridge ..... IMPACT™ shot shells are specifically designed to deliver the pattern density and down range lethality required by dedicated turkey hunters. These loads may be used in any Nitro-proofed shotgun without fear of barrel or choke damage. Standard choke restrictions and lead shot size recommendations apply, including X-full Turkey.
Remington .... Guns and ammo.
Winchester Ammo .... Makers of great ammo.

 

Chokes

Ballistic Specialties .... Angle Porting chokes.
Briley Chokes ....
Carlson's ....
Gun Docc. .... Custom turkey gun work.
Hastings Chokes .... PH# 913-632-3169
Johnny's Shotgun Chokes and Forcing Cones ....
Kick's .... They make the famous "Gobblin' Thunder" choke
Patternmaster ....
Seminole Gunworks .... Seminole specializes in the making of precision choke tubes for most makes and model of shotguns.
Trulock Chokes .... Manufacturers of superior shotgun chokes.

Dogs

Foothill Brittanys .... Very Birdy, Natural Pointers and Retrievers (Land and Water).
Gameland Kennels Dog Training Center .... Patrick Callaghan specializing in Spaniels, Retrievers and Pointing dogs. Rattlesnake avoidance classes, boarding, obedience. 5800 Bluff, Norco, CA. 91760-0458, PH# 1-909-735-3251.
High Desert Kennels .... Bird dog training for 30 years. Family owned and run. Jimmy Berneathy Owner/Trainer
Reibar Kennel .... Grady Istre's excellence in dog training. 7480 Domingos Rd. Lompoc Ca. 93436, PH# 1-805-736-5309, e-mail reibar@impulse.net
Scott's Dog Supply .... calls and dog gear.

If you know of any other trainers, dog links or info please e-mail us at and we will update the listing.

 

Gear

Bass Pro Shop .... One of the biggest hunting and fishing gear suppliers. Stop by one of their 'Outdoor World' stores, you'll be amazed. They have calls, decoys, shells, sights, blinds camo and tons more.
Brigade Quartermasters .... Outdoor gear, military issue gear, GPS, everything you need.
Cabela's .... One of the biggest retailers of outdoor and hunting gear. They have calls, decoys, shells, sights, blinds camo and tons more.
Lacrosse .... Excellent boots and waders.
Midwest Turkey Call Supply .... Everything you need for turkey and quail hunting.
Ranger Joe's .... Military, Law enforcement and outdoor gear.
REI ....The biggest outdoor store on the net.
Schnee's Boot's ....These guys make the best cold weather elk boots I've ever owned. I like the 'air bob' soles.
Shomer-tec .... Law enforcement and military equipment. Box 28070, Bellingham, WA. 98228 ph# 360-733-6214. Call for free catalog.
Turner's Outdoorsman .... Southern California's best hunting and fishing store.
Uncle Lee's Wing Supply .... PH# 1-800-388-9464 for your free catalog. They have GPS, clothing, and turkey and duck hunting equipment.
U.S. Cavalry .... World's finest military and adventure equipment.

Guns

Beretta ....
Browning ....
Ithaca ....
Knight Muzzleloaders ....
Mossberg .... Shotguns and rifles.
Remington ....
Ruger ....
Weatherby ....
Winchester ....

Most of the Department’s wildlife areas are open to rabbit hunting. There may, however, be restrictions to the method of take. For a complete listing of state and federal wildlife areas open to rabbit hunting, refer to the 2001/2002 California Regulations For Hunting and Other Public Uses On State and Federal Areas (the new booklet for 2002/2003 will be available in late September). For complete hunting regulations consult the 2002-2003 California Hunting Regulations, Mammals and Furbearers which is available at all Department of Fish and Game offices and license agents in June. Locations for hunting rabbits on state wildlife areas and other public lands w/ phone #’s for more info. Properties are generally listed from north to south. Phone #’s are for maps or more info.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA