COTTONTAIL OPENER SATURDAY
By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service
If catfish are "chicken of the lake," then cottontail rabbit is "furred brush chicken." The hunting season for cottontail (which might be the most delectable game I put on my barbecue each year) opens this Saturday, July 1.
This is the first of the fall hunting seasons to open, and hunters need to make sure they have a new hunting license (they are valid from July 1 through the following June 30 each year), which are available at all license outlets.
Cottontails remain the only game animal you can pursue without purchasing extra stamps or tags. They season is long, stretching into January, and the limit liberal at five per day. But they are kind of like catfish in their popularity. Some of us love them and revere them like big game, while they are taken incidentally by others.
I've been known to go on an evening rabbit hunt and then fish for catfish until 10 or 11 p.m. on a local lake where night fishing is allowed. I'm not sure if this reveals more about my character or my food preferences. Maybe both.
Jeff "Jesse" James - Owner of Jesse's Hunting & Outdoors
You can always tell who's in 2nd place by who's whining and crying the most. - Old hockey coach.
Dum spiramus tuebimur
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"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a brave and scarce man, hated and scorned. When the cause succeeds, however, the timid join him... for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." -Mark Twain
Thinking of going down to Grizzly Island and getting a few tomorrow morning. Anyone else going?
NRA - Life Member
NAHC - Life Member
Please post a report if you do. I'm going to try to make it there Monday if I can get enough of my personal brush fires put out.
Good luck! Save a few for the rest of us!
GWH does grizzly have a good population of cottentail this year? If so mayI join you?
"When the Buffalo are gone we will hunt mice,for we are hunters and we want our freedom". Sitting Bull
Just got back from the Carrizo Plain...took 4. Also, had my first encounter with the dreaded botsfly larvae, SCARY UGLY!!
I did not make it out to Grizzly today. The wife was sick.
I have not hunted rabbit out there in a couple years, but the last time we were there the population appeared to be pretty darn strong. I am not sure about this year. Did anyone go?
NRA - Life Member
NAHC - Life Member
where is grizzley island????, I was planning on going to carrizo next thurs or friday, any other land in kern county open to the public anyone would recommend? carrizos a good drive from bako ....thanks guys..........
SOLA FIDI
Grizzly Island's near Fairfield. North San Francisco Bay area. It's a Wildlife Management area.
I have hunted cottontails at Grizzly in July and have done well. I believe it is shotgun only. There are also alot of jackrabbits out there, so a hunter can get quite a few rabbits in one day. Something else I found alot of: SKUNKS!!
Best of luck,
bux-n-dux
"But just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back, up front their oughta be a Man in Black."
-Johnny Cash February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003.
"You guys call each other from the duck blind? Man, times sure have changed."
-My Father
If that ain't country, I'll kiss your ass.
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