COLUMBUS, OH --The majority of the Buckeye State's hunting and trapping seasons have ended for the year, but according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, the months of February and March still offer some prime hunting and trapping opportunities.
Cottontail rabbit hunting season remains open statewide through February 28 with a daily bag of four rabbits per hunter. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset on private land and sunrise to sunset on public hunting areas.
Ruffed grouse hunting also remains open statewide through February 28, with a daily bag limit of three birds. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Crow hunting is open only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through March 25. There is no daily bag limit for crows and shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
There is no closed season or daily bag limit in Ohio when hunting coyotes, wild boar, or groundhogs, except for special regulations that may apply during the deer gun hunting seasons. However, a valid Ohio hunting license is still required for those species.
Ohio trappers may pursue muskrats, mink, and beaver statewide through February 28. In Erie, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Lucas county east of the Maumee River, muskrats, mink, and raccoons may be trapped through March 15.
There is no daily bag limit for fur-bearing species that are permitted to be trapped. Trappers must possess a valid Ohio Fur Taker Permit ($11) in addition to an Ohio hunting license.
Anyone interested in commenting on the proposed 2001-2002 hunting and trapping regulations should attend an ODNR Division of Wildlife open-house forum. Forums will be held at each Division of Wildlife district office from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 4. District offices are located in Akron, Athens, Columbus, Xenia and Findlay. The open-house format allows members of the public to attend and view displays at their convenience and provide their comments or concerns to wildlife officials. For additional information, call 1-800-WILDLIFE.