COLUMBUS, OH -- The popular cottontail rabbit, ring-necked pheasant, and bobwhite quail hunting seasons mark the beginning of fall for thousands of Ohio sportsmen and women, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
"Sportsmen can expect outstanding rabbit hunting opportunities statewide this year as populations are at a 10-year high," said Scott Hull, wildlife management supervisor with the Olentangy Wildlife Research Station. "In addition, hunters can look forward to good hunting for pheasants, especially in northwest and central Ohio, and quail in the southwest region of the state."
Rabbits and pheasants may be hunted statewide from sunrise to sunset, a change from previous years when the hours were more restrictive on private lands. The daily bag limits remain unchanged at four rabbits, two pheasants (roosters only), and four quail per hunter.
Cottontail rabbit hunting continues through February 29, 2004. Ring-necked pheasant hunting is open through January 4, 2004. Both seasons are closed only during the statewide 2003 deer-gun hunting season, December 1-7.
Hunters are reminded that snowshoe hares are not legal game in Ohio and may not be taken. Recently reintroduced to northeast Ohio after nearly a century of absence, snowshoe hares are brown early in the season, resembling cottontail rabbits.
To avoid confusion between cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hares, portions of Geauga and Ashtabula counties will be closed to all rabbit hunting from November 7 through December 8. The coats of most hares will have turned white by that time, allowing for proper distinction. The designated area is bordered by U.S. Route 6 to the north, U.S. Route 322 to the south, Kile Road to the west, and State Route 534 to the east. The expansion of the borders to include Kile Road is a change from last year.
The ODNR Division of Wildlife releases pheasants on selected public hunting areas throughout the state on opening day of the pheasant season, the second and third Saturdays of the season, and Thanksgiving Day. Hunters may call 1-800-WILDLIFE for locations of specific release sites.
Bobwhite quail hunting is limited to 16 counties in southwest Ohio: Adams, Athens, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Highland, Jackson, Meigs, Montgomery, Pike, Preble, Ross, Scioto, Vinton and Warren. The season continues through November 30.
Additional hunting information is contained in the 2003-2004 Hunting and Trapping Regulations brochure, which is available where hunting licenses are sold, on the Internet at ohiodnr.com/wildlife or by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE.