Rabbit And Grouse Season Starts

Saturday (Oct. 19) is the statewide opening day for rabbit and grouse hunting. Squirrel hunters have been active since Sept. 14, but ringneck pheasant hunters must wait until next weekend (Oct. 26) for their season to begin. Junior hunts began for rabbits on Oct. 5 and for pheasants on Oct. 12. Technically, these end on Oct. 19th.

Winter hunts begin for squirrels, rabbits, grouse, and pheasants on Dec. 16. The rabbit and pheasant winter hunts end on Feb. 28th, the same day winter squirrel season ends. In a move to reduce the harvest of Pennsylvania’s beleaguered grouse population, the winter hunt for them ends on Dec. 24. Hunters must be aware that no small-game hunting is permitted on Christmas.

The small-game season for these four animals was once as eagerly anticipated as the rifle deer season was. However, due to a number of factors, including the loss of habitat, the posting of private lands, and, especially, the generous length of archery deer season that has attracted sportsmen who might have become small-game hunters, small-game hunting now assumes a minor position among Pennsylvania’s sportsmen.

Many rabbit hunters once maintained kennels of beagles to help them harvest cottontails and ringnecks. Grouse hunters also trained dogs for their hunting adventures. I do not know of any sportsmen around Williamsburg who maintain kennels of beagles, though I do know of one hunter who still raises dogs for grouse and ringneck hunting.

The baying of beagles trailing rabbits was once a common sound during autumn. Sadly, this is no longer true.

This year, there should be lots of rabbits for hunters who might pursue them. On our evening rides, Donna, Sage, and I spotted many cottontails prior to their annual July 15 disappearance when they became nocturnal. However, as autumn advances, more rabbits should be out and about than there were during late summer. Grouse numbers are small. This is especially true around the Cove. Since wild pheasants have pretty much vanished, sportsmen seeking them must rely on the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) to stock them on public hunting grounds. The PGC has made a number of attempts to revive the wild pheasant population, but so far the agency has failed. Present-day habitat cannot support a population of wild birds.

If you are interested in hunting for rabbits and grouse (and other small game), be aware that you must wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange, visible for 360 degrees.

I extend my best wishes to sportsmen who decide to give rabbit and grouse hunting a try.