No small game hunting from end of February till Sept?

[Dorian Gray]

When did that change?

Historically for four decades the hare season closed June 15, North of the F&M.

The proposal was put forth last year and it looks like they went with it, along with bag limits. I'm not to happy about it myself. Pretty much all of my rabbit hunting used to be done in the spring after things thawed out.

 

[jimmyjazz]

Possum should not even be listed, they are an invasive species. Should be classed as pests and killed with prejudice year round!

Hey Spank, I kinda like having Possum around, they eat thousands of ticks a year and having had Lyme Disease I would rather see a few Possum and a lot less ticks.

JJ

 

[mnr]

Closing the snowshoe hare season earlier (and implementing bag limits when it is open) had nothing to do with "birthing/rearing seasons", or any other actual science. They breed 3-4 times per year. Purely more incremental destruction of hunting opportunities.

Always used to look forward to getting out in the bush right after work once the snow melts enough, especially on peak cycle years if you knew where to find them.

 

[1963beretta]

You can hunt pigeons all year round.

 

[finstr]

Possum should not even be listed, they are an invasive species. Should be classed as pests and killed with prejudice year round!

Agreed, The same should be said concerning coyotes. Although in this area coyotes are open all year they are also an invasive species. I'm just old enough to remember a time without them. There used to be a LOT more small game available back in the '70's before their numbers exploded. I kill coyotes whenever the opportunity arises. Even if I'm hunting turkey or deer and one shows up I'll pop him. We chase them with hounds in the winter time and get a few dozen. In the spring before turkey season starts I'll call them and get 6-10 on avg. A little tougher in summer with the heat, bugs and the long grass but still doable.

Hey Spank, I kinda like having Possum around, they eat thousands of ticks a year and having had Lyme Disease I would rather see a few Possum and a lot less ticks.

JJ

Possums are a tick eating machine! So are turkeys and Guinnea fowl. I've been bitten by ticks more than a few times while hunting in N/E Pennsylvania. They don't kill possum there too much just because they eat so many ticks. Too bad they also eat the game bird eggs.