Why is the limit so high for cottontail rabbits and why is the season so long?
A. The cottontail season runs Sept. 1 through Feb. 28. Over the years there has been little indication that hunting seasons or bag limits have anything to do with the dramatic population fluctuations that frequently occur with cottontail rabbits. Leading causes of death include harsh winters, heavy spring storms and disease. With that being the case, whatever harvest that takes place during the hunting season has a negligible effect on the viability of the population. Cottontails are extremely prolific and may have two or three litters during spring and summer averaging about four bunnies per liter. It may take several years following severe population declines for the population to rebuild. In high population years the 10-rabbit limit is often easily obtained. In down years, hunters do well to bag two or three rabbits and there are fewer hunters. The limit and season length is of little consequence.
