NATCHEZ —Squirrel and rabbit hunting seasons are opening in Mississippi, and that means there are many opportunities to enjoy some time in the fall woods. Small game hunting was the first hunting experience for many hunters, and it remains popular with hunters of all ages.

Small game hunting is a way to get new hunters started, and experienced hunters can introduce new hunters to the sport by taking friends, family, and youth out for a squirrel or rabbit hunt. Small game hunting is particularly good for inexperienced or young hunters, because they are able move around while hunting.

Youth under 16 years old are exempt from obtaining a hunting license. However, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks offers an apprentice hunting license for residents over the age of 15 who want to try hunting, but have not completed a hunter education course. An apprentice hunting license may be issued only once, and the licensee must be accompanied by a licensed or exempt resident hunter at least 21 years of age.

For hunters with limited private land access to hunt, there are a number of public land opportunities to hunt small game in Mississippi, including Wildlife Management Areas, National Forests, and National Wildlife Refuges. Always be sure to understand hunting regulations before going hunting.

St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge began its small game season Oct. 15. Hunters can hunt small game without dogs on the refuge until Nov. 18. From Jan. 2 to Feb. 28 hunters can hunt small game on the refuge with or without dogs.

Rabbit season

The 2011-2012 rabbit-hunting season in Mississippi opened on Oct. 15.

Unless exempt, hunters should be sure their hunting licenses are not expired before hunting. Rabbit season is open October 15, 2011 – February 28, 2012, and the bag limit is 8 per day.

Areas with an ample mixture of native grasses, legumes and other broadleaf plants, and low brushy cover typically produce the greatest numbers of rabbits.

“We expect rabbit populations to be mostly abundant where they have suitable habitat,” MDWFP Small Game Biologist Rick Hamrick said. “It is likely rabbit populations suffered some losses in the most severely flooded areas of the Delta. Populations in those areas may be down this year, but rabbits will return and rebound quickly under favorable conditions.

“In other areas, prolonged, early drought conditions may have had some negative effects on food and cover resources for rabbits in southern areas, but later summer rains hopefully offset some of that by boosting late-summer productivity.”

Squirrel season

Squirrel season dates are divided into three zones with youth seasons opening one week prior to the regular seasons (youth 15 years of age and younger are eligible to participate in youth hunts).

The bag limit on squirrels is 8 per day.

Zone 1 includes areas north of US Highway 82 plus those portions of Sunflower County and Washington County south of Highway 82. The season opens October 1, 2011 (youth season opens September 24). Zone 2 includes areas between US Highway 82 and US Highway 84 plus portions of the state south of Highway 84 and west of Interstate 55. The season opens October 15, 2011 (youth season opens October 8). Zone 3 includes areas south of US Highway 84 and east of Interstate 55. The season opens October 29, 2011 (youth season opens October 22).

Adams County is located in Hunting Zone 2.

The season closes February 28, 2012 in all zones.

For more information on small game and other hunting opportunities, visit www.mdwfp.com or call 601-432-2400.