An evening of rabbit hunting will bring hunters of all ages together. (Photo by Ian Nance)
October 16, 2024
By Ian Nance
For as long as I’ve guided youth or otherwise inexperienced hunters into the woods, I’ve been accused by campsite comedians of pushing newbies down so I could shoot the deer or hog or whatever myself. This has been mostly false, except when it comes to rabbits.
As the adult and face of responsibility, I’ve attempted to remain calm, but after seeing others flop a few cottontails bounding along grassy fence lines and through palmettos, this greyhound-like instinct seizes control, and I’m feverishly pleading for the shotgun.
Such is the grasp of small-game hunting, a welcome relief to the monotony of deer stands or the early morning rigors of waterfowling. As is typical elsewhere, though, small-game hunting sits back seat to other Florida adventures. But, if you’ll read through the FWC manual, you’ll notice a long list of critters open to hunting, from raccoons and coyotes to armadillos and otters.
Some of these require more specialization than others, and far be it for me to malign Uncle Jesse’s Possum Fritters, but for today I just want to focus on a handful that are readily accessible on public and private lands, and which will serve up a fine meal.
Advertisement
Gray Squirrel Big news in the world of Florida squirrel hunting—the season is now open year-round on private lands. On public lands, though, a hunt is dependent upon the property. Many Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) will allow squirrel hunting throughout all hunting seasons, while some might restrict it to small-game season.
Squirrel hunting purists enjoy treeing bushytails with small hunting dogs and a .22-caliber rifle, though the tree rats may be bagged by pistol, muzzleloader, air gun, crossbow or bow.
The casual squirrel hunter, on the other hand, ambles through hardwood oak bottoms and near creeks seeking their prey scrambling among the canopies. This work is more ideal for shotgunning, and a single-shot .410 or 20-gauge is perfect medicine. The bag limit for any method is 12 per day.
Advertisement
One final note: only gray squirrels may be taken. Fox squirrels may not be killed in Florida.
Squirrel hunting is now permitted year-round on private lands. (Photo by Ian Nance) Rabbit As with squirrels, rabbits may be hunted year-round on private lands and are subject to the same public-land matter of when and where. There is also a 12-bunny bag limit.
I long for the day when I finally participate in a genuine cottontail hunt with the use of beagles running rabbits in circles, and frankly I feel under-qualified to write about rabbit hunting until I do. Still, I've had a great deal of fun without the dogs, roaming likely haunts late in the evenings when they emerge to feed.
Places to search are around sandy roads and logging trails, amid burned palmetto flats, brushy fence lines and ag fields. Scrub oaks are underrated honey holes in Florida, too. I'm a shotgun man when it comes to rabbits, slinging lead from my full-choked Stevens .410, but a .17 HMR is a fun tool on a hunt.
A wild bobwhite is one of Florida's true trophies. (Photo by Ian Nance) Wild Bobwhite I add the "wild" caveat here because a bobwhite born or released on a carefully manicured plantation is a different beast than a quail that's survived Florida's natural hostile environments to maturity. A truly wild bobwhite is one of this state's great trophies, in my opinion.
As such, hunting them is different. Wild bobwhite are notorious runners, preferring to jump only when finally feeling cornered. But, they're skittish enough to make even this feel unpredictable. Public-land quail, especially, tend to flush wild, so close-working dogs are preferred for these birds.
Due to their camouflaging skills and described tendencies, bobwhite hunting without dogs is torture, so expecting a full bag limit of 12 birds from this is near fantasy. Still, if you choose to walk this desperate path, be in the woods at sunrise and listen for them calling. When you hear them anxiously chirping, be ready.
Florida's 2024-25 bobwhite season begins November 9 and runs through March 2.
Snipe For simple stroll-and-shoot pleasures, snipe hunting is difficult to top. And you won’t require dogs, just a good pair of waterproof footwear, plenty of shotgun shells, and some soggy ground where the birds will feed.
This year's season begins November 1 and concludes February 15. Late January through season's end is my favorite time for a Florida snipe hunt, as the weather is mild and it fills a gap between deer and turkey seasons.
To jump snipe, work marshy areas where the grass is about ankle high. The birds are unpredictable and erratic flyers, so don't get down in the dumps if you're whiffing on more than you down. Though it might seem like a Herculean feat, the daily bag limit of snipe is eight birds.
Final Thoughts I mentioned WMAs before. Be sure to check the regulations brochure for each WMA you want to hunt. They all have different rules and season dates. Assume nothing. For more information on your local public land, visit myfwc.com/hunting/wma-brochures/
While on the subject of public land, small-game hunting is an active recreation that often takes place during other seasons, so pay heed to those sharing the woods who might be deer or hog hunting. Nothing ruins a simple small-game hunt like confrontation between users.
Finally, bobwhite and snipe are treasures in the kitchen, but rabbits and squirrel are—well, I'll just say it—considered hillbilly fare. A well-prepared dish changes minds, however.
The trick to each of these animals is to clean and cool them as soon as possible to prevent the "gamey" flavors. Slow-cooking works wonders, which is why they then to end up in stews. But, I'll testify, rabbit legs braised in duck fat then deep fried belong on a menu at the local sports bar.
