Photo by Vic Attardo

There’s a lure to the baying of the hounds that every rabbit hunter knows. The sounds of a pack of beagles echoing across a cold, crisp morning stirs the blood of many Kentuckians. Rabbit hunting is a time-honored tradition that is alive and well in the Bluegrass State.

Dedicated rabbit hunters are out there every year regardless of whether it’s a good or bad year. The rabbit population goes through cycles and some years are obviously better than others. However, the population has remained fairly steady for the last 25 years.

The harsh winters of 1977 and 1978 were devastating to our state’s cottontail population. We’ve never completely rebounded from those years, according to Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) small-game biologist Brian Grossman. Final analysis of last year’s Rabbit Hunter Cooperator Survey wasn’t complete, but this year should probably be similar to last.

Grossman said the cooperator survey is very important and he urges all hunters to participate. Hunters need only to keep a simple log during the season, which records key information regarding time spent hunting and subsequent success. At the end of the season, the log is mailed to the KDFWR. The log is printed in the back of the annual Kentucky Hunting and Trapping Guide or can be printed off the department’s Web site at http://fw.ky.gov/.

The survey also includes information collected from rural mail carriers. All this information is compiled and analyzed to help biologists determine the condition of the rabbit population and to help set management goals.

Some interesting trends show up on the surveys. For instance, cooperator survey results indicate that the rabbits-jumped-per-hour rate has dropped each of the last three seasons. The survey from 2001-2002 showed this number to be at an eight-year high.

Moreover, the survey shows when peak hunter activity takes place. Hunting pressure peaks during opening week, the week after Thanksgiving, and the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Effort is fairly steady throughout the remainder of the season, but success rates tend to drop toward the end of the season.

With another good year at hand and optimism high, hunters are looking for the best places to bag a limit of cottontails. Thanks to the management efforts of the KDFWR and others, we have an ample supply of hunting options within the state. Here’s a look at three top spots.

FORT CAMPBELL
One of the most underutilized areas in the state for rabbit hunting is the Fort Campbell Military Reservation in Christian and Trigg counties, which is on the Kentucky and Tennessee line. Theresa Lee, manager of hunting and fishing at Fort Campbell, said the base does not see many rabbit hunters, but would like to get more using the area. Last year, she only recorded 72 rabbit hunter trips during the entire season.

Part of the reason is that Fort Campbell is not a “do whatever you want whenever you want” type of facility. With it being an active military base, there are strict regulations on when and where hunting may take place. Additionally, there are some days when the entire base is closed to all hunting. Many people don’t want to be subject to the base requirements, but for those who do, there’s a lot of opportunity here.

The total area at Fort Campbell is around 85,000 acres. There is a variety of terrain and habitat at the base. A good population of rabbits combined with low hunting pressure makes this a prime spot for chasing cottontails.

Rabbit dogs are allowed at the base. Hunters may also use horses while hunting. However, hunters must dismount before shooting.

Hunters must possess a state hunting license and a Fort Campbell post permit. Post permits are available for small game only, big game only, or as a combination. Additionally, all hunters (regardless of age) must have passed a hunter safety course.

There is no hunting allowed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Areas that will be open for hunting on Thursdays through Mondays are posted on the Internet usually by the previous Wednesday afternoon. Hunters may then call in to an automated system and sign up for a particular area. Upon arrival at the base, hunters will check in at the hunting and fishing office and receive a paper to display in their vehicle window, which shows their area assignment.

More information may be obtained by contacting the Fort Campbell hunting and fishing unit at (270) 798-2175. Access all the regulations and postings on open hunting areas on the Web at www.fortcampbellmwr.com.