Fox squirrels and rabbit seasons might see changes

CRC

Old Mossy Horns
Fox Squirrels
1. Open fox squirrel hunting in all 100 counties (versus 27 counties currently open) and extend the season to close on January 31, instead of December 31.
Justification: Fox squirrel populations have expanded considerably in recent years into areas with no historical records of occurrence. Fox squirrel hunting regulations and seasons have been very conservative for several decades. But based on current trends in squirrel hunting and harvest, existing rules are more restrictive than necessary as current harvest levels have little impact on fox squirrel populations. Maintaining the current daily and season bag limits would ensure that populations are not overharvested. Closing the season at the end of January will minimize concerns of harvesting pregnant females. These additional hunting opportunities would allow hunters to pursue fox squirrels outside of deer hunting seasons. Commission goals call for expanding opportunities for all wildlife associated recreation. This proposal offers expands opportunities for hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation initiatives and mentored or youth hunts. 15A NCAC 10B.0206 (page 6)

Rabbits
1. Extend rabbit hunting season by opening it on the Monday on or nearest October 15, instead of the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and running through the last day in February.

Justification: Statewide rabbit populations are not significantly influenced by hunting. Population sizes vary annually and are primarily a function of available food resources, protective cover, predators, and disease. Requests to extend the rabbit hunting season were made by hunters attending the 2018-19 public regulation hearings and by other small game hunters in survey responses. Aligning this rabbit season with other small game seasons would provide more hunting opportunities and reduced regulatory complexity for all small game hunters. Moreover, these additional hunting days would give rabbit hunters in the Piedmont, where most rabbit hunting occurs, supplemental small game hunting opportunities outside the regular gun deer season. 15A NCAC 10B.0207 (page 5)
 
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