There still is land available for these hunts

Article and photos by Jimmy Jacobs

Over the decades, I’ve heard two common complaints about modern day rabbit hunting. The first of these was from old timers who opined about the “good old days.” Back then they would hit the fields and return at day’s end with 15, 20 or more cottontails in the game bag. Their follow up comment was that it just wasn’t worth going hunting now because there were no longer enough rabbits.

I suppose it is all in prospective. Personally, the last thing I want to do after walking the fields or woodland all day is face the prospect of dressing out two dozen long-ears. It is not like we hunt for subsistence today. Two or three rabbits makes for a couple of meals, and entail a lot less time preparing them.

A couple of cottontails is more than enough for a meal.

Those same hunters also mention that back in the day, you could virtually hunt anywhere, just by asking permission from farmers or other land owners. Today, they say there’s simply no place to hunt. That’s a theme also touched on by other hunters of a younger age as well.

However, if your adjust your expectation to bagging four of five bunnies on a hunt, there are some good options on public land today. On a lot of our Wildlife Management Areas that the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division oversees there are rabbits available. Additionally, there are even eight that are rated as very good for that type of small game hunting. All hunting on these lands takes place during the regular small game season from November 15 through February 28, but may have more restrictive dates on some areas. Here’s look at those.

As you might expect, since the Coastal Plain Region of the Peach State has much of the agricultural land, that’s were the bulk of these WMAs are located. In alphabetical order by region, here are the ones rated as having high number of rabbits.

Di-Lane WMA – This WMA covers 8,100 acres in southern Burke County. Rabbit hunting is allowed on November 16, 17, 20, 23, 25 and 27, as well as on Sunday, Monday and Thursday in December to February. In January hunting is limited to the area south of Rocky Creek.

Elmodel WMA – This 1,600-acre property is located in central Baker County. It is open for rabbit hunts throughout the small game season, except during any quota hunts and firearms deer hunts.

Grand Bay WMA – Situated in northeast Lowndes County, the tract is composed of 8,700 acres. Hunting allowed on Saturdays and Sundays during the regular season dates, except during weekends with firearms deer hunts.

Little Satilla WMA – Little Satilla is located in the extreme northeast corner of Brantley County, covering 16,990 acres. Rabbit hunting is permitted throughout the small game season, except when quota hunts or firearms deer hunts are taking place on the tract.

Mayhaw WMA – This WMA is in central Miller County, covering a total of 6,300 acres. Rabbit hunting is allowed during the regular small game season, except during firearms deer hunts.

Paulks Pasture WMA – Paulks Pasture is open for rabbit hunts throughout the small game season, with the exception of during firearms deer hunts. It is positioned in the northeast quadrant of Glynn County on 16,066 acres of land.

Up in the Piedmont Region of the state there are two public tracts that offer high numbers of rabbits.

Joe Kurz WMA – Joe Kurz WMA is in northeast Meriwether County, spreading across 3,700 acres. Rabbit hunts are allowed throughout the small game season, except during quota hunts for deer and quail. A limit of three rabbits per person is enforced here.

Oconee WMA – The Oconee WMA covers 7,400 acres in the southern tip of Greene County.  Rabbit hunts are allowed throughout the small game season, except during firearms deer hunts. Hunters must sign in before hunting on this WMA.

The Ridge & Valley Region of Northwest Georgia features a single WMA that holds high numbers of rabbits.

Coosawattee WMA – This tract covers 2,040 acres in southwest Murray County. The entire small game season is open for rabbit hunts on this WMA.

Heading home from the hunt.

Jimmy Jacobs is the editor of Georgia Outdoor Adventures, as well as being editor/publisher of On The Fly South. He also is a member of the Georgia Outdoor Writers Association. He makes his home in Marietta with his English setters, Luke and Lulu. He can be contacted at jimmyjacobs970@gmail.com.