(Lewis) A lot of hunting seasons are firing up. John Lorenzen, Fisheries Biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says both rabbit and squirrel seasons kicked off on Saturday, September 5. The rabbit season runs to January 31, and the squirrel season goes until January 31.
Lorenzen says about 90,000 cottontail rabbits have been harvested annually, and about 100,000 squirrels have been harvested annually over the last ten years. Hunters can harvest ten cottontail rabbits per day, with a bag limit of 20, and six squirrels per day with a possession limit of 12. Jackrabbits are not legal to harvest in Iowa at this time due to population declines, so the rabbit season is only for cottontails.
Additionally, the Teal-only season opened on September 5, and runs just nine days. Lorenzen says Teal typically migrate early, which is why this season exists.
Lorenzen says the daily bag limit is 6 for those interested in heading out to hunt.
