A Hunting Tale

James writes to ask: Can you hunt jack rabbit in Arizona and if so…what is the season?

Well, I don’t know about in Arizona, but near my ranch in New Mexico, no one really turns a … hare… if you shoot one that’s in your garden. (I couldnt’ resist - my neighbor has been making threats about the Desert Cottontails and Black-Tailed Jackrabbits here, who demolished his garden this spring)

However, the black-tailed jackrabbit (really a hare), is not listed as a game species by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Thus, no hunting season for them. I doubt anyone would get freaked out if you shot one in your garden, but I don’t think you can just go out and hunt them.

Now, if you wanted to go after the Cottontail Rabbits instead - the hunting season is year round with a daily bag limit of 10 rabbits.

Here is a link to the Arizona Game and Fish Department website, the hunting section.

Summer