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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: rabbitReturn

Learn to Hunt program opens registration for rabbit workshop

• 9/5/2023 1:09:00 PM
• View Count 4811

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a program to teach skills needed to hunt, field dress and cook rabbits to youth and adults who have little to no small game hunting experience.

Iowa’s rabbit, squirrel season opens Sept. 2

• 8/29/2023 2:23:00 PM
• View Count 3639

The good news for Iowa’s cottontail rabbit hunters is that Iowa has an abundant rabbit population, with the south-central part of the state seeing the best overall numbers. The better news for hunters is Iowa’s cottontail rabbit season begins Sept. 2 statewide.

Iowa’s rabbit, squirrel season opens Sept. 3

• 8/30/2022 1:39:00 PM
• View Count 7145

The good news for Iowa’s cottontail rabbit hunters is that Iowa has an abundant rabbit population, with the south-central part of the state seeing the best overall numbers. The better news for hunters is Iowa’s cottontail rabbit season begins Sept. 3 statewide.

Iowa’s wild rabbit populations remain free of deadly virus

• 10/19/2021 7:12:00 PM
• View Count 1686

State wildlife experts are on the lookout for a new virus impacting native rabbit and hare populations. Following an initial outbreak in New Mexico in March 2020, the virus causing rabbit hemorrhagic disease is considered stable-endemic in Arizona, Colorado, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.

Iowa’s rabbit, squirrel season opens Sept. 4

• 8/31/2021 11:46:00 AM
• View Count 2617

The good news for Iowa’s cottontail rabbit hunters is that Iowa has an abundant rabbit population, with the southern and east central part of the state seeing the best overall numbers. The better news for hunters is Iowa’s cottontail rabbit season begins Sept. 4 statewide.

Learn to Hunt program opens registration for virtual squirrel and rabbit hunting workshop

• 10/27/2020 2:25:00 PM
• View Count 2401

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a free virtual workshop to teach skills needed to hunt, field dress and cook squirrel and rabbit to individuals who have little to no hunting experience.

Iowa’s rabbit, squirrel season opens Sept. 5

• 8/25/2020 1:42:00 PM
• View Count 14244

The good news for Iowa’s cottontail rabbit hunters is that Iowa has a strong population of rabbits, similar to last year, with the southern and east central part of the state seeing the best overall numbers. The better news for hunters is Iowa’s cottontail rabbit season begins Sept. 5 statewide.

Pheasant, quail, rabbit, dove and partridge harvest all down in 2019

• 8/25/2020 1:21:00 PM
• View Count 3015

Pheasant hunters harvested nearly 284,000 roosters in Iowa during the 2019 season, which was the second highest harvest in the last decade. In 2018, hunters harvested an estimated 320,000 roosters.

New virus strain impacting rabbit populations

• 5/19/2020 1:27:00 PM
• View Count 2960

State wildlife experts are on the lookout for a new virus impacting the native rabbit and hare populations in Texas, Arizona, Colorado, California and New Mexico.

Iowa’s rabbit, squirrel season opens Aug. 31

• 8/20/2019 12:22:00 PM
• View Count 15756

The good news for Iowa’s cottontail rabbit hunters is that Iowa has a strong population of rabbits, similar to last year, with only the east central part of the state seeing a decline in numbers. The better news for hunters is Iowa’s cottontail rabbit season begins Aug. 31 statewide.

Pheasant, quail, rabbit, dove and partridge harvest all increased in 2018

• 8/13/2019 4:05:00 PM
• View Count 3166

Pheasant hunters’ harvested nearly 320,000 roosters in Iowa during the 2018 season, which was the highest harvest total since 2008. In 2017, hunters harvested an estimated 221,000 roosters.

Cool things you should know about jackrabbits

• 3/5/2019 9:29:00 AM
• View Count 19343

Once a well-known resident of Iowa’s grasslands, the white-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) calls Iowa home in much lower numbers today due to loss of habitat. However, they still remain one of Iowa’s most interesting mammals!

Iowa’s rabbit season opens Sept. 1

• 8/21/2018 12:42:00 PM
• View Count 10890

The good news for Iowa’s cottontail rabbit hunters is that Iowa has a lot of rabbits with the southern third and the east central region of the state leading the way. The better news for hunters is Iowa’s cottontail rabbit season begins Sept. 1 statewide.

Hunting seasons starting to close

• 1/3/2017 12:18:00 PM
• View Count 4716

Iowa’s pheasant, late muzzleloader and archery deer, and archery fall turkey seasons close on Jan. 10.  Furbearer seasons, squirrel, quail, partridge and grouse remain open until Jan. 31.

8 cool things you should know about rabbits

• 10/5/2016 3:03:00 PM
• View Count 44338

Rabbits are a common pet, pest and prey, but how much do you really know about them? Check out the facts below to see why bunnies are important in Iowa and around the world.

Iowa's Rabbit Season Opens September 3

• 8/16/2016 1:48:00 PM
• View Count 9260

Iowa’s cottontail rabbit season opens Sept. 3. Cottontails can be found in every county but higher populations are found in southeast and south central Iowa.

Iowa's Pheasant Population Jumps 37 Percent; Quail Highest Count in 21 Years

• 9/1/2015 12:00:00 PM
• View Count 15835

Iowa’s pheasant population increased for the second year in a row to a statewide average of 24 birds, up 37 percent over 2014. This is the highest bird count since 2008 for most of the state, and in southeast Iowa, it’s the highest count in more than a decade.

Five Awesome Outdoorsy Spring Recipes

• 5/1/2015 5:34:00 AM
• View Count 18031

Set the table, because spring in Iowa is a great time to fill the frying pan and warm up the grill for the best of Iowa's outdoors, from crappie and turkey to morels and wild asparagus.