Rabbit Season 2026–27

01 — Opening dates, earliest first

“Opens” is the earliest date anywhere in that state, and “First segment” names what that date belongs to — a state can run two zones on different calendars, and a youth season ahead of both. States split seasons into segments with closed weeks between them, so read the state page before you plan a date.

02 — What changes from state to state

Species are regulated apart where more than one is present. Oklahoma sets separate daily and possession limits for cottontail, swamp rabbit and jackrabbit — and closes jackrabbit east of Interstate 35 entirely; Pennsylvania lists snowshoe hare as its own short season alongside cottontail.

Weapon rules can be tighter than for other small game. Arkansas caps rifles and handguns at .22 rimfire and bars slugs, unless a modern-gun deer, bear or coyote season happens to be open at the same time.

Zones and gaps appear where you would not expect them. Kentucky splits the state into an eastern and a western zone with different closing dates, and its eastern zone pauses for the deer opener.

03 — FAQ