Lincoln, Neb. – This years Nebraska dove hunting season opens Sept. 1 and hunters are reminded they must register with the federally mandated Harvest Information Program (HIP) and must carry their registration number with them when hunting any migratory game birds -- dove, duck, geese, snipe, rail, coot or woodcock -- during the 2006 hunting seasons. The new number will remain valid through June 30, 2007.

The goal of the program is to help state and federal wildlife managers estimate the number of migratory birds harvested each year. Those estimates help biologists set limits and seasons, as well as help protect the tradition of hunting. The lack of information on huntings effect on wildlife has been used in court to challenge hunting in some states. HIP information is needed to counter the claims by those who would shut down migratory bird hunting seasons.

Registration is required of all migratory bird hunters, including residents, nonresidents, lifetime permit holders, veteran and senior permit holders. Only resident hunters under the age of 16 are exempted from registration. Registered hunters are assigned a number which they must carry with them while hunting.

Registration is free, easy and takes less than five minutes whether done online or by phone.

To register online anytime, day or night, go to www.Nehip.com. To register by phone, call the HIP 24-hour, toll-free number, 1-888-403-2473. The system can handle many calls simultaneously, so there shouldnt be a wait, but hunters should register early to avoid the anticipated rush as dove season approaches.

Lincoln, Neb. – Nebraskas 2006 cottontail rabbit hunting season will be Sept.1 though Feb. 28, 2007, giving hunters a full six months to hunt Americas number one game animal. The daily bag limit is seven cottontails, the possession limit is 28.

There are two species of cottontails in Nebraska. Look for the eastern cottontail in areas of heavy brush along the edges of grainfields, weed patches and swamps across the state. The desert cottontail is found in the Panhandle and in Nebraskas extreme Southwestern corner where there are areas of open grassland and sagebrush. Both weigh 2-3 pounds and measure about 12-inches long.

Cottontail rabbits are among the most challenging and rewarding small game species. Its not difficult or expensive to hunt them and there are plenty of rabbits within a 15 minute drive of nearly everyone in the state.

Rabbit hunting traditionally begins after the first light snowfall or hard freeze when the crops have been harvested and there is less cover to hide the rabbits. Some hunters, however, just cant wait to get into the field and begin hunting them when the season opens on Sept. 1.

Opening day is often one of the hottest and most humid days of the year and anyone hunting then should be equipped with insect repellent, drinking water, sunglasses and have a cooler of ice in the vehicle where game can be placed to protect it from spoiling in the heat.

Rabbits may be legally hunted 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. The first two or three hours in the morning are the coolest of the day, so thats the ideal time to be in the field. Coincidentally, rabbit habits have changed over the years. In the past it was common to see cottontails all day long, but recently they have become more active at night and are most commonly seen from dawn to about mid-morning and then again during the last couple of hours of daylight in the evening.

Its a waste of time to try and walk rabbits up when there is heavy cover on the ground. It is much more productive and easier to walk the field edges where vegetation is thinner and often shorter. Early in the year when cover is heavy it is harder to see a running rabbit, so the hunter must have excellent reflexes and be able to shoot quickly and accurately.

It will be cooler in the woods than in the open fields, and in the early season hunting thin strips of timber growing along small creeks is often productive. In these areas limbs and branches often fall into patches of weeds, creating ideal spots for rabbits to hide from predators, keep cool in the shade and have easy access to water. Often there is little weed growth among the trees, which makes it easier to spot a rabbit as it ventures out to feed or tries to sneak away from danger.

Hunters can use just about any type of firearm , within reason, for rabbit hunting, from the tiny .22-caliber rifle loaded with “.22 short” rimfire cartridges to heavy 12-gauge magnum shotguns and black-powder rifles. Some archers use arrows with broadheads, blunts or “judo” points to hunt rabbits and some hunters use pistols. Some even hunt bunnies with powerful sling shots.

In Nebraska, most rabbits are probably killed with a full-choke 12-gauge shotgun loaded with shotshells containing magnum loads on No. 6 shot. Thats because most hunters who kill rabbits in Nebraska do so while actually pursuing pheasants or quail. But the hunter who goes specifically after rabbits generally chooses somewhat less power, though opinions vary widely as to exactly what is the optimum combination for rabbits. It usually comes down to personal choice, but any shotgun from 12- to 28-gauge loaded with 2 3/4-inch field loads containing an ounce of No. 4, 5, 6, or 7 1/2 shot will do the trick. Because most shots are taken between 10 and 35 yards at fast-moving rabbits ducking and dodging erratically toward or through some type of cover, hunters find a modified or improved cylinder choke to be the best choice.

Finding a good rabbit hunting area is not difficult. Though roughly 98 percent of the land in Nebraska is privately owned, there are some 300 state and federal public areas encompassing about 800,000 acres where public hunting is allowed. Many rural landowners will allow rabbit hunting on their property, but it is imperative that the hunter receive the landowners permission before trespassing or hunting on private land.

Game taken when the weather is hot must be quickly dressed and cooled to preserve the quality and flavor of the meat and rabbits are no exception. In the field, immediately gut the rabbit and prop the body cavity open with a stick to help cool the meat, as you would when field dressing a deer. As soon as you return to your vehicle, skin the rabbit, remove head, feet and tail, and put the carcass on ice in a cooler. Never put the meat into a plastic bag until it is thoroughly cooled. At home, finish cleaning the carcass by removing hairs and small bits entrails that may remain in the body cavity. Wash the carcass well in the sink and rinse well with cold, running water. Then place the meat in a container filled with water, such as an old milk carton, and freeze it. Or, pat the meat dry and then wrap it in regular butcher paper and freeze. Label and date the container or package to avoid confusion later.

Nebraska has a number of public hunting lands that offer outstanding rabbit hunting. For a complete list of Nebraskas public hunting lands, their sizes, locations, species available and special area regulations, pick up a free copy of the Nebraska Hunting Guide at any Game and Parks Commission office or from any of hundreds of permit vendors across the state. A few of the most popular rabbit hunting areas include: Wagon Train Lake WMA, near Hickman; Osage WMA, 618 acres near Tecumseh; Wildwood WMA, 491 acres near Agnew; Harlan County Reservoir WMA, 17,278 acres near Alma; Brazile Creek WMA, 4,500 acres near Niobrara; Sacramento WMA, 3,023 acres near Wilcox; and Merritt Reservoir WMA, 6,156 acres near Valentine.

Wherever you hunt, remember to wear hunter orange so you will be easily seen and identified by other hunters. The law does not require upland game hunters to wear hunter orange, but doing so just might save your life.