Are rabbits and muskrats considered small game or varmints in Ohio? The muskrats are undermining the banks of my pond, and the rabbits are destroying the vegetation around my house. They were nowhere to be seen during small game season, but are everywhere now. I'd like to get rid of them, but I don't want to get in trouble for hunting out of season.

Here you go:

www.dnr.state.oh.us/wi...nting.aspx

I'm not sure about Ohio but I know some states have depredation permits so you can eliminate nuisance critters.

I did look there before posting, but I couldn't find anything concrete. I was hoping that someone had experience with this, because calling the state is such a pain in the butt.

I can tell you what applies to crows, skunks, opossums and racoons; if they're causing a nuisance, they can be killed in Ohio legally at any time of the year with any legal weapon. It's not considered hunting, by the way, as long as you don't bait them, call them, etc.

As for rabbits (as long as they're cottontails and not the protected snowshoe hares) and muskrats; I suspect the rules are the same but I've never personally checked on those species. Wherever you live in Ohio, there must be a local wildlife officer. I never have trouble getting through to mine and he would be the source of an official answer. Actually, I've called the main Ohio office on a number of occasions and haven't had much problems getting through to them either.

I can tell you what applies to crows, skunks, opossums and racoons; if they're causing a nuisance, they can be killed in Ohio legally at any time of the year with any legal weapon. It's not considered hunting, by the way, as long as you don't bait them, call them, etc.

As for rabbits (as long as they're cottontails and not the protected snowshoe hares) and muskrats; I suspect the rules are the same but I've never personally checked on those species. Wherever you live in Ohio, there must be a local wildlife officer. I never have trouble getting through to mine and he would be the source of an official answer. Actually, I've called the main Ohio office on a number of occasions and haven't had much problems getting through to them either.

Gidday Robert...the way I read the Rules and Regulations, including Hunting Seasons and Trapping Seasons for Fur Bearing animals in the link posted by Punkin...I don't like your chances of getting rid of the muskrats and cottontails unless you can convince the Game Warden that they are a nuisance problem. The only "depredation permit" link I could find relates to Geese, and even that isn't "cut and dried" mate.

If you are smart, there are "ways and means" of dealing with your problems... just don't get caught.

Cheers, Vince

Try this.

codes.ohio.gov/orc/921.60

Depredation permits are available for nuisance geese and also for deer. I know, I took out a number of deer with nuisance permits last year. I've also talked with various game wardens and my local wildlife officer so, believe it or not, I know what I'm talking about.

ROBERT 795,out of the ohio hunt & trapping 2011 rabbits are a game animal w/a season also muskrat w/a season nov 10 2010 to mar 15 2011 on muskrats. hope that helps.

jeh7mmmag wrote:

Try this. codes.ohio.gov/orc/921.60

Started reading this James....now my head hurts...I think I'm gonna go have a coupla beers to straighten my head out mate.

Cheers, Vince

Rabbits and muskrats are considered small game here, as are coyote and wild hogs, which have no closed season, bag limit, or limitations on which weapons can be used. I would think you would probably have a hard time making a case that the rabbits need to be eliminated due to some landscaping damage. Try a commercially available repellant if you are worried 'bout getting in "trouble" by taking charge of the situation. Same with the "rats", trap the hell outta the pond when the season opens in the fall, and watch over yer shoulder the rest of the time...

If I "accidentally" leave some conibear 110's in the pond, do I have to worry about geese getting trapped?

In most, if not all states, game birds, ducks, and geese are protected from trapping. I don't think the game warden would take to kindly seeing a goose or duck trapped in a conibear.

hunterjoe21 wrote:

Rabbits and muskrats are considered small game here, as are coyote and wild hogs, which have no closed season, bag limit, or limitations on which weapons can be used. I would think you would probably have a hard time making a case that the rabbits need to be eliminated due to some landscaping damage.

You need to read the regs because you are wrong. Both rabbits and muskrats have designated seasons so you can't legally hunt them all year. I do suspect though, that both can be taken out of season if causing a nuisance but, since I've never personally had that issue, I've never checked on those particular animals.

By the way, what is so hard about talking to your local wildlife officer who will be happy to give you the real scoop?

If you decide to go for a passive method of control...something that will keep the critters out of a particular area, consider using citronella pellets. They work out here in Australia to keep the possums off the herb and vegie patch.

Cheers, Vince