The Rules - Q’s & rant

The information relating to the legal means for hunting in this state are very difficult to find. WMA regulations on page 2 of the maps as it relates to raccoons, coyotes, feral pigs, bobcats and such are hard to follow. Many if not all the WMA regs state “ Open during any other scheduled WMA hunting season using weapons and ammunition approved during those hunts. No dogs allowed. Daylight hours only. One fox per day.”

With that in mind I took to looking for another open season to review weapons choices available. Rabbit and squirrel seasons seamed to have a longish season. However, I can’t find the legal weapon so and ammunition for Rabbits and Squirrels within 220-2-.02 on the Outdoor Alabama website.

Does anybody know where the info is?

It might be they would be considered “Other game birds or animals”

Which WMA are you looking at? I checked Cahaba and Lowndes which both state for firearms: "Trapping: As Defined in 220-2-.30(2), except no .22 magnums are allowed."

It's also worth noting that they also both state that: "Nov. 2 – Feb. 29.Trapping permits must be obtained from Area Biologist..."

Cahaba and I’m looking at the hunting of raccoons, coyotes, etc not the trapping.

Ah sorry been looking at a lot of trapping info lately so my mind went right there...

Looking at the regs for 220-2 .02 ( http://www.alabamaadministrativecode.state.al.us/docs/con_/220-2.pdf ) for the "Remainder of Seasons" you'd have:
BOBCAT, GROUNDHOG, UNPROTECTED WILDLIFE, FOX,
COYOTE & FERAL SWINE:
• Rifles of any caliber.
• Handguns or pistols.
• Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller
• Long bows, compound bows, or crossbows.
• Muzzleloaders and black powder handguns of any caliber.
• Spear or sharpened blade.
• Raptors by properly permitted falconers

And

RACCOON & OPOSSUM:
• Nighttime hunting—Shotguns using No. 6 shot or smaller; .22
caliber rimfire firearms.
Day:
•Rifles using rimfire ammunition or those operated by air.
• Muzzleloaders and black powder handguns of any caliber.
• Long bows, compound bows, or crossbows.
• Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller, using standard No. 4 shot or
smaller.
• Handguns or pistols.
• Blowguns using darts propelled by the hunter’s breath only.
• Sling shots.
• Raptors by properly permitted falconers

Right but the line on the wma permit says the season for bobcats, yotes, etc on the WMA is open during hunt days for other animals using the weapons and ammunition authorized for those other animals.

So the question is when I go to the wma to hunt coyotes during Rabbit or Squirrel seasons what are the weapons and ammo available to me? I am very certain that during rabbit season I can’t use a rifle of any caliber to hunt rabbits. So the typical used weapons and ammo for coyotes isn’t what I can use during rabbit season on Cahaba WMA.

But I am unable to find what is ok to hunt rabbits with.

Well I could be totally off, but going by the regs above I'd say rabbits and squirrels would fall under unprotected animals which would mean that yes any rifle caliber would be acceptable during the remainder of the season. Which I take to mean outside of dear and turkey going by the wma regs.

I am confused by the regs I’ll admit. I always thought rabbits and squirrels was the group starting with rimfire. But it doesn’t spell it out. With the dadgum regs being so legalistic I expected it to be more specific as to those animals. I could very well be being thick headed here but it’s not very plain as day to me. I feel like Jethro ciphering cause naught plus naught ain’t coming up naught.

Yeah I know exactly what you mean. You could always go to the check station and see what they say.

I have had the same dilemma. I plan on doing some calling on non deer hunt days.

So I'm basically limited to rimfire (I have a .22 mag) or shotgun, no problem right?
I figured I'll use the shotgun so I ordered some #2 Hevi shot thinking I'm good.
I was thinking the rules stated #2 shot or smaller.
Then I see that for "Other game", swurls and such its #4 shot or SMALLER, which
is ridiculous for yotes.
HOWEVER!!! , for WATERFOWL you can use up to #2 shot. So, as long as its Duck
season I can shoot the #2's for Yotes, but when Duck season is over I have to use a
22 mag or #4 shot for yotes.

WHO MAKES THIS SH@# UP ANYWAY????????

oH, I forgot, when Turkey season comes in I'm good with the #2 shot again.
WTH does it matter what load I shoot at a Coyote??????????

I'm getting a headache trying to stay legal.

And don't get me started about having to pick up a Dang Daily Permit!!!!!!!

And OTTERS, why is it illegal to SHOOT an Otter? They can only be trapped.
I can trap an Otter in a leghold trap and shoot it in the head with a .22 but I cant
shoot the same animal while hunting????

I'll be here all week.