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By late winter, cottontail rabbit numbers dwindle toward the level needed to re-seed the population with spring-summer breeding.

Today is the final day of Kentucky’s rabbit hunting season for 2023-24, but that certainly doesn’t assure smooth sailing ahead for our bunnies.

While rabbits may be a favorite among small game hunters, there is much more than shotgun-packing sportsmen and bugling beagles to serve as potential sources of doom for these hedge hoppers. The part of regulated sport hunters in inflicting mortality on rabbits, indeed, is minimal compared to natural forces.

Steve Vantreese, a freelance outdoors writer, can be contacted at outdoors@paducahsun.com.

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