With regard to public land, the state's WMAs provide over 1 million acres of hunting opportunity. Virtually all of these hold at least some squirrels, and many are overrun with the critters.

Squirrel season opens on Aug. 15 each year, with many WMAs providing early squirrel action. But as the season progresses, you should check the regulations for specific WMAs, since small-game hunts are prohibited during managed deer hunts.

According to Steve Ruckel, the squirrels haunting out public lands are seriously underexploited. Some promising WMAs to target are Dixon Forest, Ocmulgee, Cohutta, Cedar Creek and Altamaha -- but, again, wherever you find hardwoods you'll find some squirrels.

RABBITS
In Georgia, rabbits rank third behind doves and squirrels in small-game hunting popularity.

Four species live in Georgia, the most common being the eastern cottontail, whose habitat includes upland areas associated with agricultural fields, pine woodlands and brushy areas. Brown to grey in color, they feature a white spot on their foreheads.

The swamp rabbit (often called "cane-cutter") is the largest species in Georgia. It has black to rusty-brown fur and a white underside. Swamp rabbits live in bottomland-hardwood and beaver-pond habitat along rivers and creeks in the Piedmont.

The Appalachian cottontail, similar in size and appearance to the eastern cottontail, often has a black spot between the ears instead of the white spot on the forehead. Confining themselves to high mountain elevations, these rabbits are rare.

The marsh rabbit is the smallest found in Georgia. It has a blackish to reddish brown back with a brownish gray underside, not white as in the other three species. Its ears and tail also are smaller. Marsh rabbits usually inhabit open marsh areas associated with the coastal plain, particularly along coastal river systems.

In Georgia rabbits begin breeding after the first warm days in February and typically continue until early November. They can have three to seven litters per year and typically select different nest locations for each litter. A female rabbit can breed on the same day that she gives birth. Litter sizes range from three to five young. Female rabbits produce an average of 20 young per year.

Approximately 80 percent of the rabbit population dies of some cause each year. A major cause of this mortality is predation, since rabbits rank high on the list of preferred foods for many predators.

Rabbits eat parts of more than 100 species of plants. Important winter foods include honeysuckle, lespedeza, blackberry and greenbrier.

A cottontail's home range rarely exceed 11 acres, and the animal heartily dislikes straying from it -- which explains why rabbits often run in small circles when chased by dogs. Areas featuring a mixture of grassy and brushy vegetation are optimal habitat for cottontails. Because rabbits rate so high with predators, escape cover is always close to a food source.

Look for rabbits around agricultural fields that containing some fencerows, or edge areas left in a natural state. Thickets of blackberry, honeysuckle, plum or other dense, low-growing vegetation are ideal rabbit hides.

HIT THE WOODS AND FIELDS
So there you have it: If you want some action with small game this fall, plenty of it's to be had on private and public land. Be it snipe, grouse, squirrels or rabbits, the hunting can be fun and exciting.