McClintic has been written about many times in the pages of this magazine, not only as a destination for rabbits but also for just about any large or small-game species. The reason is the dazzling diversity of habitat that exists. McClintic features some 600 acres of farmland, 1,100 acres of brush land, 180 acres of wetlands, and 1,775 acres of mixed hardwoods. Edge habit is seemingly everywhere.

Of course, given its reputation, the McClintic WMA attracts rabbit hunters not only from Mason County but also from around District V. Still, even the late-season hunter should be able to enjoy some good hound and beagle escapades.

A second public land that Hall is high on is the Hillcrest WMA in Hancock County. This District I domain, like McClintic, is known for a diversity of habitat across its 2,212 acres. As one would expect of a District I rabbit hotspot, the topography is not steep, as the elevations range from 1,000 to 1,280 feet.

Habitat types include overgrown fields, old orchards, crop fields and scattered oak-hickory stands. Indeed, an old-time rabbit hunter visiting this public land will be reminded of what prime rabbit habitat looked like back in the 1950s and thereabouts. An additional incentive for a sojourn is that Tomlinson Run State Park is fewer than two miles away. Sportsmen may want to consider camping there and hunting for several days at Hillcrest. For more information on planning a stay at Tomlinson Run or at any state park, call (800) CALL-WVA.

Another public land that Hall suggests is Bluestone Lake WMA in southern West Virginia. This District IV public land is one that I have hunted on several times in recent years, and I can well understand why the biologist lists it as a possible destination. Bluestone sprawls over 18,019 acres in Monroe, Summers and Mercer counties and has been extensively managed for years by several WMA supervisors.

The result is an outstanding mix of habitats. Great places to look for rabbits are in the area's many fields and openings that have been created, improved upon, or seeded in wildlife mixes. In some of those openings, I have found fruit trees, brushpiles, and even the odd old building, are the types of places that rabbits naturally will be drawn to.

The natural habitat is similarly appealing. The New River forms one of the public land's boundaries and some rich bottomland exists. The steep mountainsides and cliffs don't offer much for rabbits, but hunters can follow the old logging roads that wind through the highlands and locate plenty of openings. I have bumped rabbits while hunting along those roads, especially the roads that have been seeded. I have camped on the Bluestone Lake WMA several times and, of course, the namesake state park is another place where lodging is available. I have spent a number of nights at the park as well, and heartily recommend both it and the WMA as a place to stay.

A fourth possibility is the Shannondale Springs WMA in the Eastern Panhandle. This District II public land contains 1,361 acres in Jefferson County. The Shannondale Springs WMA lies along the Shenandoah River and as such boasts a great deal of bottomland terrain. The elevation tops out at just 700 feet, so this public land is lacking in steep terrain.

The best place to look for cottontails is the brush land and old fields that characterize portions of Shannondale. There is not as much of this type of habitat as that which exists on McClintic, but enough can be found that rousting up some rabbits is a distinct possibility.

The final locale that Hall lists is the Pleasants Creek WMA in District I. A relatively small public land at 3,030 acres, Barbour and Taylor counties share it. Mixed hardwoods exist on this WMA, but where cottontails are most likely to be encountered are in the edge areas where wetlands adjoin forests.

Tygart Lake State Park is nearby and offers a number of cabins. Camping is also available at the WMA itself.

Creating Rabbit Habitat
Some 20 years ago, a wildlife biologist told me that if sportsmen wanted more rabbits to pursue, they should create what he called "rabitat," that is habitat that rabbits are drawn to. A good example of rabbit habitat can now be found on the 29-acre tract I live on.