33 replies to this topic

[Air Rifle Hunter]

Since I am a fairly new to hunting and I am planning on doing some rabbit hunting (hopefully soon) I wanted to ask those of you with a great deal more experience a few questions. So here goes:1. Are there times during the rabbit hunting season that the rabbits are either more or less desireable to eat?2. I understand that one should always wear protective gloves/clothing when handling and skinning/cleaning rabbits (an other animals for that matter) due to certain diseases (Tularemia (to name a bad one) and Myxy to name another). Other than examining the liver for spots and the color of the meat for odd/strange discolorations, are there any other ways to tell if a rabbit has something that would make it unhealthy or undesireable for a person to consume?3. Other than physical contact with an animals blood is there anything else one should avoid?4. Are there any other items when handling rabbits (or other animals) that have been harvested with the intent for consumption that I should be concerned about or consider? Thanks in advance for the helpful comments.

[CBR400RR]

I think rabbits are safer to eat when the weather is colder, less parasites. Also the rabbits are out more very early or later in the evening.

[Bisley]

Watch out for ticks. I mostly see them on jacks in the summer, but be wary. An old theory is to only shoot them in months that end in "R", but this was usually meant to refer to only hunt them in cold winter months since the first freeze usually kills the bot fly larvae. Truth is though, some don't have them in the summer months and some will have them even in the winter months still since it doesn't get that cold in ALL areas. The larvae will not harm you if cook the meat thoroughly, but at first sight they are a little intimidating. Them damn things are uglier than me though! (NOW THAT'S PRETTY UGLY) But they are harmless if the meat is cooked properly after they slither away.See, not quite as ugly as me, but damn close.

[Air Rifle Hunter]

First I want to say 'Thank you' for the replies CBR400RR and Bisley. Next, if I understand correctly, it is better or safer to wait until mid to late September to hunt rabbits if one intends to eat them? I've read many articles on the internet in the last month and have read about this and seen the "R" month hunting comments. I've also seen the Warbles in articles here, in the California Predators Club Forums. Thanks for the pictures Bisley... those are some pretty nasty looking little critters! I know there is a great deal of information on the internet, but just wanted to ask those of you who have more and perhaps, better experience when hunting these animals. I trust the words of those who have the years and experience of hunting and "do" more than just reading articles on the net that some book worm may have written. I know around here in the East County of San Diego, the temperatures are usually still fairly warm to hot, sometimes even into October. In the areas with more mountains and higher elevation (towards Alpine, Julian, Descanso and more towards the desert) I know it gets cold at night and in the morning but can still get warm during the day (from what I have experienced). It even snows in the mountains near Apline, Descanso and Julian in Winter time around here. Is there a certain low temperature that is considered to be a "frost" type of cold temperature? Is there anything that can be done to help prevent getting bitten by the ticks, like some type of spray-on repellent? Or possibly steps that can be taken during handling to remove the ticks or fleas with minimal contact? I really want to go rabbit hunting, however, not at the expense of killing the rabbits and then not being able to eat them or putting others that might eat them at any risk. I also plan to skin and tan the hides and don't want to chance being bitten by the little blood suckers. Well, I feel like I've rambled on long enough. Once again, thank you all. I really appreciate the replies. I know I have a great deal of catching up to do in learning all of the different aspects of hunting and the knowledge to do so safely.

[Bisley]

The "R" thing never made much sense to me since winter time in San Diego is nowhere close to winter time in the Sierra Mountains. While yes I'm sure a good freeze or frost would help to kill them off, if you can get over the mental fact that those critters were in there, it doesn't matter much. And they are not really embedded into the meat, more like in between the skin (fur) and the meat. Just cook thoroughly and try not to think about them while eating, or let the family know about them, so y'all don't As for the ticks and such, I just throw them in a trash bag or plastic grocery bag, spray some Raid flea & tick killer in there, then let them sit for a bit whether I see them on the rabbit or not. Seems to work for me. I can attest to what happens too when you do not use gloves. I am STUBBORN and set in my ways some times, and still refuse to wear gloves. I hate not being able to feel things with my hands. But I did clean a cottontail once that had some kind of white fluid like milk in it (DO NOT WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT WAS). I tossed the rabbit, but the next day my eyes were so swollen I literally could not see! Thank God my buddy brought some Benadryl with him or I would never have made it since we were in seperate trucks. You would think I would learn, but no..........(Remember, I'm STUBBORN) So use glove, unlike me!This is just what I have learned over the years. I am sure there are others with different (or even better) ideas out there that will chime in. Good luck, and don't forget to post pictures!!! Must....have.....pictures.....

[Air Rifle Hunter]

Thanks! I sincerely appreciate all the good advice. And I will document and post pictures once I actually get out to go on some hunts.

[Thumper Dunker]

We are in california it never gets that cold to matter cold weather will not kill parasites old wifes tale. Eat them any time you want. Been eating them sence july 1st. Every year.

[Air Rifle Hunter]

We are in california it never gets that cold to matter cold weather will not kill parasites old wifes tale. Eat them any time you want. Been eating them sence july 1st. Every year.

What about killin' off the blood suckers like fleas and ticks. The cold weather helps with that... doesn't it? I know where I camp in the hills near Descanso/Julian that during the summer we have found ticks now and then after hiking, but during the colder months of Winter and early Spring I can't remember us having any problems with them. I'm not trying to argue or start anything with anyone, I'm just trying to understand, that is all.

[turkeyman85]

I dont want to sound mean cause Im not...If you have issues with the game you kill maybe you shouldnt be hunting. Anything that you take form nature to eat, cook throughly and if your worried about it,come close to burning it. Im sure nothing can survive fire. And if you just want the skins just donate to a local soup kitchen or something. Our sport is truely just that a sport. We really dont need to go and kill something cause we need food,but it is a plus to eat your game. I love eating rabbits roasted over a fire like a lil pig lol and I have never had problem with them. Just make sure they are "WELL DONE"! and thats serious cause than you can get sick. If your like me and dont like eating food thats dry,put them in some kind of sauce trust it makes a difference.I know I felt bad about one of the turkeys we got this year since I rushed cooking it and it was kinda bad tasting. But you live and learn. Hope you get some and end up loving them rabbits, Because they are really really good.

[Bisley]

What about killin' off the blood suckers like fleas and ticks. The cold weather helps with that... doesn't it? I know where I camp in the hills near Descanso/Julian that during the summer we have found ticks now and then after hiking, but during the colder months of Winter and early Spring I can't remember us having any problems with them. I'm not trying to argue or start anything with anyone, I'm just trying to understand, that is all.

Fleas are not as much of a concern in desert areas. Deserts are arid (dry) land and fleas like more humid (moist) habitats. So yes, kinda, winter helps with fleas, but not so much because of the cold, but more so because it gets very dry in the winter. Think about how your skin dries out in the winter time. Ticks on the other hand are a different story. Once their host starts to lose body heat, they will be looking for a new source real soon. You will many times see a bunch of ticks in the ears of rabbits, mainly jacks. This does not bother me since I (I know others like to argue different) don't care for jacks, but love cottontails. Why go through all the "prep" work to make them edible when cottontails naturally taste that way? But, again, that's just me. Why hunt beef jerky when sirloin lives in the same neighborhood? I suppose you COULD serve it to your dog or those annoying, uninvited dinner guests , but back on point here. This is why I like the plastic grocery bag thing. Put the freshly killed rabbit in there, spray before it cools, tie the bag up (keeps the ticks and smell of spray inside as a bonus), and then throw it in your vest for a short spell. only take a few seconds. Doesn't weigh anything to carry the bags. Doesn't harm the fur or meat. DOES kill the ticks. Win, win, win situation. You don't come across that very often in life. And if you (or someone in your family) is a hardcore recycle Nazi, you can even rinse out and reuse the plastic bags .Turkeyman, doesn't sound like he has issues with the game he kills, just (legitimate) issues with the creepy crawly things that can be found on them. And while it does not bother me (stubborn, stupid, you call it) I can absolutely understand his concern, especially if considering taking little ones (kids). Lyme disease, plague, etc....

We are in california it never gets that cold to matter

Sure wish I could convince myself of that during those November quail and chukar hunts in Yo-Yo (Inyo) county!!! Buuuuurrrrrrrr!!!!! We throw snowballs at them when we run out of shells or when they won't flush Two words: PEPPERMINT SCHNAPPS

[ShooterJohn]

Just skin them out in the field and you can leave any critters there. Fleas and ticks leave quickly once an animal is killed.

[Braz]

And just one quick comment Bisley, the cottontails do taste great, but so do the Jacks. And with the Jacks, you can take them all year long! Big plus.

[Air Rifle Hunter]

Turkeyman, doesn't sound like he has issues with the game he kills, just (legitimate) issues with the creepy crawly things that can be found on them. And while it does not bother me (stubborn, stupid, you call it) I can absolutely understand his concern, especially if considering taking little ones (kids). Lyme disease, plague, etc....

Thank you all for your input, information and ideas. I like alot of these ideas. And you are right Bisley, I don't have any issues with the game I kill. I have been and outdoors type of person all my life and enjoy eating game I harvest. As far as dealing with outdoor type things I've been through poison oak and poison ivy (and never been affected by it, maybe by luck), dealt with rattle snakes and water moccasins, watched a bear in Yosemite drink beer out of a neighboring camper's drink cooler and get wasted before it called it's cub down the tree and left the area (I was about 7 when I saw that) and dealt with many other outdoor type situations. My concerns are in fact about spreading something bad to my little daughter or my wife. And I would also hate to be affected by something that I didn't catch in time that would leave them without me or with me in a useless state. I can be stubborn at times and I'm usually not too concerned about myself, but like I mentioned, more about my family. I like your idea Bisley of spraying the critter and putting it in tied a plastic bag. I'm getting a field bag to carry when hunting so that would be a good way to wrap and place them in the field bag. What do you use to spray them anyway and where do you purchase it? Once again, thankyou all for your replies to this thread. I'm learning a good deal.

[Bisley]

And just one quick comment Bisley, the cottontails do taste great, but so do the Jacks. And with the Jacks, you can take them all year long! Big plus.

Definitely right about the plus on being able to hunt jacks year round, but I have to stop at that. I always make it a point to say I don't like them, since I know others do. We have a guy that loves them, which works out great for me. I think everyone should try it ONCE. I think a person should be warned though also. But in hindsight, I guess it does sound like discouraging from trying. Unintentional, and my bad. But I know it's not just me. Most the guys I hunt with did not like eating rabbit at all. When asked why, they had complaints about the taste, texture, stringyness, all the same reasons I do not care for it. Once we threw cottontails on the fire, whole new ball game. But I also have to admit that none of us are great chefs either, and tend to just cook meat without a lot of prep (spices, sauces, seasonings, etc.). Cottontail is definitely much more suited to our "style" of cooking. But what do I know? I'm the guy that will take shrimp over lobster every day of the week. (don't hate lobster, just LOVE shrimp more)

I like your idea Bisley of spraying the critter and putting it in tied a plastic bag. I'm getting a field bag to carry when hunting so that would be a good way to wrap and place them in the field bag. What do you use to spray them anyway and where do you purchase it? Once again, thankyou all for your replies to this thread. I'm learning a good deal.

I use my upland bird vest. Jut because it's called "upland" vest doesn't mean rabbits or snakes (love my rattler hatbands almost as much as I love my Stetsons) won't fit in the game pouch in the back. I've had mine for years that I found on sale somewhere (Ridgecrest Wal-Mart I believe) that was very inexpensive, not so heavy so as to be hot, and made by one of my favorite manufacturers- Natural Gear. No need to get get carried away when buying one. And then just plain old Raid flea killer.And while thanks are not needed (but always appreciated) PICTURES HOWEVER WILL BE A MUST!

[rude robert]

Bisley, what do you spray them with, flea and tick spray, when you put them in the bag?? I have shot two jacks, the first one, i dressed and skinned like a deer and cut my finger because the knife was too big for the job. I was just checking it out to see if I can. The second jack i shot there wasn't much left I thought, plus, I still had too big a knife didn't want to cut my finger again lol. I have the buck knife 278 too big hehe

[Bisley]

Bisley, what do you spray them with, flea and tick spray, when you put them in the bag??

Yup. I am never THAT far away from my ride when I take rabbits. I usually have my dad (legs aren't what they used to be) or nephew (still learning patience) with me, so I just do a quick spray down and clean em all (if more than one) back at the truck. It's (mentally) just as easy for me to clean a handful as it is to clean one since I'm already in "cleaning mode". Again, I'm talking about lifting them by their back feet, spraying one side, turn, spray the other, then drop, tie, and put in you vest. I'm not talking dowse them til they're dripping wet. The spray will not disperse since tying it keeps the "fumes" in the bag. And it is not like it was dropped in a 5 gallon bucket so it will seep into the meat.I started doing this as an adapted/altered/modified version of what I used to see a guy do with coyotes. He had a borderline OCD fear of disease, but loved to varmint hunt. Only he would use trash bags. I will do it about 50% of the time or less when I'm alone, but started doing every time with the "old"man and "young"kid years back after a cousin caught Lyme disease (unrelated to rabbits). The old and young are the most endangered after infection, so they say. That's kinda why (I figured) I knew why the concerns were there for ARH. I'm not always as stupid as I look........................... sometimes I'm much worse!!! We have yet to have a complaint one about smell or taste or sickness from consumption after being sprayed too.

[ShooterJohn]

I just like to skin and gut them and throw them in the ice chest.

[turkeyman85]

bisley that is a good Idea. And I know some guys dont want to catch something or have their families catch something. But is it more likely to catch something right after the kill, and not from eating it(of course cook throughly). I hate nasty lil bugs myself and spray myself and even go as far as using sage smoke to help with bugs. Also I've never tasted jacks and I think I never will lol but thats just me.....Braz can have them lol.But I know this fall I'll be taking some cotton tails for sure. And another thing, you just skin them really quick why your hunting? Its pretty easy and you only need one cut with a knife. I do that just so those lil nasties dont crawl around in my vest and on to my skin lol.

[Bisley]

bisley that is a good Idea. And I know some guys dont want to catch something or have their families catch something. But is it more likely to catch something right after the kill, and not from eating it(of course cook throughly).

As far as fleas or ticks go, you are actually less likely to get "boarded" by them right after death, while they are still warm. They will start to leave their host as body temps drop. But for me it is the very rare occasion that I am away from the truck for more than an hour or so, thus I prefer to clean my rabbits like my fish, all at one time and not on the spot. As I said, that's just me, which is why I use the bags. I also have been known to take a hide or two home for the nephews to show and tell to other neighborhood kids, or just play with until the family pet gets a hold of it. In which case I don't want nothing jumping off while I have the hide in my pouch either, so I spray and wait. Like I said too, most the ticks I see are in the long, moist ears of jacks, which I don't usually deal with. Maybe a hide or two here or there. I just spray the cottontails more for precaution than anything when around others. It makes them feel better too. But that's the great thing here, we all have different methods, ideas, and ways of doing things and none of it is usually really "wrong" per se. That's why you GOTTA love this place, and this country.As far as eating the jacks, you really should try it at least once turkeyman. Who knows, you may end up liking it. The worst case scenario is that you don't like it, but at least gave it a try. I only know I don't like it simply because I have tried it before. Your tastes may be different. It's not like it's rancid or nothing, just not what I prefer in a meat.

[TonyS]

I'm with SJ, the rest of you guys are looking for problems.

[Bisley]

I'm with SJ, the rest of you guys are looking for problems.

So what do you do if you save the fur? Please don't tell me you clean it right there and throw the hide in your bag where everything jumps off after it starts cooling? Now that's asking for (itchy) problems. Of course, if you never save it, it's not much a problem. Lots of us do though. But again, some prefer to clean all at one time, others on the spot. But I fail to see how using a spray that is intended just for that particular pest is "asking" for trouble. If anything, handling them longer (even right after death) with NO spray would more likely be considered "asking" for a problem. Remember, the "don't usually" leave the host until quite some time after death. Two very important words there. Either way you do it, be safe and be sure to check yourself when you get home.

[ShooterJohn]

I don't save rabbit fur as it is difficult to deal with and slips very easily. If you skin them when you get them you just pull the skin apart on the belly and pop it right off no knife needed.

[Thumper Dunker]

I skin and clean them as i get them ,put them in a ziplock and tos them in the ice chest. You can use the skin and guts for coyote scent,decoy or catfish bait.

[TonyS]

If you want the skin then after you skin and gut the bunny throw the skin in a garbage bag. Then take it home, get a board, stretch and salt it. After it dries you can either use one of the tanning solutions or send it off to a tannery. But I would not spray it with bug spray in any way. Chance of chemical reaction.Bugs, if any, will jump off once they know there is no food source. Do it in the garage so they don't end up in your bed.

[Turas]

Crap, I really wish I'd read this page before I started cottontail. This is some of the best advice I've ever encountered on rabbit hunting. Thanks for kicking this off, ARH, and all of you for adding to this thread. Sharing info like this is how our sport keeps on.

[Bisley]

Bugs, if any, will jump off once they know there is no food source. Do it in the garage so they don't end up in your bed.

Or spray them (which does not have any chemical reaction) in a bag so you never have to worry about them around your house, period

I don't save rabbit fur as it is difficult to deal with and slips very easily. If you skin them when you get them you just pull the skin apart on the belly and pop it right off no knife needed.

Yes, it can be a little easier (some times) when done right away, I don't find it very hard an hour or so later. And I also don't care if it gets a little torn either, I usually just salt em a little and let the flies work on em first, then just rub a little baby powder into the fur. It makes it pliable (but not resistant to hardening if wet) when done. The kids love to play with them (I don't know why) and in the end the dog's REALLY love them. Even if they don't last long, it's still a little better than tossing it. Besides, it's good practice.

I skin and clean them as i get them ,put them in a ziplock and tos them in the ice chest. You can use the skin and guts for coyote scent,decoy or catfish bait.

If you are out just for rabbit this works well, like you guys say, cleaning them on the spot. But another reason I started using a bag and spray (besides being lazy and only wanting to get dirty once) is because some of ours are taken during bird season, with sidearms, as a game of opportunity. And hunting birds always comes first!!! Clean later, hunt birds now............

[oz_fox_hunter]

We don't have Tulamaria down here but like SJ said, fleas and ticks leave the dead animal within a few minutes. I'll always gut the rabbit where it dropped and leave the skin on until getting back home. Makes them a lot lighter to carry and the skin keeps the flies off the flesh.There should be no need for sprays. During summer rabbits here are infested with 'rabbit flea', deliberately introduced by the government to spread the control viruses, and if you lay the dead animal on the ground the fleas will vacate it within a couple of minutes.

[Bisley]

And wait for a new host to show up.......which is guess who........... you, when you go back to pick it up. Yes, they will leave right away, only to wait in brush and shrub and such near by. Where does everybody think they do when they abandon the cold body. They don't catch a plane to Cancun for a vacation and new host . They latch onto something close by (vegetation in this case) and wait for a warm ticket out, aka you, going back to pick up the carcass. No thanks. I'm nobody's meal ticket

[Air Rifle Hunter]

I'm with you Bisley... I don't want to be the next warm body they are waiting to latch onto. Those blood suckers are better off dead from the start than hitchin' a ride as I pass by and then feasting on me or my kid!

[turkeyman85]

haha cancun.....