16 replies to this topic

[Air Rifle Hunter]

I finally got to go Cottontail Rabbit hunting with CBR400RR on Friday evening (10/14/2011). We drove over to a permission that he has and arrived around 5:45pm or so. We walked the property and didn't see much until right around when it was getting close to dusk. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of the rabbits (with fur on anyway). In total, I think we shot 4 or 5. I took one home to skin and prep. It was a real healthy rabbit, no mixy, healthy looking liver and other organs, no cloudy looking eyes, no parasites and excellent looking meat. I skinned it up, cleaned and put it in a brine of water, salt, distilled white vinegar and some soy sauce, and left it in the refrigerator over night. This morning (Sunday) I took the meat out, mixed up a season mixture of Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Savory and crushed Dried Onions and baisted the meat with some oil and rubbed the seasoning mixture onto the meat. I pre-heated the oven to 350, wrapped the meat in some turkey bacon I had and put it in the oven for 30 to 45 minutes (the small pieces came out earlier than the larger ones). Right as the meat was done, I took the bacon off, chopped it up and mixed it in with some hashed brown potatoes. For my first Cottontail Rabbit ever, I'd have to say I did an awesome job cooking it and it tasted deeeeeeeelicious! Even my child asked for seconds (I gave my child the back strap meat) and loved the flavor of the meat and even gave me the "Thumbs Up"!

Below are a few pictures:

The Cleaned, Prepped and Bagged Rabbit:
 Cleaned_and_Bagged.jpg   34.33K   12 downloads

Rabbit in the Oven at 350 Degrees (Sorry it's a little blurry )
 Pic_06_In_the_Oven_02.jpg   47.61K   9 downloads

After being in the oven for 30 to 45 minutes:
 Pic_12_Out_of_the_Oven.jpg   53.65K   9 downloads

And plated and ready for the munchin' to begin!
 Pic_14_Plated_for_the_Table_02.jpg   64.84K   12 downloads

I wanted to be sure and thank CBR400RR for taking me hunting with him and anytime you want to go hunt Cottontails, I'm more than ready to hunt them. Although, after tasting this one I'd like to bring more of them home next time . These little rabbits are super tasty!!!

[Braz]

And don't forget to try the young Jacks that you shoot, as they are wonderful also. That looks like an excellent meal right there.

[Air Rifle Hunter]

Thanks Braz! As soon as I get out to get some Jacks, I'll definitely be cooking them up too... You Bettcha!

[sportyg]

well done looks really good !!!

[Brant]

Excellent!

[Thumper Dunker]

Now im hungry that looks realy good. What did you get them with?

[longboard]

"You cook good Rabbit Pilgrim" Longboard

[Air Rifle Hunter]

Now im hungry that looks realy good. What did you get them with?

Thanks, it tasted really good too. I can't wait to get some more of those bunnies and cook 'em up. I think I might try some rabbit chili or maybe even some rabbit fajitas next time . As far as what we were shooting... air rifles. CBR400RR was using his Daystate Air Ranger .25 Cal and I was using my Benjamin Marauder .22 cal. The area had horse stalls around, so firearms are most likely not allowed. I suppose I could try using my bow, but I need some more practice.

[CBR400RR]

ARH your welcome and anytime you want to go back let me know.

[Air Rifle Hunter]

For rabbits... just let me know when you are thinking of going and I'll do what I can to make some time for it.

[CBR400RR]

Just let me know when your free I can always make the time.

[chino]

Well I would hope to get some tips from you guys on places to hunt cottontails...I'm in the San Diego Area as well and can't seem to find any spots with cottontails///

[Air Rifle Hunter]

If you read the very first post at the top (my initial post), I mention that this is one of CBR400RR's "Private Permissions". That means he has gotten written permission from the land owner to be able to hunt on their land due "pest' problems they have. And out there it is an Air Gun Only area due to livestock and horses being boarded. But with as many rabbits as I saw, there has to be Jacks and Cottontails all over the place in East County and further East toward El Centro. I've even seen them in Descanso and Julian. So I know they are around here. They just don't jump out waving with signs saying "Shoot Me Please!" CBR400RR was kind enough to take me along with him a couple of times, but I have also been doing a great deal of my own research and it takes hours and hours to compile and sort through all of the information to make sure it is legit. If you really want to find spots with Jack Rabbits and Cottontails, then you probably should do what I am currently in the process of doing, which is purchasing some maps and getting ready to burn some fuel, put some miles on your tires and miles on the soles of your boots. I have already purchase a map of the Cleveland National Forest (which you can purchase from the National Forest website for $11 shipped to your mail box) and I just ordered BLM maps for (9) different areas North and East of the San Diego area (El Cajon, El Centro, Yuma, Borrego Springs, Salton Sea, Trigo Mtns, Palm Springs, Eagle Mtns and Blythe). Each BLM map area costs $4 and you can call the office in Sacramento, tell them the names of the maps you personally want to order and use a credit card to order over the phone and they'll ship them to your house. You might also want to call the Ranger Station for the Cleveland National Forest area near you or the BLM office in El Centro and ask them questions regarding places to hunt the type of game you are looking for and for any tips or suggestions. I'm going to have to do the very same thing, because there is no easy way around it. Besides recently meeting CBR400RR here on the CPC forum, I am friends with only one other hunter in the San Diego area (known him for about a year or so) and even he doesn't give out hunting locations (at least not yet... ). From what I've seen so far, if I get up off of my couch (I'm talking leaving the house while it's still dark so that I arrive as the sun is coming up over the mountains) and drive to a legal area to hunt, walk around and scout out the areas, I will see the animals (cottontails in this case) I am looking to harvest. It does however, take time, work and determination. I do know one thing... from my experience Cottontails like to come out very early in the morning and right at dusk to eat and hang out near hedges, tree lines and such. The term is the "Edge Effect". That way if there is an alert or danger, they will dart back into cover to hide. I wish you the best in finding some Cottontails to bag.

[chino]

I understand what you're talking about...I have the Cleveland National Forest Maps and am trying to find out where to order the BLM maps...do you by any chance have the number as of where to get the BLM maps? I would really appreciate it...Does any one have any suggestions on GPS thats not too epensive and that shows a to and from point...from where you start?

[beniflas]

Here's a link to the BLM website where you can order maps.http://www.blm.gov/c...rthern_Map.htmlAir Rifle Hunter, Are these the maps you're talking about? I'm also thinking of ordering some.

[Air Rifle Hunter]

I understand what you're talking about...I have the Cleveland National Forest Maps and am trying to find out where to order the BLM maps...do you by any chance have the number as of where to get the BLM maps? I would really appreciate it...Does any one have any suggestions on GPS thats not too epensive and that shows a to and from point...from where you start?

From what I understand, there are apps for the iPhone and the Android OS that are for hunting, use GPS and allow you to mark locations so you can keep track of them once you find a decent spot. As far as one that shows the boundries, I've got one for the Santa Barbara area, but have not seen one on the iTunes App Store for the San Diego Area. I wish someone would work on one since it would make knowing if you are in or out of the boundries easier. You can find the number for ordering the maps off of the BLM site. One thing I'll mention though is that many of the maps (since I just received mine) seem to not have been updated for a while or they haven't come out with any changes for a while. Some of the maps are dated 1997 or 1998, while some are much more recent. I guess it depends on when they decide to revise them.

[Air Rifle Hunter]

Here's a link to the BLM website where you can order maps.http://www.blm.gov/c...rthern_Map.htmlAir Rifle Hunter, Are these the maps you're talking about? I'm also thinking of ordering some.

Yes, those are the same maps. They are $4 each, so the (9) I ordered cost me $36 shipped to my house. Not too bad when you think of the time it will save you in looking for areas to hunt. If you have questions on the areas, you can also call the BLM office nearest to the area you want to go and find out if an area is ok to hunt in or not and what might be in the area.