17 replies to this topic

[Poslo]

My first cottontail! The family and I got to Independence this afternoon. Didn't take too long to find some rabbits. I started off using my .177 BAM B-26/2. The rabbits I saw bolted and got a bit to far for my air rifle. Went back to the Prius and grabbed my .22 rifle and got my first bunny. I'll be going back out tomorrow morning for my limit. We are staying at Ray's Den Motel. Great place, very clean and the owner is very cool.

[Thumper Dunker]

Way to go.

[True2ThySelf]

Good job. Glad to hear you got something and it sounds like you'll be having a good time

[KNOCKED UP]

Good job Poslo,It don't get buch better than that.Tom

[rude robert]

Good job, now you just need to get a few more to make a meal lol

[Air Rifle Hunter]

Way to go Poslo! A few more and you'll have a real tasty meal. Make sure to soak them in brine though for a day or two or they will be real chewy if you don't.

[screwwork]

Poslo, Good job on the bunny, nice back up plan w/22cal.ARH, When you brine the bunnies what's your water to salt ratio (1 gal water to 1/4 cup salt)?

[Air Rifle Hunter]

I don't have a 'fixed' ratio that I use, currently, but I should . I usually do use about a gallon of water in a square RubberMaid container and put some apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, or other decent vinegar (not plain white vinegar in that gallon container), salt and some soy sauce. I don't know that it is an exact science, it does help draw remaining blood out of the meat and also seasons and breaks down the tissues in the meat. The last time I soaked my bunnies it was for two days and I made a stew with two and fried the other one up. I liked the stew, but I honestly like tasting the meat more, so I prefer to prepare it with a few spices and I braise it in some Grapeseed Oil or Olive Oil and then bake it wrapped in foil for about 20 to 30 minutes at 325 degrees in the oven (until it is fully cooked) with the seasonings and some oil drissled over it. You have to be sure to get the tough membrane off of the outside of the meat before cooking or it's like trying to bite through grissel to get to the meat. I like rabbit though. To me the meat is sweeter than chicken meat.

[Poslo]

Thanks Air Rifle Hunter, I can't wait to prepare the rabbit. I was thinking about using a recipe posted on Youtube by, "Hunters Vermin." I like the idea of using apple cider though. Hopefully I'll get one more chance tomorrow morning to get a few more rabbits before heading back to Ventura county.

[Air Rifle Hunter]

Just so that I don't confuse anyone, I meant Apple Cider Vinegar, Rice Vinegar, etc.; Not straight apple cider. That would not be acidic enough for the brine. Also, the recipe/preparation that HuntersVermin shows is a great way to cook them and very similar to how I have cooked rabbits and quail. They will come out tender and very tasty. I hope you get more rabbits for cooking.

[KNOCKED UP]

Poslo, You may also want to try cooking the wabbit in a pressure cooker. The meat will fall off of the bones, and you can cook it in your favorite spices.It works great on tree squirels also.Tom

[64ssking]

nice work!

[Bisley]

Poslo, You may also want to try cooking the wabbit in a pressure cooker. The meat will fall off of the bones, and you can cook it in your favorite spices.It works great on tree squirels also.Tom

Yep, and a crock pot also does the same thing too. And both are so easy, even I can do it Does wonders for birds too. Although I must admit that I have never had a chewy cottontail, even fried. Jacks are a whole other story though.You should do well up there, I was about 12 miles North of you during New Years and they were still pretty thick out there. Go get some more while you still can. And don't forget to fill up at the Fort Independence Travel Plaza on the North end of town, cheapest gas for a long ways around.

[tonyd]

Nice Bunny, seasons almost over, get them while you can. My son has a pot luck in one of his high school classes, going out this weekend to fill the pot with Bunnies. Believe it or not, he says there are several hunters in his school so everyone should go for rabbit stew. THANK GOD for normal kids.TonyD

[MonkeyChunks]

Nice job man, I just made some sautee rabbit tonight for dinner.Simple recipe to follow2 rabbits quartered, seasoned and boiledSautee up some bell pepper and unions, simmer with pineapple juice.When rabbit is boiled remove from water throw in sautee vegetables and pineapple chunks and barbeque sauce,Place in oven and cover with foil, and cook for 20 minutes, remove and serve with rice and vegetables.Got the recipe from my buddy in Louisiana

[MonkeyChunks]

Finally got photos to load

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[bruce_ventura]

Good hunting. Thanks everyone for the rabbit recipes. I want to take my 8 yo daughter rabbit hunting before the season ends. I better have a good recipe or else my wife will turn up her nose at it.

[MonkeyChunks]

Rabbit from the earlier recipe