West Side Rabbits

[janttihunter]

Found some well used rabbit trails in the snow along with rabbit scat and pee everywhere, didnt see any rabbits..Now what?

Just brush bust?

[Heredoggydoggy]

Get off a ways and sit quietly.  They'll venture out eventually when they feel safe.

[carpsniperg2]

I am not 100% sure but I would think it's o.k to spotlight them. Never looked into it because we don't have them here. Get a little weapons mounted light and you should do o.k if its legal.

[wablkandtan]

get a begal

[Heredoggydoggy]

I am not 100% sure but I would think it's o.k to spotlight them. Never looked into it because we don't have them here. Get a little weapons mounted light and you should do o.k if its legal.

The only reference to hunting with artificial lights I could find is on pg. 76 of the Big Game pamphlet.  Illegal for big game hunting.  Looks like Night Vision and laser sights are only illegal for deer or elk. (#12).

[janttihunter]

Ok thanks. Its a couple mile hike in the woods so I prob wont be in there after dark. But thanks for the help!

[raydog]

can you eat rabbits here on the west side.  My grandpa always said not to eat them. i'm not sure why

[Heredoggydoggy]

can you eat rabbits here on the west side.  My grandpa always said not to eat them. i'm not sure why

Maybe they carried some sort of parasite?  Rabbit meat is tasty, but lacking in nutritional value.  If rabbit meat is all you ate, you'd starve to death!

[janttihunter]

Back home on the east coast hey have worms in the summer. Im hunting them up high in the snow so I think there ok?

[Heredoggydoggy]

I know a guy that shot a rabbit that was eating his garden, and it had a huge maggot in its skin.  Turns out that there's a Botfly that targets rabbits specifically.  The maggot was nearly as big as your little finger, and ugly as heck.  Rabbits shot at high altitude in winter are probably OK.  Cook them well done to make sure.

[wafisherman]

Any animal will have a certain amount of parasites and certain risks when eating.  Generally, the parasites will pose no health risk to humans - other than just being gross to think about.

Since most wild rabbit will be kinda tough to eat, rabbit stew and crock pot recipes will help with making it more tender and killing anything you may be worried about.  Putting meat in a deep freeze for 10 days will also ensure any parasites are killed.

Also, when in the feild, dress the critter as soon as possible.  This can prevent parasites from migrating from the stomach and into the meat.

[janttihunter]

Good to know. Thanks!! I was thinking either stew or chicken fried rabbit.

[plottwalker]

as long as your killing them after the first couple frozen nights of the year you shouldnt have problems. i raise meat rabbits, and hunt the cotton tails/brush rabbits. only real difference is the wild ones are alittle tough. they are like roaster meat rabbits(3 months or older) and they cook better on a low heat, or in the pot. as for hunting them, run a beagle! pic of this weekends hunt.

[raydog]

 

[janttihunter]

Nice work plottwalker!! I wish I had a beagle! I grew up running beagles in New England, I miss it..