Post by: James Bosley on February 18, 2009, 02:48:45 PM
James
Post by: rasbo on February 18, 2009, 02:54:15 PM
Post by: James Bosley on February 18, 2009, 03:08:32 PM
Post by: CastleRocker on February 18, 2009, 03:26:21 PM
Post by: rasbo on February 18, 2009, 03:28:03 PM
how sick did they make you because the only time i have seen them is during the summer.that is why i am askingI dont eat them in the summer.The sick part was a sick joke about me.I get them and grouse at the same time.In the morning they will be on the edges of the roads eating the grass right where the grouse are.I shoot them in the head with a 22mag,you will love them.
Post by: runamuk on February 18, 2009, 03:40:20 PM
how sick did they make you because the only time i have seen them is during the summer.that is why i am askingI dont eat them in the summer.The sick part was a sick joke about me.I get them and grouse at the same time.In the morning they will be on the edges of the roads eating the grass right where the grouse are.I shoot them in the head with a 22mag,you will love them.
Yes Rasbo is sort of sick :chuckle: :chuckle:
Little cotton tails just before dawn they go hopping down my driveway :chuckle: :chuckle:
lb for lb rabbits have an awful lot of guts, not sure I will be hunting many, the idea of cleaning them for such a small amount of meat :dunno:... of course we raised rabbits so I can usually find somewhere to buy good inexpensive rabbit ;)
Post by: littlebuf on February 18, 2009, 05:22:15 PM
Post by: murphyranch on February 18, 2009, 07:06:08 PM
I won't eat them in the early fall unless there has been a killing frost. I've always heard they have worms before that. I don't know though as I've never eaten one that was killed before the first big fall frost.
:yeah:
Post by: Thehowler on February 18, 2009, 08:37:04 PM
Post by: runamuk on February 18, 2009, 08:58:02 PM
http://beaglesunlimited.com/rabbithunting_tularemia.htm (http://beaglesunlimited.com/rabbithunting_tularemia.htm)
Post by: Airnip on February 18, 2009, 10:15:41 PM
First a little help to spare some dictionary time. A leporid is a rabbit like critter, endemic means that it is occuring in a population without needing outside introduction. Printed the tick scientific names because it is part of the given text. Here is some advice quoted from my big fat peer reviewed scientific paper indexed copy of "The Biology of the Laboratory Rabbit" edited by Weisbroth, Flett, and Kraus page 454:
"Tularemia, while entirely unknown in laboratory and domestic rabbits, is endemic in wild rabbits and hares. It occurs throughout North America, continental Europe, and several Asiatic, North Africian, and South American countrys.
In North America about 90% of human tularemia cases are the results of contact with live leporids. Cottontails (Sylvilagus spp.) are by far the most important reservoir, while jackrabbits (lepus spp.) play a minor role. Few human cases have been traced to snowshoe hares (lepus americanus).
Man contracts tularemia by handling infected tissues,blood,excreta or by eating undercooked meat of infected wild leporids. It is important to note that Francisella (pasteurella) tularensis will penetrate the conjunctiva and apparently unbroken skin. Tularemia can also be transmitted through bites and fluids of ticks and flies infected by rabbits. The wood tic (Dermaceentor anderson) the dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum), and the deer fly (Chrysops discalis) are the anthropods which most commonly transmit the disease to man. In Sweden and Russia mosquitoes of the genus Aedes are suspected of spreading the disease to man.
Wild rabbits and hares can be a definite hazard to human health and should be handled with great caution in areas where tularemia is endemic. Gloves and masks covering the entire face should be worn while skinning or dressing rabbits, and protective clothing and insect repellant should be used to prevent the bites of arthropods."
End quote, have to bear in mind that this advice is from shut in laboratory scientists. See now runamuk has posted a link to beagle hunting. I'm posting this anyway.
Post by: wastickslinger on February 18, 2009, 10:19:15 PM
Post by: Airnip on February 18, 2009, 10:28:31 PM
"How can tularemia be prevented?
Rubber, plastic, or latex gloves should be worn while skinning or handling rabbits, especially if you have open cuts or abrasions. Wild rabbit and rodent meat should be cooked thoroughly before eating. Once again, this doesn't mean you have to over cook the meat, simply make sure it is not bloody in the middle which is a sign that the meat is still raw or uncooked. When outdoors, avoid bites of deer flies and ticks by wearing insect repellents that contain DEET (for skin) and/or repellents containing Permethrin (for clothing only). Also, conduct "tick checks" every two to three hours if spending a lot of time outdoors where ticks are plentiful. All ticks attached to the body should be removed immediately. Using a pair of tweezers, slowly pull the tick straight out, no twisting, then wash hands thoroughly after removal (click here for tick removal photo). Avoid drinking, bathing, swimming or working in untreated (nonchlorinated) water. It is wisely suggested that you not pick up wild dead rabbits found in the outdoors. Also, be suspicious of rabbits that appear to be seriously ill or are easily caught by your Beagles.
Webmaster's Note
I have been a rabbit hunter for more than 30 years and I have never seen a rabbit with a contaminated, spotted liver. I am also unaware of any friends that are hunters or outdoors persons that have ever contracted the disease. Remember, out of several million people that frequent the outdoors, work with laboratory rodents, and rabbit hunt only 150-300 cases are diagnosed throughout the entire US on a yearly basis. Also, remember this disease has been on a sharp decline for the past 50 years. The sole purpose of this article is to educate you on the disease tularemia, but in no way is this article intended to exaggerate its minimal risk factor. Just beware that the disease does exist, use the proper precautions, and enjoy rabbit hunting and eating rabbit meat. "
Pasting is so much easier than copying out of a book.
Post by: FrankDown on February 18, 2009, 10:53:35 PM
Post by: NW-Eric on February 19, 2009, 08:37:52 AM
Post by: Intruder on February 19, 2009, 09:27:57 AM
I've heard the "don't eat em in the summer" is more of a old wife's tale.... That being said, I've never hunted or eaten 1 shot during the warm months. Assuming it is legal, I don't think I'd have a big concern shooting and eating 1 in the summer.
Now that I'm a lil' older and hopefully wiser, I think I would be inclined to make sure to take the necessary handling precautions.
Post by: GrouseBane on February 19, 2009, 10:30:47 PM