eating rabbits

[DavidR310]

Are hunting permits needed for wabbit?

[NapalmCheese]

Are hunting permits needed for wabbit?

You must have a hunting license.
You must use an approved method of take.
Jackrabbits are open year round.
Cottontails can only be taken in season (July - January IIRC).

http://dfg.ca.gov

[Untamed1972]

Can anyone clarify the legality of hunting rabbits in LA County with an air rifle?

I've read multiple conflicting opinions on this subject.

You must have a hunting license.
You must use an approved method of take.
Jackrabbits are open year round.
Cottontails can only be taken in season (July - January IIRC).

http://dfg.ca.gov

except in Los Angeles County where rifles and pistols may not be used.
•(h) In San Diego and Orange counties only, rabbits may be taken at any time during the open season by means of box traps. Such traps shall not exceed 24 inches in any dimension, shall be tended at least once every 24 hours, and shall show the name and address of the trap owner. All rabbits taken under this section shall be immediately killed and become a part of the daily bag limit.
•(i) Electronic or mechanically-operated calling or sound-reproducing devices are prohibited when attempting to take resident game birds.
•(j) Coursing dogs may be used to take rabbits.
•(k) Archers hunting during any archery season may not possess a firearm while in the field engaged in archery hunting during an archery season.
•(l) The use of live decoys is prohibited when attempting to take resident game birds.
•(m) Pistols and revolvers may be used to take sooty and ruffed grouse in those counties only and for the season described in Section 300(a)(1)(E).
•(n) Crossbows, except for provisions of Section 354(d) and (g).
•(o) Dogs may be used to take and retrieve resident small game.

Looks like any of the listed methods of take except firearm pistols and rifles
in LA county. An air rifle is not a firearm.

[Manolito]

There is a lot of good information given but to be honest the rules that should govern any meat you kill is pretty simple.

Inspect the carcass for open sores and wounds. split the animal from belly to ribs ring the anus and tie off with a piece of twine and remove the entrails while wearing disposable gloves. Inspect the internal organs. liver should be bright and smooth if you see lumps or speckled color in small animals my rule of thumb is move on to another animal.

You learn a lot about biology not taught in class skin the anima and remove the head insuring all of the windpipe is gone I split the ribs to open them up and let me clean them out. Once I have handled the skin I remove the gloves and put on another pair wash out the cavity and I place a stick in the rib cage keeping the ribs separated and allowing the carcass to cool.

When I hunt rabbits I have a canvas back pack I put some grass collected at the hunt sight and then soak the canvass in water this makes a great place to store the carcass until I can get it on ice. evaporation cools the inside of the pack by almost 15 degrees.

I don't eat filter organs myself that does not make them bad.

Just a personal note when you realize an animal died for your dinner you are lest wasteful and more appreciative of that meal. again just an opinion.

Remember most rattlesnake bites occur when a hunter thinks they know best and try to harvest or pester the rattler and they get bitten. Think about it your bite area will swell so large the doctor will cut long slices in muscle and skin so it does not tare and the pain is one close to debriding burned skin. Leave them alone.

I soak my rabbits in butter milk overnight then make a rabbit and dumpling dinner that is pretty good or so my friends say.

Let us know how you do and above all enjoy it.

Respectfully,
Bill

[huntandski]

No that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. If you're worried about tularemia, just make sure to cook it well. Two summers ago, I are quite a few rabbits then someone told me that I'll get really sick for eating them during the summer. I started freaking out but soon realized that there's nothing wrong with it.

Wear gloves when cleaning. I sometimes make the mistake of forgetting gloves and my god... Your hands will stink for days.

[huntandski]

Oh and I don't mean stupid as in "you're dumb for asking". It's good that you ask because it's always best to be safe.

I just HATE this rumor because of how scared I got after someone told me (after id already eaten 10 rabbits that month). I thought I was going to get tularemia or the Black Plague or something and die.

[Friar5119]

I raised rabbit for 10 years back in the day.We ate them year round. Wild Jacks are different, and yes they carry tularemia and a host of other vermin. http://www.desertusa.com/animals/jack-rabbit.html

Everyone has their preferences for which game they take and I wholeheartedly respect that. However, I find the perception of Jackrabbits to be interesting. I'll take a Jack over a cotton tail if you gave me the option between the two, but then again they need to be prepared correctly for the flavor and texture to be right.

In Europe, my mother grew up eating hare (Lepre) and having it braised using her childhood recipes makes a meal very difficult to refuse. Ive shot some TERRIBLE jackrabbits, but I've also shot a few cottontails that were borderline zombies.

That being said, Jackrabbits get a pretty bad rep.....just watch this video showing how disease/parasite free the cute cuddly cottontails are

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xbA-eHazpo

[LONGRANGER777]

When i was a kid in Geogia an old guy showed us how to field dress rabbits. One little slit in neck and cut the windpipe. One cut around anus. Grab by ears and sling down between your legs and guts go flying out without touching anything.