Rabbit/Squirrel hunt

[denverco]

Growing up in Texas, the main reason we shot them in the winter was to lessen the fleas and ticks.
We would wait until after a good hard freeze before starting wabbit-season.

Freezing temperatures will usually kill any sick or infected rabbits. So yes, wait till the freeze.

[davsel]

In bad weather they're usually hunkered down, but on the plus side you know where they're at. So, it's easier to scare them out, they run a ways, then stop, turn 90° to look at you, that's your chance. In good weather they're all over, I once was walking around hunting looking for them and stopped to look around, one took off like a shot not 7 ft from me. Anyway I use a 22 maxi mag, HP. I only do head shots on the bunnies "lights out". I usually get 8 or 9 when I go out, but I do private property, not public... Never had luck with public...

I agree, if you saw tracks, they were there, staring at you. Either that or the coyote just came thru.

I was taught to stop often. A rabbit's first instinct is to freeze and make like a rock. When you stop, the rabbit often thinks it's been spotted and will run a few yards, then stop and make like a rock again. Then you take the shot.

[cap'n cook]

I was taught to stop often. A rabbit's first instinct is to freeze and make like a rock. When you stop, the rabbit often thinks it's been spotted and will run a few yards, then stop and make like a rock again. Then you take the shot.

i love this characteristic of rabbits.

[GilpinGuy]

Thread revival!

Is it too late to pick off a few rabbits? I mean as far as the fleas, ticks, or other pests. Hasn't been too cold lately. I never hunted them before but would like to try cooking a couple up and maybe end up raising them for meat if the family likes it.

And, ahem, they've been pestering my birds on the property, so they have to go.

[buffalobo]

Official season on rabbits is closed.

sent from my electronic ball and chain

[rondog]

Thread revival!

Is it too late to pick off a few rabbits? I mean as far as the fleas, ticks, or other pests. Hasn't been too cold lately. I never hunted them before but would like to try cooking a couple up and maybe end up raising them for meat if the family likes it.

And, ahem, they've been pestering my birds on the property, so they have to go.

There's several markets that sell commercial rabbit meat, Google it. A friend of mine long ago in OK raised his own rabbits just for the meat, he ate tons of 'em. Can't say I've ever tried it myself, not that I can recall.

[Irving]

Rabbit is delicious! Or at least the one I ate.

[buffalobo]

Rabbit is delicious! Or at least the one I ate.

Rabbit is delicious, at least the hundreds I have eaten have been. Prefer wild to commercially raised.

sent from my electronic ball and chain

[ray1970]

I used to love rabbit gumbo. Been a long time since I've had it.

[Hummer]

I've hunted and enjoyed eating rabbits and hares, mostly roasted over the campfire or fried, which is a bit tough but very tasty. I rarely shoot them around our homes because we enjoy watching them. Just like we don't shoot the home covey of Gambel's Quail. But, we consider them part of the farm pantry--available if the SHTF, or whenever the need might arise. We surely have a few dozen roaming the farm and enjoy watching their antics. We have to fence off the newly planted garden but otherwise they are rarely a problem.

Right now, the cottontails are highly active, in breeding mode and constantly moving, fighting, males jockeying for breeding females, and females excavating nest holes. The rabbits also attract predators here including Bald and Golden Eagle, Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks, Great Horned Owls, coyote and fox, all of which makes our place rich with wildlife.

In CO we have the Nuttall's or Mountain Cottontail. The subspecies in the mountains is a bit smaller than the race in the eastern plains and lowland areas of the Grand Valley which have longer ears.

We once had a domestic type rabbit show up. Fun to watch but it ate everything we didn't want it to, bulbs, veggies, flowers and seeds I trapped it and gave it to friends who promised to keep it in a pen.


Snapped this photo a few days ago from the front window. We've got bunnies!





Big mama and a newly emerged baby bunny.





Rival males fighting. I call this photo, "Kung Fu Rabbit".







BTW, GilpinGuy, I have never seen these wild rabbits act aggressively toward wild birds that feed right next to them. They are always gentle except between rival male rabbits. FYI, You can identify tularemia in rabbits by the presence of white spots on the liver. Don't eat those. Wear gloves when you clean them.