Alright,
I haven't been rabbit hunting for years. I think the last time was around 2008 and was never very successful. I know we are supposed to wait for the first frost. Well, it's getting cold. A couple times this week it's supposed to dip down into the high 30s. I have this weekend free and want to take advantage of it and go bag some rabbits. Some say there's no need to wait anyway (the season is year round), but others are avid that if you don't wait you're putting yourself in danger. What do y'all think?
Re: Do you REALLY need to wait for a frost?
2I’ve never heard that rule for small game hunting. Harvesting collard greens yes, rabbits, no. I say have at it.
'Sorry stupid people but there are some definite disadvantages to being stupid."
-John Cleese
-John Cleese
Re: Do you REALLY need to wait for a frost?
4Always been told they were wormy before first freeze. Doesn't compute and doubt true, seems more a myth and google says same. I don't eat rabbit so never been exposed. Can you say "Thumper" !
"Being Republican is more than a difference of opinion - it's a character flaw." "COVID can fix STUPID!"
The greatest, most aggrieved mistake EVER made in USA was electing DJT as POTUS.
The greatest, most aggrieved mistake EVER made in USA was electing DJT as POTUS.
Re: Do you REALLY need to wait for a frost?
5I thought it was "Only during months with an 'r' ".
Or is that oysters?
Or is that oysters?
To be vintage it must be older than me!
The next gun I buy will be the next to last gun I ever buy. PROMISE!
jim
The next gun I buy will be the next to last gun I ever buy. PROMISE!
jim
Re: Do you REALLY need to wait for a frost?
6Considering our national spokesperson, Lara, is an avid bunny owner, with 2 pet rabbits, I'll bet she's not happy with them being hunted!
While I have no affinity for rabbits one way or another, I s'pose I'd feel the same about people hunting cats or dogs.
While I have no affinity for rabbits one way or another, I s'pose I'd feel the same about people hunting cats or dogs.
"Even if the bee could explain to the fly why pollen is better than shit, the fly could never understand."
Re: Do you REALLY need to wait for a frost?
7Is it wabbit season? Sounds like a Fudd question to me.
/ducks
/ducks
Re: Do you REALLY need to wait for a frost?
8Waiting for a frost in AZ is akin to a cold day in hell...
Just cook meat thoroughly before consuming.
Just cook meat thoroughly before consuming.
"It is better to be violent, if there is violence in our hearts, than to put on the cloak of non-violence to cover impotence. There is hope for a violent man to become non-violent. There is no such hope for the impotent." -Gandhi
Re: Do you REALLY need to wait for a frost?
9(Bugs and Daffy in unison) "It's ELMER season!!!"wings wrote: Mon Oct 19, 2020 5:35 pm Is it wabbit season? Sounds like a Fudd question to me.
/ducks
"Even if the bee could explain to the fly why pollen is better than shit, the fly could never understand."
Re: Do you REALLY need to wait for a frost?
10My understanding is that it's meant to allow the rabbits with Tularemia (rabbit fever) to die off. While cooking the meat well *should* keep you safe from this disease, you can get it from handling blood and entrails too, so there's a risk just gutting a pre-freeze rabbit. I've seen Meateater Steven gut a rabbit and he never wears gloves, so maybe he isn't worried but then again I watched him eat rare black bear and get trichinosis so... YMMV. In my family the rule has always been no rabbit stew before the first frost. Even for pelts it's a good idea to wear gloves and long sleeves when cleaning summer bunnies. Alas, with California's eternal summer of hellfire, rabbit season really doesn't arrive here in SLO county until January.
Minute Of Average
Re: Do you REALLY need to wait for a frost?
11Thanks everybody! I'm gonna try to get out there this weekend.
Re: Do you REALLY need to wait for a frost?
12Do you have to wait for a frost? Hell no. Hunters all up and down California are hitting sporting goods stores, and even the guys with tags. These dudes are going to blow a good percentage of the kids' college fund in the next several weeks on all manner of kit, some just regular products in camo for twice the price. If I were young, I'd open a sporting goods store that sold guns, ammo, and hunting kit--$190 for a frame to carry out the horns on, $300 for camo clothes, and $40 for camo boxers. I'd see those guys coming and drain their bank account in seventy four minutes. Retire in ten years I tell you what.
CDFingers
CDFingers
Crazy cat peekin' through a lace bandana
like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eyed Jack
like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eyed Jack
Re: Do you REALLY need to wait for a frost?
13$300 gets you one piece of good stand gear, CD. You could retire in 5, I says.
'Sorry stupid people but there are some definite disadvantages to being stupid."
-John Cleese
-John Cleese
Re: Do you REALLY need to wait for a frost?
14Oy, vey.Mason wrote: Thu Oct 22, 2020 11:11 am $300 gets you one piece of good stand gear, CD. You could retire in 5, I says.
CDFingers
Crazy cat peekin' through a lace bandana
like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eyed Jack
like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eyed Jack
Re: Do you REALLY need to wait for a frost?
15I'm late to the party. From my understanding over the decades, rabbit fever is a risk you take when you clean the rabbit with cuts on your hand as opposed to eating it. If you are jumpshooting them and you like to walk through the thorn patches as I do, your hands will get torn up.
If the rabbits are eating your garden and you pop them with the pellet gun, imo there is little risk provided you don't have a cut and wear a good pair of latex gloves. This assumes normal inspection - rabbit has some fat and organs are not discolored.
Our season starts in October. I dont get out rabbit hunting until around Christmas time so I don't worry about it.
If the rabbits are eating your garden and you pop them with the pellet gun, imo there is little risk provided you don't have a cut and wear a good pair of latex gloves. This assumes normal inspection - rabbit has some fat and organs are not discolored.
Our season starts in October. I dont get out rabbit hunting until around Christmas time so I don't worry about it.
Re: Do you REALLY need to wait for a frost?
16No, that’s a myth. Check your rabbits and cook them well and you’ll be OK.