Our cotton tail season opend on the first of july. Had to work on the opener . But that was ok I have a hot spot all to myself.Finaly got out this after noon . Took me almost 90 minutes to get my five bunnies.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/timkoi/031-4.jpg)
Theres still lots of them out there.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/timkoi/033-4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/timkoi/032-4.jpg)
After i got my bunnies I spent the rest of the after noon scaring the ground squirrels. Getting close to coyote chasing time.
Nice harvest of cottontail rabbits.
Here in Texas where I live, one really can't bowhunt rabbits until after the first frost. Our rabbits have worm parasites burrowing in the meat due to the extreme summer heat. We call these worms, "wolves".
QuoteOriginally posted by Night Wing:
one really can't bowhunt rabbits until after the first frost. Our rabbits have worm parasites burrowing in the meat due to the extreme summer heat
Same here.
Good shootin' Thumper!
Love hunting bunny's:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
We're all coming to your house for rabbit stew.
Yum.
Fried rabbit, bisquits, and gravy! Way to go sir! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
What kind of bow is that your shooting all those rabbits with?
I thought you didn't want to eat rabbits in the summer due to parasites? Is that just a wivestail or what?
I grew up in Northern California and we frequently had temps of 100 or more and we started hunting on the opener on July 1st. We never had a problem with anything when it came to eating cottontails. I suppose other places may have. But since I left California, I've killed and eaten cottontails in New Mexico before the frost and here in Idaho before the frost. And in all three places we were told not to, and never had any problems at all.
As well, never known anyone to get sick. I have been told by everyone that said I would get sick they they all knew someone who ate a rabbit and it made them sick or killed them. But I'm thinking if that many people were effected there would be something on the news about it, or a big shortage of hunters.
Thumper do you call or just spot and stalk?
Or sit on a bait pile of carrots?
QuoteOriginally posted by ChrisM:
Thumper do you call or just spot and stalk?
Both. I use the call to make them stand up for a better shot but they will come to you. Not so much the cotton tails but a buck jack rabbit is a real sucker to being called in.
Is the call a distress call?
Just a soft short baaa. The call in the picture is my lucky old fawn call.It has taken tons of stuff from crows to coyotes and one bobcat.For rabbits use happy sounds so they will come in to see whats going on.Never have called in a ground squirrel got to work on that. :rolleyes:
Ground squirrels come in pretty good to almond calls. But there aren't many folks making calls that sound like almonds so it can be tough.
California has those wolves, too. They're the grub state of a certain fly. Ugly and disgusting to find in a rabbit but it doesn't hurt the meat.
Tularemia is an issue with some rabbits but if they're thoroughly cooked even an infected rabbit is safe to eat. But if a rabbit appears sick or lethargic I'd probably still let it go.
There are a lot of legends about rabbit fever out there but there is also some good information on state game sites as well as health agency sites to dispell the myths.
Guy
Wish we could hunt stuff like that rite now. that be awsome! nice shooting!
on calling ground squirrels. if you miss and they duck down try making a kissing sound on the back of your hand. Sometimes they will pop back up.but it only works once usually. so aim small
Rabbits are all over here right now. Cant hunt them till Fall.
Good shooting!
QuoteOriginally posted by Mike Mecredy:
I grew up in Northern California and we frequently had temps of 100 or more and we started hunting on the opener on July 1st. We never had a problem with anything when it came to eating cottontails. I suppose other places may have. But since I left California, I've killed and eaten cottontails in New Mexico before the frost and here in Idaho before the frost. And in all three places we were told not to, and never had any problems at all.
As well, never known anyone to get sick. I have been told by everyone that said I would get sick they they all knew someone who ate a rabbit and it made them sick or killed them. But I'm thinking if that many people were effected there would be something on the news about it, or a big shortage of hunters.
If you ever see one of those "wolves" which are bot fly larvae, you won't WANT to eat it, although I'm sure it's safe. I still have nightmares about one crawling out of a squirrel I killed as a kid.
If I've ever seen one I'd probably think about things differently but I've never seen one, I cleaned hundreds of rabbits and no encounters yet.
QuoteOriginally posted by Mike Mecredy:
If I've ever seen one I'd probably think about things differently but I've never seen one, I cleaned hundreds of rabbits and no encounters yet.
They're not intestinal parasites like roundworms. They are big maggots that live under the skin and feed on the animal. They're quite vile. If you find a big lump with an open sore on something you've killed, that might be one. Once their host is cold and dead, they crawl out. I recommend you try to never see this. It can't be unseen.
We have wolves in squirrels and rabbits down here near all year. I don`t eat the ones that have them but do eat the others.RC
QuoteOriginally posted by Night Wing:
Nice harvest of cottontail rabbits.
Here in Texas where I live, one really can't bowhunt rabbits until after the first frost. Our rabbits have worm parasites burrowing in the meat due to the extreme summer heat. We call these worms, "wolves".
Waiting on a frost is really just an old wive's tale. Animals have parasites regardless of the weather. Frost won't kill them if they're close to the skin......if the animal got that cold, it would die of frost itself.
What really happens, is by the time winter hits, the parasite has completed its life cycle. Regardless, i wouldnt let it stop me from hunting n the summer if I was hungry.
about those bugs crawling out of dead bunnies I think there called Botts fly larve, seems thats what I remember
Deer and hogs has the same stuff ,just extra protien.I have seen the bot fly maggots before looks like somthing good for bluegill. :rolleyes:
Woops double post.
Here is the type I've seen in rabbits.
Be warned!
Once you click this link you can not unsee the picture!
cuterebra larvae (http://www.flintvetclinic.com/Exotic/cuterebra.jpg)
Guy
Attaboy!
Oh man , are you kidding me>>>>>>>> I am so jelous, we dont start until Oct 1 here in NY. Cant wait, I have a young gip that I started a few months ago as well as my lder dogs. Bring it on. Mike
Great shooting! You must have one heck of a spot!
These rabbits were so dumb the week before the opener, now they are busting from 50 yards out!
I managed one more and a huge jack yesterday on a long mountian bike scouting trip. Saw some bucks and some great sign so I hope I will have an antlered critter to pack out in 9 days!
Good luck...
Growning up just a little west of Yosemite Natl' Park, I had a route I used to hunt and along there I had about a half dozen places that almost always had rabbits hanging out. Then used either a .410 or a .22 but I'd usually get one or two at some of those spots. They had year round springs nearby and lots of grass. We used to have rabbit for supper several times a week back then.
hey Mike, Did you have a favorite recipe?
Thinnin' the herd like that TD is gonna leave 'em 'yotes hungry!
No wonder they respond to your callin' so well!
Good shootin' an' good eatin' on them cottontails!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
I've quarterd them and made it like fried chicken, sort of breaded, I've ooked them whole on the bbq grill, cokked them on a stick over a campfire, took all the meat off the bones and made stir fry or tacos, I can't really think of a favorite recipe, gilling them is easiest and healthiest, but I'd have to say the fried rabbit is the most tastey.
If you fry in almond meal it is MUCH healthier and still just as tasty!
I even do big batches of chicken wings in almond meal and they taste great...