Suburban Rabbits

[FJ540]

Are they worth cleaning?

I've never eaten a locally procured rabbit, but then again I haven't shot any since my early teens either. This afternoon, the largest bunny I've ever seen outside of the Fair happened to mosey across my back yard (which has a privacy fense). Not a new occurrence (we've had bunnies living under our shed before), but this thing was HUGE.

Is it likely to taste good, or should I leave it alone?

Also, if I tan it, is the brain usable like with deer or do I need to use something else?

[Pat]

Small game season doesn't start till the fall. And yes, bunnies are yummy. If you are really planning to eat your bunnies, I would go real easy on the pesticides this summer.

[FJ540]

I've been told (perhaps incorrectly) that we're allowed to "dispose of" pest animals in the metro. Is that not the case?

[PhilaBOR]

Check your local ordinances r.e. firearms, and note that some consider an air rifle a firearm (???)

[farmerj]

live trap em around the flower pots.....

[FJ540]

Pretty much anything that flies is illegal here, so I'd be relegated to trapping, or throwing rocks at it (legally).

I'm not interested in poaching bunnies, so if there is any issue in taking them out of season I'd certainly appreciate that info as I haven't been able to confirm or deny what I've been told.

[hammAR]

3S's............................

[FJ540]

S----, Shower & Shave?

[JJ]

Shoot, Shovel, Shut the eff up?

[FJ540]

Shoot, skin & skedaddle?

[FJ540]

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id ... ord=rabbit

97B.655 TAKING ANIMALS CAUSING DAMAGE.
Subdivision 1.Owners and occupants may take certain animals.A person may take mink, squirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, bobcat, fox, opossum, muskrat, or beaver on land owned or occupied by the person where the animal is causing damage. The person may take the animal without a license and in any manner except by poison, or artificial lights in the closed season. Raccoons may be taken under this subdivision with artificial lights during open season. A person that kills mink, raccoon, bobcat, fox, opossum, muskrat, or beaver under this subdivision must notify a conservation officer or employee of the Wildlife Division within 24 hours after the animal is killed.

So yeah, it's legal.

[Joe Camo]

I've never eaten a locally procured rabbit, ... Is it likely to taste good, or should I leave it alone?

Also, if I tan it, is the brain usable like with deer or do I need to use something else?

They should taste as good as any other wild rabbit. Be sure to check any "wild" bunnies for spotted liver disease before consuming.

As for tanning their hides, yes you can use rabbit brain, or any animal brain for that matter, to provide the natural emulsified oils necessary to this traditional tanning process. Eggs can also be substituted for brains ... well, just for use in leather tanning that is. Lord knows I've encountered many people whom I swear have had eggs for brains (and usually scrambled as well)!

JC

[FJ540]

Thanks Joe. When you use eggs, do you use the whole egg or just the yolk or whites?

[princewally]

Thanks Joe. When you use eggs, do you use the whole egg or just the yolk or whites?

If you've got the rabbit, why not just use the brain? There's usually exactly the right amount of brain in each animal to tan the hide.

[FJ540]

I'm totally new to tanning hides, so I'm interested in whatever methods are out there.

Right now I don't have the rabbit. I'm actually more interested in being able to pop coons. I want to plant corn in the garden, but those damn things eat it before we can.