Batmancaver Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 I have just wasted a perfectly good stalk. Nothing for the pot just a sick rabbit put out of its misery (which IS a good thing). I hunt amongst an area of tussocky grass. Weny out this morning, raining but as some have said on this forum it can often be profitable. What did I see? Almost zilch! 1 rabbit that was a bit far off for my skills at the moment but I tried anyway, raised the cross hairs a mite, touched off the trigger and 'PING'! I hit the rock just above and behind its head. Needless to say .. one running rabbit! After a long slow quiet walk I eventually found a rabbit amongst the tussocks. A slow slow stalk eventually brought myself within range. This time no need to raise the sights. Lined up behind the eye, touched the trigger and down he went, flat out. I de-urinated him, placed him somewhere safe and stalked a bit more, but even in my normally full of rabbits spots there was nothing so back to the car I go, picking up lunch on the way! Got back to the car and started to paunch him. Then I noticed the smell, at first I thought that it was just with him being a big buck and marking out territories. I get my rabbits ready by cutting off all four feet at the joints, making a cut right round the abdomen and then pull the 'jumper' up and over the head cut through the neck and thats one half done. I then pull the 'trousers' down, cut through the tail, and then pull them off. A quick slit down the abdomen and then throw out the guts. This time I cleaned the top half no problem, despite the much stronger than usual smell. Then I started on the bottom. Now the smell got even worse and I noticed copious amounts of 'fat' around the hindquarters. More than usual I thought but nothing too unusual, until I tried to clean some of the fat off. Now I realised that it was not fat. This was the same colour but was like runny slime. And boy did it stink! After a close look I realised that it was not fat but that it appeared to be some sort of infection on both hindquarters and was seeping out from under the muscle, and all over my hands! Needless to say he went to feed Charlie, and I went home for a severe disinfection of my hands - next time I am going to wear disposable gloves! I was just wondering whether anyone else has come across anything like this? I wondered whether maybe it arouse because of a failed attack by a stoat, weasel or a fox that maybe resulted in infected hindquarters. Alternatively if it had been shot in the rear by someone else, could this have resulted in an infection like this? Anyone else got any ideas? Oh, sorry if you've just had lunch!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 Is the area ferreted as that could have been what caused the wound in the first place,or it could have been due to mating fights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 Nice read! If anyone else shoots the area, it could have been he was hit in the rear regions, and the pellet/wound caused an infection. Atleast there wont be a bunny suffering tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 Never come across that before! It's not that "bunny ebola" disease that was mentioned on the forum a while ago is it? Hope not. Was it obvious that the "infection" was caused by a wound or could it have been something else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmancaver Posted February 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 The infection was on both hindquarters of the rabbit and you could literally see the infected area UNDER the muscle on both hind legs. I did immediately wonder whetehr it had suffered a 'through and through', and forensic examination of the area revealed holes/tears in the muscle on both sides (sorry I watch too much CSI ! ) Yes the area is occassionally ferreted, in fact it was probably ferreted last weekend. Don't know whether this would be typical injuries caused by a ferret as I have never watched them at work. Thanks for the replies, and although the coney appeared to be able to move about ok, I am sure that it must have been in pain, so I am glad I put it down, even if I missed my rabbit casserole today and had to make do with a cheese sarnie ! ! ! Karl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatingisbest Posted February 13, 2006 Report Share Posted February 13, 2006 at least you put him out of his misery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fert Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 sounds like the rabbit was up a dead end and the ferret must have been scraping and scratting at his back. but the ferret must have come away. so the rabbit survived as a rule your ferret usually stays with them and you dig down to them see sporting pics and have a look if the rabbits rear looked like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the pelt man Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 should have taken him home to eat anyway. Wouldn't have had to make any sauce would you. The Pelt Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P03 Posted February 16, 2006 Report Share Posted February 16, 2006 Not nice TPM NOT NICE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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