Watto Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 Are they okay to eat? I bagged three yesterday. And two were loaded with young ones. Does it matter that they are up the spout when going in the pot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 Not really, but some people say that the meat is not at its best when they are pregnant. I try to hold off shooting when I know that there are young 'uns about. Not because I shoot so many that I need to keep the population up, but more because I don't like the idea of small bunnies starving to death down a hole. Wookie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watto Posted April 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 Surely you get no shooting done! I thought they were at it like rabbits 24/7. A bit like my own life I might add. I wish... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rb5037 Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 I remember shooting my first rabbit with young ones inside. Did feel bad :wacko: Sort of put me off from shooing them when i think about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hill billy Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 You can eat rabbits that are in young mate but most people are put off by it, as for the meat it's self you will probably find that when an animal is pregnant their body fat increases so the meat will have more fat in it that usual and there is a milky taste in the meat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodger Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 (edited) If my old dad ever shot what he used to call a "milky doe" he would not eat it. On the other hand I knew an old keeper who swore they made the best eating of all. Edited April 28, 2005 by dodger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M ROBSON Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 I saw my first young Rabbit this year in mid February. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 Yes.... they did start very early this year didnt they? The climatic changes in recent years has really ******** our rabbit and pigeons seasons as they were in 'yesturyear'. Always been a wee bit put off by milkies.............. its probably all in the mind. Can remeber as a lad nailing a Hare at aroung 100 yards with my Uncles rimmy. pround as punch I ran to collect my prize, only to find it with nipples, swolen like chapel pegs, and oozing with milk. Really put me off. In actual fact, I've haven't shot one since. Paul in North Lincs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiZZeRR Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 You'd get no shooting done at all if you worried about it too much. I've got a shooting trip arranged for July so I expect to shoot pregnant rabbits...no avoiding it unless you only shoot for a few months of the year around about xmas. I've eaten rabbit at all stages and enjoyed them all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeon_decoyer Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 Not really, but some people say that the meat is not at its best when they are pregnant. I try to hold off shooting when I know that there are young 'uns about. Not because I shoot so many that I need to keep the population up, but more because I don't like the idea of small bunnies starving to death down a hole. Wookie Yer thats how I feel, I don't think there is any point in shooting baby bunnies, There basically harmless! Best to wait for them to grow up and you can get a bigger meal? :wacko: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted April 29, 2005 Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 Ah yes, but the smaller ones are even more tasty than the larger ones! The last small 'un I shot went from hopping in the field to stir-fry in 20 minutes and that included prep time and a bit of marinade! That was tasty! Wookie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted April 29, 2005 Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 This time of year I'd probably not shoot them at all but I like the farmers to see me about regularly, doing what they gave me permission to do.....keeping vermin down. I have to admit at this time of year I am very selective and limit myself to shooting 3/4 grown rabbits. So far I haven't had any pregnant does. If I knew how to tell the difference through a 9x scope at 60 yards I'd only shoot the bucks. Can anyone offer advice on sexing a rabbit at that distance at this time of year ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted April 29, 2005 Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 Its very dififcult to tell, apart form the obvious, that the pregnant bdoes are visibly alot plumper around the mid drift. I have often found that milkie does, will spend more time feeding during the day, and seem somewhat pre occupied, and sluggish. On some horse fields I shoot, you can walk quietly by at about 15 yard, and they dont even glance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_nick Posted April 29, 2005 Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 I got a pregnant one the other day, but then again the young rabbits are all out and feeding. The farmer was happy, it means 8 less bunnies running around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted May 1, 2005 Report Share Posted May 1, 2005 i have to say i cant, but according to an old book i have the way to tell is this; a doe has a longer more elegant face a buck has a broad head i will scan in the page at some point other than this......shoot it pick it up and look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M ROBSON Posted May 1, 2005 Report Share Posted May 1, 2005 Most farmers I know will tell you to shoot them BECAUSE there pregnant! When they gas them it doesn't select out which ones die. Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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