I am living in area WMU65 on the MNR map and know nothing of hunting. Was thinking that getting a small game license and taking a stab at wabbit hunting. I searched and read the lot of threads here, but nothing is specific to my area. The rabbits in my backyard are brown and mottled, sometimes with puffs of white fur. Can I shoot and eat these buggers? I want a pelt too, will these guys change colour to a nice white when the snow comes?
Are rabbits in the Ottawa area edilble?
- Thread starter lord-humungous
- Start date
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
here is a snow shoe, most likely whats in your area, and yes they will turn colour
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
Get a small game license...the season in WMU 65 is Sept. 20 -March 31.
The limit is 6. Fun to hunt, good to eat.
6 per day?
I don't know much about rabbits. BUT, they're probably cotton-tails and they're shedding which is why they're ragged looking. (I don't think they're snow shoes..they're brown in color. And they're not Jacks.)
Apparently they're very good eating, and healthy to eat. A viable alternative to chicken.
Apparently they're very good eating, and healthy to eat. A viable alternative to chicken.
Excelent, 6 day should be plenty. I don't have that big an appetite anyway
I was thinking of hunting in Larose Forest, is this a decent location? Or is there a better choice?
They're everywhere. Larose is a good choice....you could try Limerick or Marlbourough too...
Larose Forest would not be my 1st choice to hunt rabbits...their diet would include alot of cedar/ coniferous.
Better off to find some location near clover fields/ apple trees.
As for the limit...the only guideline is "daily limit: 6". I'm sure someone will chime-in if they know about a max. possession limit.
(I have never had more than 6 at one time so I never had to get a definitive answer.)
It's mostly varying hares that we have here, with a few cottontails closer to civilization.
Better off to find some location near clover fields/ apple trees.
As for the limit...the only guideline is "daily limit: 6". I'm sure someone will chime-in if they know about a max. possession limit.
(I have never had more than 6 at one time so I never had to get a definitive answer.)
It's mostly varying hares that we have here, with a few cottontails closer to civilization.
MauserMike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
I'm pretty sure there are no jacks or cotton tails that far north. Probably all snowshoe (varying) hares.
Are they editable? HELL YA!
You will find that the population moves in a 8-10 year cycle. For a few years, you will see them everywhere, and then it will taper out and there will seem like there are none.
We used to limit out in 2 hours just west of Ottawa (Almonte area) in the cedar bush back about 10 years ago. Shotgun, close range just walking around beating the bushes until one would run.
The thing about rabbits is that they live in a fairly small area and if you scare one off, it will come back shortly, so you can either wait and just circle back in 15 minutes.
I once shot at one on one day and apparently missed him as he was sunning under a tree. The next day I went back and put the sneak on SWAT team style with the shotgun at the shoulder. Sure enough it was in the exact same place sunning itself. Turns out I had hit it in the back foot and only injured it slightly the first day. Second day it did not escape
I always wanted to hunt bunnys with a dog, but haven't had the chance. Took my dog once (lab/retriever) when he was young and he scared a bunch of them up having a great time until the first shot went off and he went back to the car and hid.
You may find the odd cotton tail near Ottawa, but they are rare. They will be varying hares that you see mostly.
You will find that the population moves in a 8-10 year cycle. For a few years, you will see them everywhere, and then it will taper out and there will seem like there are none.
We used to limit out in 2 hours just west of Ottawa (Almonte area) in the cedar bush back about 10 years ago. Shotgun, close range just walking around beating the bushes until one would run.
The thing about rabbits is that they live in a fairly small area and if you scare one off, it will come back shortly, so you can either wait and just circle back in 15 minutes.
I once shot at one on one day and apparently missed him as he was sunning under a tree. The next day I went back and put the sneak on SWAT team style with the shotgun at the shoulder. Sure enough it was in the exact same place sunning itself. Turns out I had hit it in the back foot and only injured it slightly the first day. Second day it did not escape
I always wanted to hunt bunnys with a dog, but haven't had the chance. Took my dog once (lab/retriever) when he was young and he scared a bunch of them up having a great time until the first shot went off and he went back to the car and hid.
You may find the odd cotton tail near Ottawa, but they are rare. They will be varying hares that you see mostly.
Depends if on the terrain I guess. Where we hunted it was THICK so you damned near had to step on them to see them and then shoot them on the run. If you can do that with a .22 - have at it!
If where you are it is more open it can definitely be done.
canadian hunter312
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County
snowshoes are brown in the warm months and white in the winter
all rabbits are great eating...get out there and blast some
snowshoes are brown in the warm months and white in the winter
Shows how much I know about bunnies.
They probably all taste like chicken.
