Hares commonly seen in cities - good to eat?

A

archerynut

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hello forum members, just a quick question for those of us so informed on the above mentioned subject.

within the past 5 to 7 years, there has been a population explosion of hares in our city. I remember not too long ago when the only critters we had in our neighbourhood were the odd wayward gophers. but not anymore. we have a number, at least 4 that I know of, of hares. some are smaller than others but they all appear to be the same species. the Peter Lougheed Hospital where I work which is about a 10 minute bike ride away has dozens of hares on the property. in the evening when I leave work I pass some grassy sitting spaces and count numerous examples. when I ride my mountain bike home at night and I'm really bootin' along, I have very nearly greased out on a hare that chose to run across the path on which I am riding.

the point I'm trying to make is that we have hundreds of these critters in our immediate vicinity. so of course I started wondering whether they are good to eat and whether or not one of these hares would be easy to catch to find out if its any good to eat. has anyone else done this?
 
I've eaten lots of snowshoe hares and they're pretty good table fair, a favourite of mine is to shake and bake them as you would a chicken.
I don't see why city Hares would be any different than rural Hares. The only advice I was ever given on wild rabbits in general was years ago by my grandmother and that was "look at the back sides of the ears, if there are small bubbles leave it alone". It may have been an old wives tale but I've followed it and haven't every got sick from eating them. Also I have seen Hares with the small bubbles (blisters) on the ears so it is something that they do get.
 
:D
archerynut said:
hello forum members, just a quick question for those of us so informed on the above mentioned subject.

within the past 5 to 7 years, there has been a population explosion of hares in our city. I remember not too long ago when the only critters we had in our neighbourhood were the odd wayward gophers. but not anymore. we have a number, at least 4 that I know of, of hares. some are smaller than others but they all appear to be the same species. the Peter Lougheed Hospital where I work which is about a 10 minute bike ride away has dozens of hares on the property. in the evening when I leave work I pass some grassy sitting spaces and count numerous examples. when I ride my mountain bike home at night and I'm really bootin' along, I have very nearly greased out on a hare that chose to run across the path on which I am riding.

the point I'm trying to make is that we have hundreds of these critters in our immediate vicinity. so of course I started wondering whether they are good to eat and whether or not one of these hares would be easy to catch to find out if its any good to eat. has anyone else done this?
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Leave em for the coyotes, the other varmint infestation you guys suffer from , so they won't eat your dog. :) Probably get in serious doo doo as well harming a hair on a hare in the city. There do seem to be lots around there. I've spotted them several times just off Barlow.




Grizz
 
I was at Northlands for the Horse races last night, and there were a bunch of them on the infield. I was waiting for one to run out during a race.
 
Depends on weather or not they have been feasting on the homeless.

monty.python.holy_.grail_.bunny_.rabbit.jpeg
 
Legalities aside, I'm pretty sure you in Calgary are seeing whitetailed jackrabbits.
The bigger cousin to the snowshoehare. But I could be wrong.
They make excellent tablefare if one follows the large hare recipes, such as German Hasenpfeffer.
The smaller ones are snowshoehares. Also excellent eating.
 
Brutus said:
Legalities aside, I'm pretty sure you in Calgary are seeing whitetailed jackrabbits.
The bigger cousin to the snowshoehare. But I could be wrong.
They make excellent tablefare if one follows the large hare recipes, such as German Hasenpfeffer.
The smaller ones are snowshoehares. Also excellent eating.
Click to expand...

Never into rabbits or hares, but they are big and turn white in the winter. :D


Grizz
 
If they are jack rabbits (black tail prairie hare) they are fairly tough. Stew is best. If fried or roasted cook slow & have something for moisture. ie; marinated, bacon,apple onion & carrot slices. Do not worry about external parasites- they all have them. If the meat has black blotches or blisters chuck it. It is worth a try for sure. Bush rabbits are better but I have eaten a lot of jacks and like them as well.
 
It's the white tailed jackrabbit. They have moved into cities across AB in the last 10-15 years. Hardly see them outside of town now but I used to spend hours hunting and snaring jacks when i was growing up in rural Alberta.

Not bad eating. Unlike domestic rabbit, wild rabbit has hardly any trace of fat so it tends to be dry if you roast it and tough if you fry it. It's better in a stew or slowcooker with potatos, carrots, salt and pepper and a bit of poultry seasoning.
 
Small groups of domesticated rabbits are common in city limits, most of the rabbits you see in the urban areas have been set free or escaped from poorly fenced yards.... a high reproductive rate and low predator loss in a colony makes for some shocking population growth but domestics have a hard time wintering and -40 thins them out.

Parasites spread rapidly in large groups and rabbits are notorious for ear mites and lung infections not to mention various types of worms and fleas, examin the liver and lungs for black spots and observe the overall health of the animal before you decide to put your hands on it... An anamal that appears gaunt with mange should be left afield IMHO.

I prefer my rabbit either wild and free in the country or raised in a cage in my back yard... When they live in an urban setting health issues tend to be prevalent
 
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