Safe to eat the rabbits around here? Is it worth taking their pelts to make something? Or is it simply a pest control thing?
Proper handling of any game is paramount. Bring rubber gloves for gutting.
Look for blisters on the skin, myaoxatosis. Like in the cartoon Watership Down.
Check the liver, it should be the deep red color of beef liver, one buys in the store. An 'ill' liver will have lighter shade and even white spots. (not good)
Any rabbit slow and lathargic, should be avoided.
Also when gutting check for larval parasites, (milky white specks) especially in the spinal area under the organs. If there any there, discard, ensuring no dogs will access the body cavity.
Dogs are much more suspectable to rabbit diseases than man, but even fleas and other insects (ticks)will abandon the dead host when the body heat disappears.
If you have hunting dogs, PLEASE ensure they have all of thier shots.
And mention to the vet, your intentions to hunt with the dog.
It's really sad and irresponsible to see persons have there beagle put down, only because the owner neglected thier anti-parasitic shots!
It's not uncommon for large red fleas to leap onto human hosts then the hunter is gutting/skinning said bunny.
As the coldest long winter months carry on, the healthier rabbits will survive, and the ill ones, generally pass away as a rule.
In the days of past, hungry trappers/settlers, used to overlook many signs of animal illness, and cook the heck out of game, to prevent starvation.
In these modern/easier days, medical staff warn us not to risk our health, unless one has no other choice.
Some of the best dishes I used for jackrabbits/hares was the German Hascenpeffer recipes.
(just cut down on the tremendous amounts of vinegar!)
