Jackrabbit questions

[Zak]

I went hunting for cottontails last weekend and ran across a jackrabbit, so I quickly shot it. Here's some questions I had:

1) My shotgun was loaded with #6 steel shot, and some online research shows #4 may be more appropriate. Should I have just ignored the jack since I didn't have the ideal shot size? Or is the difference between #4 and #6 not a big deal?

2) Is it good practice to keep shooting your target until it stops moving?

3) I read that jackrabbits contain parasites, so I didn't collect it. I'm wondering if this is acceptable and if there are other situations where you don't collect your harvest?

Thanks guys. And I'm really happy that I got it, those things are fast!

 

[Hunt4lyf]

I went hunting for cottontails last weekend and ran across a jackrabbit, so I quickly shot it. Here's some questions I had:

1) My shotgun was loaded with #6 steel shot, and some online research shows #4 may be more appropriate. Should I have just ignored the jack since I didn't have the ideal shot size? Or is the difference between #4 and #6 not a big deal?

2) Is it good practice to keep shooting your target until it stops moving?

3) I read that jackrabbits contain parasites, so I didn't collect it. I'm wondering if this is acceptable and if there are other situations where you don't collect your harvest?

Thanks guys. And I'm really happy that I got it, those things are fast!

1. Did it die? 4's might be better but if 6's are what you have and they worked then just roll with it.

2. Yup

3. All rabbits can carry bad stuff, check the liver to look for spots on it and wear rubber gloves to dress them.

I've shot both jacks and cotton's with worms in them and bot fly in the skin, I won't eat them if I see that.

Google recipes for hares and rabbits, there's tons of them out there.

Congrats on the rabbits!

 

[Zak]

1. Did it die? 4's might be better but if 6's are what you have and they worked then just roll with it.

I forgot to write that I DID successfully get the jackrabbit, but I had to shoot it 4 times in quick succession until it stopped moving. I'm not sure if this is attributable to the shot size, my aim, or distance (maybe ~15-20 yards).

 

[TRICER]

Just shoot it once with whatever is in the gun. If it is still moving a boot to the head stops that quick.

 

[GUNDOGLOVER]

I find # .22 Cal. much better. One and done. I won't shoot jacks, IMO they are not edible.

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

I went hunting for cottontails last weekend and ran across a jackrabbit, so I quickly shot it. Here's some questions I had:

1) My shotgun was loaded with #6 steel shot, and some online research shows #4 may be more appropriate. Should I have just ignored the jack since I didn't have the ideal shot size? Or is the difference between #4 and #6 not a big deal?

2) Is it good practice to keep shooting your target until it stops moving?

3) I read that jackrabbits contain parasites, so I didn't collect it. I'm wondering if this is acceptable and if there are other situations where you don't collect your harvest?

Thanks guys. And I'm really happy that I got it, those things are fast!

1) #6 works fine.

2) Yes and no.. if you've nicked the legs and it's running into the brush then put another shot at it. Otherwise if it's writhing then a swift boot to the neck will do.

3) You're fine. Only once have I ditched a rabbit (a cottontail) due to a spotted liver. I've also had botfly larvae in two bunnies, but they don't affect the meat. Filet them and you won't know anyhow.

 

[ilovesprig]

This^^^^….Filet it....

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

I forgot to write that I DID successfully get the jackrabbit, but I had to shoot it 4 times in quick succession until it stopped moving. I'm not sure if this is attributable to the shot size, my aim, or distance (maybe ~15-20 yards).

Zak,

Let's go for a jack shoot sometime.

 

[Nimrod]

3) I read that jackrabbits contain parasites, so I didn't collect it. I'm wondering if this is acceptable and if there are other situations where you don't collect your harvest?

I was taught 'If your not going to eat it, (or use it in some other way i.e. skin it for the fur)...don't shoot it'. I won't kill for the sake of killing. That said, I wouldn't collect ground squirrels or prarie dogs but I would be ok shooting them because they cause erosion, carry disease and their holes can be hazardous for livestock and humans. Many years ago I was asked to help on a specially permitted depredation hunt up north where starlings and blackbirds were ruining a crop. It was fun for a bit but when it was all said and done I didn't feel great about shooting all those birds and leaving them in the field. For me, jackrabbits are on the don't shoot list but I give props to those who shoot and eat them.

Just shoot it once with whatever is in the gun. If it is still moving a boot to the head stops that quick.

Agree! If you continue to shoot it you will ruin meat unnecessarily...

 

[Hunter527]

I like to make sushi rolls with strips of raw jackrabbit backstrap on top. Is this safe?

 

[GUNDOGLOVER]

I like to make sushi rolls with strips of raw jackrabbit backstrap on top. Is this safe?

NO

 

[MarceloF]

I like to make sushi rolls with strips of raw jackrabbit backstrap on top. Is this safe?

Do you really do that or were you joking?

 

[Hunter527]

Do you really do that or were you joking?

I like it to call it the ahi of the sagebrush!

 

[GUNDOGLOVER]

I like it to call it the ahi of the sagebrush!
[/QUO

Hell, give it a try with a side of puffer fish topped with raw chicken. Let us know how that works.

 

[CazadorSuerte]

Where is Larry when you need him? This humor is just not cutting it.

(Seriously, where are you G?)

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

I like to make sushi rolls with strips of raw jackrabbit backstrap on top. Is this safe?

No pics and it didn't happen...

 

[Hunter527]

No pics and it didn't happen...

 

[CazadorSuerte]

Nope

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

View attachment 41449

Hahahaha. Fair enough

 

[GUNDOGLOVER]

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