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AR15.COM
7/20/2012 7:33:54 AM EDT
Ive got a rabbit trap and am wanting to catch some rabbits for the freezer. Ive have heard that during a certain time of year you don't want to catch/eat them because they have some parasite.
Is there any truth to that? Is it a locational or weather type thing?

Thanks for your time.
7/20/2012 11:54:42 PM EDT
[#2]
I've killed a lot of jack rabbits but I've never eaten one. Tularemia, mange, larvae, and I read somewhere that it takes more energy to metabolize rabbit meat than you get from eating one. Not really worth it if you ask me...

I would have no problem eating a cottontail but there wasn't enough left, of the few I've shot, to eat.
7/21/2012 6:39:02 AM EDT
[#3]
I always waited untill after a hard freeze before I went rabbit hunting.  Look at their liver for white spots too.
7/26/2012 4:20:44 AM EDT
[#4]
Thanks for the replies and the link above. Looking through the comment in the link (and after googleing) it seems to go about 50/50 as to weather or not its safe to eat them any time of year.
I would think that any parasites the rabbit would carry would be the same/similar as salmonella in chickens. If its cooked enough it would kill any parasites in the meat. I could be 100% wrong, which is why I'm asking though. As far as waiting until a freeze, Id be waiting a while here as southeast Texas only freezes once in a blue moon.
Again, I appreciate the feedback. Thanks