Rabbit field cleaning tip

[bigcountrysg]

I don't know exactly where this goes on the forum.

Ok so I had a talk with an advid rabbit hunter a couple days ago and I don't know how many people know this or not but I thought it was a neat, clean way to dress a rabbit in the field.

Ok what you do is hold the rabbit with one hand around its neck.
With your free hand start right underneath the rabbits front legs. Squeeze the rabbit while pulling down. Like you are trying to squeeze somthing out of a tube. Keeping squeezing the rabbit as you pull up on it. Before you know it all the messy stuff, stomach, intestines,liver,lungs,kidneys, come out the rear end of the rabbit. Then you can immediately check for worms or any other type of disease. No messy blood on your hands. You just put the rabbit in your game pouch and keep hunting.

[FREEPOP]

I saw someone do that once. I decided I didn't ever want to try it :sick:

[bigcountrysg]

I saw someone do that once. I decided I didn't ever want to try it :sick:

You know I had speculation about trying it as well. But I did on my last hunt and my god it worked. Worked pretty good. My buddy did it as well in fact he cleaned the whole rabbit with out even touching a knife. I was actaully amazed on how well it worked.

[FREEPOP]

I guess the ones that the dogs maul up, this would be a really good idea. Otherwise, I think I'll stay with the old method as the heart and lungs are the boyz treats after the hunt. They can't wait to go to the barn.

[birdshooter]

we do all are bunnies that way kinda grosse but fast and easy

[jackbob42]

I don't mess with them. As soon as I get home , the hair , legs , and backstraps come off. That's it , I'm done.

[Critter]

:yeahthat: Don't even have to mess with the guts that way.
We do it right on the tailgate before we leave the woods. Skin em, take the legs and backstraps off, stick the good parts in zip lock bags and toss the rest for the critters to eat.:D

[Utahan]

I read about squeezing rabbits a couple of years back, and for a while it was the only way I would clean a rabbit as it was very easy. The problem is when you shoot up the guts, and then squeezing it will squeez the crap out all over the place. So if the rabbit isn't gut shot, it works.

After a while, I realized that I only ever eat the back legs and straps, even the front legs aren't worth the work for me. So back legs and back meat are all I do, and then through the rest away.

Troy

[Line-Loc]

I'm with FREEPOP on this one.

Also, new site for "Michigan Rabbit Hunters"..............

Rabbithuntingonline.com

then bulletinboard

[SgtSabre]

Yep, it gets poop all over if you use a shotgun (can't help but hit the guts). Also, in my experience, anything above the diaphram stays there (heart/lungs), so you still have to dig them out

[bigcountrysg]

Well I lead shoot rabbits when I hunt them. What I mean is I shoot rabbits like I shoot birds I lead them. Rabbits move pretty fast I can honestly say I have never missed a rabbit, and I have never gutshot one either. But I am sure I will eventually. I hunt with an 870 12 gauge using 6 shot game load, with modified choke.

[Trophy Specialist]

Here's how I do it. I lived out west for four years and hunted bunnies a lot. Out there the fleas carried disease, so you didn't want to carry them. Besides the limit was 15 rabbits, so you had to basiclly clean them right on the spot where you shot them.

I put my foot on their head and pull on the hind legs until the head comes off. Then I snap all four legs and cut them off with a knife. Then I make a small cut on the back to get my fingers inside and pull in opposit dirrections until all the hide is gone. Then without gutting it, I remove the legs and put them in a bag. Then I cut through the backbone at the hip and also at the point where the shoulders were and then cut up the side of the loin to separate it from the guts putting the back in a bag. That's it, cleaned and butchered in less than two minutes. At that point I can check the guts for disease.