Thread: How soon should I process a freshly killed rabbit?

Originally Posted by kruza

Once shot ( head shot gets rid of any chance of rupturing organs that may taint the meat and brusing) Lift the rabbit up by its front legs ,wrap your hand around its body and gentally push your thumb against it underside and run your hand down the length of the body a few times. This will get most of shit and piss out of it. Gut it in the field, if your going to continue hunting. You can put it in a bag but its going to keep leaking blood even after its gutted and bleed out. (So some sort of bag lining might help) Take a bottle of water with you (somerthing like a power aid bottle with a top you drink from) and rince the gut cavity after you gut it.
You dont have to gut it in the field, I often bring them back whole but not if ive shot them through the organs or id im going to be out for a while
. Im guessing from the question that you havent skinned to many either that will be easier to do back at where ever you are staying.
The biggest thing to be aware of is the direction your shooting in. A .22 can travel a km or 2 so dont shot rabbits on the edge of gullies or top of slopes where if you dont hit it the bullet has nothing to stop it.
Mostly take your time, dont feel you have to take the shot if its running off. Probly anther one not to far away.
Take note of any muck ups you make and learn from them.
Take a couple of shots at a target before you head out to make sure gun is shooting where you are aiming. Enjoy yourself.

Cheers mate. From what you and others are saying its probably easiest to gut in the field and continue skinning/breaking down the meat back at home base.

Even thought its a measly air rifle I will be using, I am itching to start sourcing some meat for the family. FAL couldn't come any sooner...