Hare Season Opener: what are you making?? Post your pics!

[HarryToolips]

Gonna make some hare stew: and I'm a terrible cook:-D. Anyone have good recipes??

http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y364/harrytoolips/DSCN3244_zpsf7sgdlos.jpg (http://s1030.photobucket.com/user/harrytoolips/media/DSCN3244_zpsf7sgdlos.jpg.html)

[Elkchaser]

Google Greek rabbit recipes. Few years ago had 1/2 rabbit (split down the middle) at an old Greek restaurant in penticton. They start prep/marinade day before so they usually run out. From searching myself probably a "stiffado" recipe. Most tender, delicious rabbit I've ever had. Making me hungry typing.

[Chango]

Nice!

http://honest-food.net/wild-game/rabbit-hare-squirrel-recipes/


https://youtu.be/U-Rzbyh9PCc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=14&v=U-Rzbyh9PCc

[HarryToolips]

Wicked thanks guys...

[Trojans16]

Great way to spend a stat:
http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag241/blair_gray6/image.jpg1_zpsexttc2vz.jpg (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/blair_gray6/media/image.jpg1_zpsexttc2vz.jpg.html)

Good on the bbq too!

[Daybreak]

Your dog certainly looks pleased with himself and wanting to get back out there.:smile: Is there any way of stopping a rabbit on the run, (other than dropping it)? I was told a sharp whistle might stop them but I can't whistle, (or dance).

[adriaticum]

Make Brunswick Stew with the bunnies

[Wentrot]

Fawk. Wish I could find a good area. Me want stew

[ActionJackson017]

Brought a hare home last fall and we made "rabbit lettuce wraps" with it. Diced up the rabbit real fine, big ice berg lettuce leaves, and hoisin sauce mixed with chopped garlic for the sauce. Kids couldn't get enough and can't wait for me to go out again this year. Win win. :)

[IslandBC]

God damn I went out today to set up a trail cam for some pre season scouting for BT's and there was hare EVERYWHERE . I brought my bow to do some practice shots on the way back from scouting . Got to put a few stocks on a few hare. Was actually pretty fun. When they hear that draw back. There gone. Bringing coey next time

[sapper]

Trojans16, what kind of dog is that? It looks like an interesting hybrid.

[HarryToolips]

Nice work there Trojan...

[Trojans16]

I use a whistle with the dog and I haven't yet noticed one stop when it's blown. Running their only defence, think there is only one way to stop them in their tracks:-D. I've noticed driving up to them that they will usually let you get to about 30 yards, any closer and they blow out before you can get out and get a shot off. I use the 22 when we see them from the truck but most of the time the dog is chasing them all over and i (try) hit them with the shot gun. Two of each today. Fun stuff while we wait for the season to really kick off.

On a similar note the dog has been pointing a lot of grouse so far. Looks to be a good year for the chickens.

[HarryToolips]

Fawk. Wish I could find a good area. Me want stew
I personally have had very little success with rabbit on foot..I like drivin roads with the re-planted cut blocks with all that deciduous plant growth lining the sides of the road..I drive these roads right now from about 7:00 to 8:00 PM during this time of year, I find that is the magic hour for hare right now, after 8 or 8:15 at night I don't see very many, I'm guessing their on the road during 'magic hour' soaking up the last bit of warmth on the road..

[Trojans16]

He's a pudelpointer, sounds and looks like a hybrid, but actually a german breed similar to a german wire hair or griffon.

[HarryToolips]

I use a whistle with the dog and I haven't yet noticed one stop when it's blown. Running their only defence, think there is only one way to stop them in their tracks:-D. I've noticed driving up to them that they will usually let you get to about 30 yards, any closer and they blow out before you can get out and get a shot off. I use the 22 when we see them from the truck but most of the time the dog is chasing them all over and i (try) hit them with the shot gun. Two of each today. Fun stuff while we wait for the season to really kick off.

On a similar note the dog has been pointing a lot of grouse so far. Looks to be a good year for the chickens.
I noticed the exact same thing, closer than 30 yards and they're gone..

[hare_assassin]

Way to go, guys!

I fully intended to get out there for the opener, but it just didn't work out that way. I've got a couple more days off, so maybe Wednesday I'll get out there and erase some hare heads.

For me, on foot is the only way, and I prefer early morning at this time of the year.

[ActionJackson017]

Remind me hare_assassin, do you use a 22LR or a .17HMR? I'm thinking sighting in a 50m (currently sighted in a 25m) with my 22LR but toying with the idea of trading for a .17HMR.

[hare_assassin]

Remind me hare_assassin, do you use a 22LR or a .17HMR? I'm thinking sighting in a 50m (currently sighted in a 25m) with my 22LR but toying with the idea of trading for a .17HMR.

.22WMR for me. Zeroed at about 75m, which gives me pretty-much flat from 20-100.

My Savage 93F likes the 30-33 grain poly-tipped from Hornady, CCI and Rem. (The hares don't like 'em so much)

[IslandBC]

I took some of hare_assassins advice last season. Find a road with some hare on it and keep hitting the road up and down. Walk ten paces stop and look. Walk ten stop and look. They get nervous and flush themselves. If there's one there's a lot around

[Lastcar]

Way to go, guys!

I fully intended to get out there for the opener, but it just didn't work out that way. I've got a couple more days off, so maybe Wednesday I'll get out there and erase some hare heads.

For me, on foot is the only way, and I prefer early morning at this time of the year.

You were a legend around the fire (propane of course) this weekend.

We had a good chuckle and admiration at your dedication and proficiency to what is pretty fun hunt and plenty fine game meat.

Look forward to the posts of your success!

[hare_assassin]

I took some of hare_assassins advice last season. Find a road with some hare on it and keep hitting the road up and down. Walk ten paces stop and look. Walk ten stop and look. They get nervous and flush themselves. If there's one there's a lot around

Glad it worked out for you!

Yes, there's never just one hare. If you see any, there's 10 times as many that you're not seeing. As time goes on, you start to see more and more of them. Sometimes even in your dreams. :D

[hare_assassin]

You were a legend around the fire (propane of course) this weekend.

We had a good chuckle and admiration at your dedication and proficiency to what is pretty fun hunt and plenty fine game meat.

Look forward to the posts of your success!

LOL

Fine game meat indeed, especially if you take the time to cook them in a way that does them justice, as Hank Shaw does. (See Chango's post on page 1). I've used many of Hank's recipes and they are all excellent. Truly gourmet.

Yet, after eating 88 of the f$^#ers last season I am very much looking forward to putting some more deer/moose/grouse...anything(!) in the freezer. :)

[hare_assassin]

Tip: Anyone trying to convince wives, children, etc. to get their hunting licences so they can help harvest the family's meat...

Feed them nothing but snowshoe hares for an entire winter.

Worked for me. :)

[HarryToolips]

All good info there Assassin...when doing the walk'10 yards stop tactic, what distance do you usually get a shot at? Also, I did em in a soup, but I'm thinkin theres got to be a good way to skewer them whole or something?? Do you get much meat from areas other than the legs or do you find with how scrawny they are that's just a waste of time??

[hare_assassin]

All good info there Assassin...when doing the walk'10 yards stop tactic, what distance do you usually get a shot at? Also, I did em in a soup, but I'm thinkin theres got to be a good way to skewer them whole or something?? Do you get much meat from areas other than the legs or do you find with how scrawny they are that's just a waste of time??


I usually take them between 20 and 40 yards, but sometimes I get within 5 yards before noticing them tucked in under some branches/shrubs. The trick then is to not let them know you've seen them. Other times I see them way up the road at 60 to 80 yards and then get out the shooting sticks and snipe them.

The backstraps (saddle) hold a lot of meat and it is very much worth the effort. See my video for a demo of how much meat is where:


http://m.youtube.com/?#/watch?v=620Jr024ICk

[hare_assassin]

I usually take them between 20 and 40 yards, but sometimes I get within 5 yards before noticing them tucked in under some branches/shrubs. The trick then is to not let them know you've seen them. Other times I see them way up the road at 60 to 80 yards and then get out the shooting sticks and snipe them.

The backstraps (saddle) hold a lot of meat and it is very much worth the effort. See my video for a demo of how much meat is where:


http://m.youtube.com/?#/watch?v=620Jr024ICk


One other thing: I don't try to cook them whole, because the different cuts cook in different ways. I almost always debone and then divide the cuts up; a big bag of backstraps, a bag or three of legs, a bag of off-cuts and hearts.

[CSG]

Great meat for sure, maybe some of my favourite. I disagree on having to debone and cook each cut differently. If done properly rabbits are great when cooked whole.

Earlier this summer I brined two whole rabbits for about 4 hours, stuffed the cavities with some home made merguez sausage and herbs. One went onto the rotisserie over charcoal and the other cooked slowly on the grill. Took a little over an hour for both. Between the brine which added the seasoning and moisture to the meat and the fat from the merguez sausage basting the rabbit from the inside out it was some of the best game meat I have ever eaten!

Some will say it looks dry but it didn't eat that way, the brown bits were crisp on the outside and tasted like chicken wings from a roadside BBQ down south

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a547/CSG83/IMG_1682_1024_zpsncnq0w4o.jpg (http://s1283.photobucket.com/user/CSG83/media/IMG_1682_1024_zpsncnq0w4o.jpg.html)
http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a547/CSG83/IMG_0765_zpsixzsswia.jpg (http://s1283.photobucket.com/user/CSG83/media/IMG_0765_zpsixzsswia.jpg.html)

[HIGHRPM]

We have always used our slow cooker with a sweet and sour recipe for chicken wings, DAM GOOD !

[tuner]

In my opinion hare is a very underutilized small game species, they are far more challenging than grouse to hunt, provide more meat ( when used whole) and make tastier table fare.

[Trojans16]

I agree they are very underrated as far a species to target. I think the challenge might have something to do with that, and unless your hare_assassin your not filling the freezer, but once you find them in large numbers it is a lot of fun.

Great info on the cooking side, i usually butcher them with the bone in, but will have to try some of the other methods you guys have posted. CSG that looks awesome, will definitely try that. The backstrap, saddle holds a lot of meat and is the most tender, make sure to keep it.

[jeff341]

Great meat for sure, maybe some of my favourite. I disagree on having to debone and cook each cut differently. If done properly rabbits are great when cooked whole.

Earlier this summer I brined two whole rabbits for about 4 hours, stuffed the cavities with some home made merguez sausage and herbs. One went onto the rotisserie over charcoal and the other cooked slowly on the grill. Took a little over an hour for both. Between the brine which added the seasoning and moisture to the meat and the fat from the merguez sausage basting the rabbit from the inside out it was some of the best game meat I have ever eaten!

Some will say it looks dry but it didn't eat that way, the brown bits were crisp on the outside and tasted like chicken wings from a roadside BBQ down south

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a547/CSG83/IMG_1682_1024_zpsncnq0w4o.jpg (http://s1283.photobucket.com/user/CSG83/media/IMG_1682_1024_zpsncnq0w4o.jpg.html)
http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a547/CSG83/IMG_0765_zpsixzsswia.jpg (http://s1283.photobucket.com/user/CSG83/media/IMG_0765_zpsixzsswia.jpg.html)


I am doing this method this year for sure.........but I'll also try and braise some of the legs separately and make a homemade pappardelle and toss together. Dijon.....white wine....sage...simple

[elch jager]

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a547/CSG83/IMG_1682_1024_zpsncnq0w4o.jpg (http://s1283.photobucket.com/user/CSG83/media/IMG_1682_1024_zpsncnq0w4o.jpg.html)
http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a547/CSG83/IMG_0765_zpsixzsswia.jpg (http://s1283.photobucket.com/user/CSG83/media/IMG_0765_zpsixzsswia.jpg.html)

Looks exactly like CAT!

[scoutlt1]

Looks exactly like CAT!


Little Cecils!!! yummy! :)

[sapper]

Beautiful looking dog. We're on the lookout now for a dog for next summer that will work for all in the family but I suspect we may need two different breeds as my wife and I have quite different tastes.

[HarryToolips]

I usually take them between 20 and 40 yards, but sometimes I get within 5 yards before noticing them tucked in under some branches/shrubs. The trick then is to not let them know you've seen them. Other times I see them way up the road at 60 to 80 yards and then get out the shooting sticks and snipe them.

The backstraps (saddle) hold a lot of meat and it is very much worth the effort. See my video for a demo of how much meat is where:


http://m.youtube.com/?#/watch?v=620Jr024ICk
Good to know, thanks..

[HarryToolips]

looks tasty there CSG...

[hare_assassin]

Yes, looks good CSG.

My experience with grilling them whole didn't work out well. It is very easy to end up with boot leather if the wrong technique is used. Stuffing them with fatty sausage and herbs is a great idea, but I think controlling grill temperature is the big factor; something I am slowly figuring out.

The main reason why I am a proponent of deboning is that it makes it much easier for people to eat. Most people know their way around chicken anatomy, but when presented with a hare/rabbit it can be a challenge. Also, it's real pleasure to feast on 12 or 14 backstraps, cooked until they are falling apart, with some pesto and linguine. Yum!

The bones are never wasted at my house; they make excellent, nutritous stock for soups, stews, etc.

[wideopenthrottle]

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCMLLoMidn8gCFRBNiAodDo4F5g&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFlemis h_Giant_rabbit&bvm=bv.104226188,d.cGU&psig=AFQjCNFqKGehRd7eXbKpo5bfyStyr6XlzA&ust=1443718731183382

here is a rabbit that would make a dent in the freezer space

[Glenny]

Hasenpfeffer is really good. Good Germanian meal. yah yah yah das is from das farterland yah!!