Jun
29
i would like to go rabbit hunting in california?
Bywhere do i start? i have an H&R break action 12 gauge, and am surrounded by cool places to hunt. i’m 16 so i would need my pop to come too right? do i need a license? and also i heard they get a disease at a certain time of year that makes it so you can’t eat them, is that true and when is this? I’M EXCITED!
4 Comments
June 29th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
You need to get permission to hunt the Governator’s bounty. If so, you will incur liberal wrath.
June 29th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
According the the California hunting regulations (1), you need a hunting license to hunt any mammal (or other small game animal) in California. In order to get one you’ll need to pass a hunter education course. So check that’s where I’d start if I were you since a hunter education course will explain the hunting regulations to you and help cover the basics of hunting you’ll need to know.
As for the disease rabbits can carry, its called tularemia.(1) Its rare, but more prevalent in rabbits during the warmer months. Ditto for other parasites that can live on rabbits. That said, California doesn’t get cold enough to really make much difference in the presence of parasites/disease which is why rabbit season opens in July in California. You can reduce the risk of tularemia by wearing latex cloves when cleaning rabbits, checking for spots on the liver of animals you shoot (if it has spots, discard it), and cooking the meat thoroughly.(3)(4)
June 29th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Yes you will need a hunting license, which means taking a Hunter’s Safety Course. Ca Fish and Game can tell you where the nearest class will be offered. Runs two weekends usually.
Wild rabbits (Cottontails) and Hares (jack rabbits) cam be found and hunted all over california. Best not to hunt them in the summertime as this is when they usually will have tularemia this is the disease you referred too. When cleaning your rabbits check to see if there are any white spots on the liver, if present discard the carcass or if you insist on eating it make sure you thoroughly cook the rabbit.
As long as you have your hunting license I don’t recall it being necessary for your dad to have to go with you but I know I always enjoyed hunting with my dad at your age.
June 29th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
J Kirsch called the statutes right.
If your close to the agricultural areas most of the farmers will allow you to hunt them with no problem as they destroy crops and cause all kinds of problems.