Wild Meat - how can you tell if it is safe to eat??

[Big_bazza99]

I have some land that has a number of rabbits on it. Over last year, the population has grown somewhat and they seem to be digging out new burrows in new areas on the field. I intend to shoot a few with my air rifle, but would like to cook them.

How do I know if the rabbit is safe to eat and not diseased or home to any nasty parasites? Is there anything I should check to be safe?

Many thanks

Paul

 

[Raybennett]

Early spring I've been told they are very milky and no good to eat. Basically I use my common sense. You want a picture perfect bunny. You dint want bulging eyes or any sores. And you don't want any lumps or growths on the meat. This is just how I go about it. I'm sure some better educated folk will have more effective ways.

 

[JonathanD]

It's also good to check the liver for any spots or abnormailities.

 

[Raybennett]

Yeah good point. Should have pointed that out instead of just saying "meat" haha.

 

[nuggets]

i,ve heard a rabbit with myxy is still good to eat !! Any truth in this ??

 

[Barn Owl]

Mixy doesn't mean it's totally unsafe to eat.

If the 'meat' looks and smells ok, then a thorough cook through should kill off most nasties.

Follow what your eyes and nose tell you and you'll be safe enough.

 

[Raybennett]

I fish for trout at westlowe mere in congleton. It's full of them there literally. But no body eats them for the mixy. I just left it at that and never questioned it. So I don't honestly know. And would wanna see someone eat it first. Haha.

 

[bikething]

i,ve heard a rabbit with myxy is still good to eat !! Any truth in this ??

I've heard it may be safe to eat... (provided it's cooked thoroughly)


dunno about good though

 

[Barn Owl]

I haven't eaten it myself, any mixy rabbits I come across are killed and left as carrion.

 

[Raybennett]

The same happens at westlowe. And they're rewarded with all sorts or birds of prey visiting.

 

[Broch]

A lot of rabbits carry mixy without showing signs so, if you kill and eat much, you've probably eaten a mixy rabbit.

Basically I only eat game that looks, smells, and appears healthy and I'm OK (ish )

Cheers,

Broch

 

[bikething]

I fish for trout at westlowe mere in congleton. It's full of them there literally. But no body eats them for the mixy.

That's a new one on me... AFAIK Mixy is specifically a rabbit problem

Myxomatosis is caused by the myxoma virus, a type of pox virus that only affects rabbits. It was first discovered in 1896 in Uruguay and was imported to Australia in 1951 to control its large rabbit populations - initially having the desired devastating effect. The disease was illegally introduced to France in 1952 and it appeared in Britain the following year. It quickly spread to both wild and domestic rabbit populations and within a few years had spread throughout Europe. Myxomatosis has been a threat to wild and domestic rabbits ever since

from here

 

[Raybennett]

That's that then. I did a few weeks in an abatoir in my teens. The meat inspector then basically just examined the carcass, liver kidney and heart. It's all common sense I think. If it smells bad. It isn't going to taste any better.

 

[Raybennett]

Sorry. I meant nobody eats the rabbits. Not the trout. Haha. The trout are lovely, especially if it's a grown on one.

 

[bikething]

It's all common sense I think. If it smells bad. It isn't going to taste any better.

The main problem I have with this method......


... is that I have no sense of smell

 

[Raybennett]

Again, common sense. Surely you can tell if a piece of meat has gone past it? Sight smell and touch all come in in deciding.

 

[bikething]

You can tell (I'm told) that meat has gone off by the smell, long before you see any change in it.... but that's more applicable to stored meat, rather than "freshly picked"

 

[Everything Mac]

I haven't eaten it myself, any mixy rabbits I come across are killed and left as carrion.

Likewise Tam. Though if there is a fire going (big fire) I'll burn them. Mixy is nasty and I always try and put them out of their misery.


As for the meat, as said really check for any signs of abnormalities, spots sores etc. smells ok.

All the best

Andy

Ps -send some my way would you? not had rabbit is a year or so now!

 

[Barn Owl]

Likewise Tam. Though if there is a fire going (big fire) I'll burn them. Mixy is nasty and I always try and put them out of their misery.


As for the meat, as said really check for any signs of abnormalities, spots sores etc. smells ok.

All the best

Andy

Ps -send some my way would you? not had rabbit is a year or so now!

Still studying in Glasgow?

I'm sure one of us can get you one soon enough.
I'm not hunting myself at the mo', though I'll see if anyone's got some in the freezer or taking any out round about.

 

[Adze]

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58587&page=1

This was asked a little while ago too.