rabbits

brokenwings

have to say im the same qasar

i can handle dead anything ( have been forced to handle dead persons and i am not in the medical profession ) but cannot bear to see any type of killing or mistreatment of animals - despite having grown up on a farm - a farnm which was not labeled at the time but i now realize was organic and humane before its time : )

beadysam

What did you do with the pelts? Did you find a good use for them?

SAM xx

brokenwings

morning sam

unfortunately not.
this was my first time skinning and my method wasnt too neat and tidy - ended up with pelts in a few raggedy pieces

do you have suggestions for next time? i wouldnt know where to start.

beadysam

Sorry, no suggestions but it is something that interests me. There must be someone on the site with suggestions though....
SAM
XX

brokenwings

beadysam
im actually going through some self sufficient websites to find a use right now - will let you know if i find something other than a blanket which would take MANY dyed pelts to make.

squeaky

The aussie site had pictures, not many, but that is the way I was taught to do them too. I think it just comes in with practice - and a properly sharp knife is essential. If you have to use force to get a blunt knife through you risk getting a nasty cut.

A gentle sawing action to cut is better than a pushing or pressing one.

maryb

I found the first issue of a new magazine called Country Kitchen in my newsagents a couple of weeks ago and it had an article by Hugh FW about gutting and skinning rabbits complete with pictures. Looks as if each issue will have useful articles like this so I might actually subscribe.

I felt sad though reading the advice to people starting out with chickens - they must be so worried that there will be a culling order if bird flu comes to this country.

Rave

They'll just have to kill them all young and freeze them I suppose.

While I doubt I'll be gutting any rabbits myself soon I was still interested in this thread as my Grandad had a farm up until I was about 4, and I can still remember that when we used to visit him my dad would wonder off with his 12-gauge and .22 rifle in the evenings and more often than not come back with our dinner. I'm sure I spat a bit of lead shot out on the plate more than once:eek:. To this day I can't see a wild rabbit without thinking "mmm, bet that would be tasty":).

Mr_Singleton

Murtle wrote: »

can I just say thanks to brokenwings for the veggie warning at the top!!! sometimes need a little forewarning

The mind boggles.

Mojisola

beadysam wrote: »

Sorry, no suggestions but it is something that interests me. There must be someone on the site with suggestions though....

A rabbit's brain is just the amount needed to tan the hide - useful bit of information!

There's plenty of discussions on Bushcraft forums about the best ways of doing it and, no doubt, someone's made a YouTube film about it.