Gettin your rabbits dressed and cooled down fast- All out of a backpack.

PoorRichRichard · August 4, 2011, 02:56 PM

So here's what I pack in my medium sized backpack for a nice early morning or late afternoon rabbit hunt.

-Little three piece Smith and Wesson "Bulls Eye" knife set. $20 on sale at Big 5 Sporting Goods which included a nice little heavy clever for head/leg removal, a small thin incisor knife to start my skinning/gutting grove, and a medium sized knife which makes splitting the hips clean and easy.

-one small cutting board

-3 to 5 small bottles of frozen water (depending on how many rabbits I plan on taking home)

-One large gallon for water for cleaning rabbits/knifes and cutting board.

-5 to 8 plastic grocery for double or triple bagging guts/heads/legs.*I do not leave these bits on the ground or bury then in the field, as this would attract more Coyotes to my hunting ground. Also, many non-hunters hike through this area as well.

-2 or 3 large ziplock bags for the rabbits.

-One or two small bottles of cold water, and a can or two of soda which I pack next to the frozen bottles in a plastic grocery sack so I have cold drinks throughout my hike/hunt.

-Small lunch and/or some trial mix (pack trail mix next to frozen bottles if it contains chocolate chips in order to avoid sticky melted mess).

I have all I need for a fantastically relaxing day in the hills with no mess/clean up at home. Toss my knives/cutting board in the dishwasher. The wife is happy, and so am I!

PoorRichRichard · August 4, 2011, 02:58 PM

P.S. Don't forget your gun and ammo

treg · August 4, 2011, 11:06 PM

Thanks for the good post PRR.

Good to hear from the fellow small game guys on here.

aaalaska · August 5, 2011, 03:03 AM

A bit different than my method, I don't hunt till freeze up, so not so much need for ice, I carry a knife, and a pair of game shears four clips and the feet are gone, one more the heads gone, a slit in the middle of the back ,grab on both sides and pull firmly this usually results in a mostly skinned rabbit, clean up the small patches remaining, slit the chest to pelvis, splitting the pelvis , turn it over and a quick shake will drop most of the entrails,a quick check, clean up any remaining, and drop into a cotton game bag, it allows the game to bleed and doesn't lock in the heat.Of course these aren't rabbits their hares.
Alex

aaalaska · August 5, 2011, 03:05 AM

One more I rarely use the knife, all clips and splits are done with the shears.

August 4, 2011, 02:56 PM	#1
PoorRichRichard Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2011 Location: San Berdoo Posts: 262	Gettin your rabbits dressed and cooled down fast- All out of a backpack. So here's what I pack in my medium sized backpack for a nice early morning or late afternoon rabbit hunt. -Little three piece Smith and Wesson "Bulls Eye" knife set. $20 on sale at Big 5 Sporting Goods which included a nice little heavy clever for head/leg removal, a small thin incisor knife to start my skinning/gutting grove, and a medium sized knife which makes splitting the hips clean and easy. -one small cutting board -3 to 5 small bottles of frozen water (depending on how many rabbits I plan on taking home) -One large gallon for water for cleaning rabbits/knifes and cutting board. -5 to 8 plastic grocery for double or triple bagging guts/heads/legs.*I do not leave these bits on the ground or bury then in the field, as this would attract more Coyotes to my hunting ground. Also, many non-hunters hike through this area as well. -2 or 3 large ziplock bags for the rabbits. -One or two small bottles of cold water, and a can or two of soda which I pack next to the frozen bottles in a plastic grocery sack so I have cold drinks throughout my hike/hunt. -Small lunch and/or some trial mix (pack trail mix next to frozen bottles if it contains chocolate chips in order to avoid sticky melted mess). I have all I need for a fantastically relaxing day in the hills with no mess/clean up at home. Toss my knives/cutting board in the dishwasher. The wife is happy, and so am I!

August 4, 2011, 11:06 PM	#3
treg Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2006 Posts: 934	Thanks for the good post PRR. Good to hear from the fellow small game guys on here. __________________ "Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway." - John Wayne .44 Special: For those who get it, no explanation is necessary. For those who don't, no explanation is possible.

August 4, 2011, 02:58 PM	#2
PoorRichRichard Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2011 Location: San Berdoo Posts: 262	P.S. Don't forget your gun and ammo

August 5, 2011, 03:03 AM	#4
aaalaska Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2007 Location: Palmer Ak Posts: 319	A bit different than my method, I don't hunt till freeze up, so not so much need for ice, I carry a knife, and a pair of game shears four clips and the feet are gone, one more the heads gone, a slit in the middle of the back ,grab on both sides and pull firmly this usually results in a mostly skinned rabbit, clean up the small patches remaining, slit the chest to pelvis, splitting the pelvis , turn it over and a quick shake will drop most of the entrails,a quick check, clean up any remaining, and drop into a cotton game bag, it allows the game to bleed and doesn't lock in the heat.Of course these aren't rabbits their hares. Alex

August 5, 2011, 03:05 AM	#5
aaalaska Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2007 Location: Palmer Ak Posts: 319	One more I rarely use the knife, all clips and splits are done with the shears.