Here we are in the stifling heat of summer. No traditional upland bird hunting, nor any other hunting to be had for another couple months. We learned to take advantage of the relatively new "invasive species", which is a fun critter to harvest, and makes quite the delectable table fare; the Eurasian collared-dove. Most states, I think, still consider them "invasives", thus no bag limit or closed seasons. Every bit as good-tasting as mourning doves, and almost twice the weight of the breasts. Fun with 28-gauge, .22 rimfire, or pellet gun. We got lots of red meat (deer, elk, bear, etc.) in the freezers, but a bit of shooting and some fresh meat is always welcomed. Anybody else do some off-season red meat harvesting?

Those wrapped breasts got me a drooling.... too bad i dont have those doves here, only Mourning doves.

Awesome

Great way to make good use of those, Jack.

None of those here, but I do have domestic rabbits that have showed up from somewhere, the past couple months. The female just had a baby, maybe just a week and a half old. Today, I just saw another youngster, brindle color, and I’d guess a week or so older , half again as big. Not sure how that happened, and have only seen one adult rabbit so far. Wondering if this new one is from a different litter , which makes sense . I’ll see if any more appear.

I don’t mind them around , with my visiting wild turkeys.

At some point there could be plenty of rabbits “on the paw” for food if I choose

Will domestic rabbits interbreed with any wild species, Sharon, Gulo?

Sharon you do not want those European hares around, they dig multiple tunnels and they are horse ankle breakers , best take care of them now.

Nice brace of birds Jack

I don’t know, MT, what I have seen here are several “discussions” between a snowshoe hare and my domestic rabbit …they face off , stare at each other a couple minutes, then one will make a half hearted lunge at the other, then more sitting and stare downs

The two youngsters I have here now, the tiny youngest is a car on copy of momma , a yellow beige with Siamese point coloured face, ears and legs. The new youngster I just saw today, is a bit older and is brindle , beige and charcoal stripes.

I am not very near to any houses , but wherever they are coming from, they like my place. Full of clover, berry bushes, shade and of course, protection from all predators.

I’ll keep looking for signs of the snowshoe and domestic rabbit setting up house !

Didn’t realize that , thanks for the info. I have wondered where this one stays , other than under my porch stairs and barn.

I was hoping for some meat “ on the paw” , as I do love rabbit ! Haven’t had any in a long time.

I shoot ground squirrels because of what you said, they do dig holes and they have fleas. No fleas allowed .

I’ll keep an eye out for what you mentioned. Don’t like holes.

most EU hares are nocturnal so you dont see them till the witching hour
they do try to hibridize with white tailed jack rabbits, till back it the 22-250 stopped the party. A brown rabbit in a white snowy field has a large target on it back

ND used to have no season or limit on the Eurasian collared-dove, open year around. Now they count toward your morning dove limit and have the same season. They stay in town here. I have only ever seen two at the house and only saw each of them once. I keep hoping one will fly past when I morning dove hunting, but I have never seen one. They winter here in town.

N50, I see these guys all day long. Don’t know if they’re as active at night, I assume they could be.

These two wee ones are so cute I’ll just watch them for a while they fit in your hand, so small …

Nice! Gulo. Can’t shoot them here yet.