A few questions about hunting gear.

[gabrielgarza]

Well, I am about to trap my first bird in a few weeks. I am very excited! There are a few more things that I need to finish up. I also started looking into hunting gear, but was unsure about exactly what gear would be good to have. I assume a hunting knife. What kind is best for dispatching / opening prey for your bird? Will any sharp knife work? I will be hunting jack rabbits and cotton tails. Should I invest in hunting shears? 

Thanks

[nanahawk]

1 vote for game shears here. They are great for the field. And you run less of a risk of hurting your hawk while dispatching.

[Master Yarak]

I use shears. The foot speed of a stimulated redtail is blinding. A knife in proximity of those toes seems to be inviting Murphy. I've not had to kill a ct or swamp rabbit. She did that. I carried a compass and styptic powder, and and extra pair of jesses.
Yarak

[gabrielgarza]

Thank You. Are there certain game shears that might be more suitable than others?

[Deleted]

www.healthcareimprint.com/store/iso-certified-medical-shears


get medical saefty sheers, attwoods stock them in the horse medical supplies, get the larger ones. The run about $6 you wont need anything else, first responders use them to cut through cloths and they will cut though just about anything

[Falcon Boy]

Sept 4, 2014 16:16:36 GMT -5 gabrielgarza said:

Thank You. Are there certain game shears that might be more suitable than others?

Some people use medical shears like Steve linked to. I've personally always gotten regular kitchen shears with rounded tips, but that was because I've never seen the medical shears for $6 before (thanks for the link Steve). I find its easier for me to just buy a new pair of shears rather than try and sharpen them when they get dull, $6/season ain't bad!

[gabrielgarza]

Thanks a bunch guys

[gabrielgarza]

I just found some 7 1/2" medical shears on Ebay for $3.95 with free shipping

[Ally]

I use regular hunting game shears but I have the HARDEST time finding shears that I can use (being left handed kinda sucks in scissors situations). So once I find something that works I kinda stick with it First aid kit, extra jesses, plastic bag so quarry doesn't bleed through your vest and soak you.

[megapode]

I use game shears. I prefer to dispatch big jack rabbits with a thin,slightly sharp philips screwdriver like the kind used to fix computers through the ear canal. It is not as bloody and incapacitates faster IMO. I can cut off a foreleg with the shears, but can usually trade off of a big jack with fur on for a dead quail with the breast meat exposed faster. That way the Jack goes in the game bag without bleeding down my leg.

The knife stays in the car for the reasons stated above.

[Deleted]

The problem with spikes or screw drivers is there is a risk youi could hurt your birds as it tries to secure the head. not somthing i would do. Also the brain of a rabbit is only about 5cm. so you have every chance of missing it as well. Dispatch the Rabbit/Jack using the stretching method then apply presure on its chest so death is quick and without pain. Then use your sheers to open the rabbit up. there is a trick for getting the rabbit to pass its bladder by running a finger down it's belly. Rabbit bladders are very week. this saves the meat for if you want to eat it.

[talonsgrip22]

Sept 7, 2014 0:18:10 GMT -5 Ally said:

I use regular hunting game shears but I have the HARDEST time finding shears that I can use (being left handed kinda sucks in scissors situations). So once I find something that works I kinda stick with it First aid kit, extra jesses, plastic bag so quarry doesn't bleed through your vest and soak you.

Try Fiskers Micro-Tip shear from Home Depot. Lefties seem to like it.