I shot at least several metric tons of both rabbits and squirrels with a .22 when I was a small fry, but, I haven't done it in so long I might think twice before trying it today. I never shoot either in the presence of my setters, and got my first setter at age 27, so a good 20 years has passed since I victimized a member of either species.
Shot a few with a 20 gauge shotgun when that was all I had, and never noticed anything nasty from the guts getting on the meat. I was working part time, and going to school full time, so, actual hunger may have been a factor. As I got older, we always cooked them as a bonus to the pheasants or grouse we took, they stunk up the pan just as well or better.
I went hunting with a friend who had a well trained Basset hound (???!!!) which was a hilarious experience. A cotton tail somehow is aware he has nothing to fear from a Basset hound that is in full song, (and stepping on his ears and falling down) and just runs in a big circle, at which point, if you can control your laughter, you wait 'till the bunny stops, and plug him with a trusty .22 short.
I've got a lot of great memories of those days, but, they are tempered by the fact that rabbits and tree rats were often all I could find to shoot regularly, on the property I had access to as a kid. I would have rather had birds. I'd rather hunt birds with a dog, and these days, thats what I do.
Best,
Ted
