74 JACK RABBITS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



is sold in even greater numbers in Eastern cities, and the bulk of the 

 supply probably comes from the Dakotas, Nebraska, Minnesota, and 

 Iowa. In Newcastle, Wyo., a single hunter killed over 100 Prairie 

 Hares for market during the season of 1803-94. One dealer in Pier- 

 point, Day County, S. Dak., reports that he has shipped from 1,200 to 

 1,500 per annum for the last three years, and a correspondent in Water- 

 town, S. Dak., writes that probably 50,000 rabbits were killed in Cod- 

 ington County, S. Dak., last season, although not all were used for 

 food. Tlie severe winter following the drought of 1891 resulted in the 

 destruction of larger numbers than usual, and no doubt many persons 

 in Dakota and Nebraska gladly availed themselves of this source of 

 supply. 



As already stated, part of the game in California is secured by 

 means of rabbit drives. In eastern Colorado large (quantities are killed 

 during the annual hunts at Lamar and Las Animas, but as the rabbits 

 are killed for sport, and not especially for market, many of them are 

 donated to the poor of Denver and Pueblo. In Kansas large numbers 

 of jack rabbits are killed after heavy snowfalls, and in Chautauqua and 

 Montgomery counties it is said that the farmers sometimes bring them 

 in by the wagon load; the hunters usually receive about 10 cents apiece 

 for them. Near McPherson one method of hunting is to stretch a wire 

 between two wagons about 200 yards apart, and allow it to drag in the 

 grass or stubble as they proceed. As the rabbits are started they are 

 shot from the wagons or by two hunters wlio follow behind. In this 

 vicinity the j)rices vary from 15 cents apiece in October, down to 5- 

 cents in January. 



Jack rabbits are shii)ped to market either by express or freight. At 

 Goshen, Cal., they are cleaned and hung up over night to cool off, and 

 are then simply placed in barley sacks (each holding from 25 to 30), 

 and sent by express. Kansas shippers usually forward the game by 

 ordinary freight during cold weather, but at other times in refrigerator 

 cars. Some pack the rabbits without ice in boxes holding from 2i 

 to 3 dozen each ; others wra|) the game in paper or excelsior and pack 

 it in barrels containing 4 or 5 dozen rabbits. Another method is 

 simply to cord them uj) in refrigerator cars, thus saving the cost of 

 packages and packing. 



• 



THE MARKET. 



Jack rabbits usually bring from 75 cents to $3 per dozen, depending 

 on the demand and the expense of shipping. In some cases they are 

 sold at a much higher figure. During the winter of 1890 some black- 

 tailed jack rabbits were sold at retail in the New York market at $1.50 

 per pair,' and in December 1895, a few Prairie Hares were retailed in 

 the Washington market at $1 apiece. 



'Mearns, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., II, Feb., 1890, p. 298, footnote. 



