There are times in a Father's life when a child instills a sense of pride. This week was filled with such events. It started out last weekend when our 14 year old daughter MJ, Mary Jo and our 10 year old son Sam took their hunter safety course. Both of them passed the test on Tuesday.

On Saturday Sam bought his small game license. The rabbit season ends at on February 28, 2006 so he had one chance of bagging a wascally wabbit. We hunted at a friend's place west of Loveland and around 3:30 in the afternoon on Sunday.

I enjoyed following him around, making sure he crossed the barbed wire fences safely.

At point he made me proud. He was flushing a rabbit out of a small ravine. I heard the rabbit and I saw him close behind. Then, for apparently no reason he stooped the pursuit and met me at the fence. When I asked him why he stopped chasing the rabbit he told me that he saw the rabbit and cocked back the hammer of the .410 shotgun and did not know how to make the gun safe. I showed him how to gently release the hammer and off he went. This is a prime reason that firearm safety needs to be taught in public schools.

Sam saw this rabbit from almost 100 yards away. He stalked it, flushed it, took aim and shot it. Right afterward we field dressed it and went looking for more.

I harvested a rabbit also and as the sun went down we headed home with a treasure chest of memories. A few days later Sam had the great honor and pleasure of preparing dinner for the family. Everyone was delighted with the dinner, even his older sister MJ. Sam cooked up a recipe called Parmesan Rabbit, along with some old fashioned noodles and mixed vegetables

Parmesan Rabbit
2 rabbits
1c. bread crumbs
1 c. Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
salt and pepper
1/4 c. Olive oil
1 c. tomato juice

Cut rabbits into generous serving pieces.
In a bowl, mix bread crumbs and parmesan cheese together.
In another bowl, beat the eggs with salt and pepper.
Roll pieces of meat in crumbs.
Then dip them in the beaten egg and roll then again in crumb mixture.
Heat up the olive oil and fry the rabbit pieces over medium heat for 30 minutes.
Add tomato juice and cook for 1 hour over very low heat.
Serve with pasta and your favorite vegetables.
Serves 4 – 6 depending upon the appetite.