Cortisol and aldosterone comparisons of cottontail rabbits collected by shooting, trapping, and falconry

Cortisol and aldosterone levels were measured in plasma of eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) collected by three different methods, i.e., shooting, live-trapping and falconry. Cortisol levels ranged from near 0 to 27.5 micrograms/100 ml and aldosterone from near 0 to 220 ng/100 ml. Shot animals had significantly lower cortisol concentrations than those taken by either of the other methods. Trapped cottontails also had significantly lower aldosterone levels.