The old tale about only taking rabbit during months with an "R" has more to do with the presence of bot fly larva ("wolves" in Texas). These may be found under the skin of the neck or back during warm weather months....the first frost of the year (or possibly just the time of year....as "first frost" in Texas may be in late December some years) causes them to mature and leave the rabbit.
The larva are ugly but harmless and are btween the skin and meat.....not "in" the meat.....and easy to remove when skinning. I knoiw there are suposed to be some diseases that rabbits have (rabbit fever), but never knew anyone who contracted such......and we always have eaten rabbits 12 months out of the year. Maybe we were just lucky, but I'd not worry too much if I wre you.
By the way, older cottontails and swamp rabbits CAN be pretty tough. We always boil them (or pressure cook) first.....then batter and fry. Or, just use the half-grown ones for fryers and use the older rabbits in stews and soups.
