What is the ruling on one who hunts a rabbit outside the Miqat and brings it into the Haram, and is it permissible to eat its game?

Scholars have differed regarding one who hunts game outside the Haram and then brings it into the Haram: is he obligated to release it, or is he permitted to dispose of it? There are two opinions:

The Majority (Hanafis, Malikis, and Hanbalis): He is obligated to release it, because the Haram forbids hunting and necessitates guaranteeing the game, similar to the state of ihram. If he does not release it and it perishes, he is liable for its guarantee. The Shafi'is: He is not liable for it, and he may keep it and dispose of it, because it was game hunted in a permissible area.

Adopting the opinion of the majority is more cautious and more absolving of responsibility, so it is advisable to release the game as a precautionary measure.