TWO MORE DAYS ON THE HIGH PLATEAU

TALLY HO!!



GREETINGS TO ALL,

Victor Taylor (R), newest member of The Big Woods Hare Hunters of The Allegheny receives his Official Cap and Official Insignia from CEO and High Hare Man of The High Plateau after a day in The Allegheny National Forest (ANF) searching for The Omnipotent Snowshoe Hare.

Yesterday, Tuesday December 30, 2008 was spent searching for the elusive and omnipotent Snowshoe Hare on the High Plateau of The Allegheny. Veteran Hare Hunter Jim Taylor and son Vic joined the High Hare Man of the High Plateau for a day in the Big Woods.

In the Southern Big Woods the snow had all but vanished which was to our disadvantage. We may have had two hare up with one being a site chase straight to a hole under a brush pile. The omnipotent hare seem not to want to run when there is no snow on the ground. We spent several hours searching and finding sign but no Hare.



Today, Wednesday December 31, Old Jim Hanson and I, with fresh snow on the ground and high winds blowing did not have so much as a yip. We spent three hours at a location known for holding Hare. The winds were blowing through the Big Woods making the sound of a freight train. We soon decided enough was enough.



Tomorrow, January 1, 2009 will be the last day of the Pennsylvania Varying Hare season. Do not despair, the Extreme season will be starting on January 2, 2009. There is much scouting and chasing to do and I have three young hounds and pup which needs a lot of work.



Whenever your interested in going afield for a day please let me know.



Fraternally In Beagling and Hare Hunting,
Hooked on Hare,


Joe Ewing, Sr.

PENNSYLVANIA HARE SEASON 2008 and BOARD MEETING

TALLY HO!! 2008 Pennsylvania Hare Season Opener

Veteran Big Woods Hare Hunters Joe Ewing, Jr. (L) and Ray Wolford on opening day of the 2008 Pennsylvania Varying Hare Season on the High Plateau of The Allegheny.

The Pennsylvania Hare Season for 2008 opened with no success on the opening day for us. We did have some "cold trailing" from the hounds but no runs. I did get reports from other Big Woods Hare Hunters of success. "Kaz" Kazmareck reported harvesting two hare and four cottontail on opening day.

The Board Meeting and Board Dinner went off with flying success. At the oval table besides myself were Veteran Hare Hunters Ray Wolford, Bill Moreland and Joe Ewing, Jr.. We enjoyed a very good meal placed on the table by Brenda Ewing.

The second day of the hare season turned out to be better than the opening day depending on your out look. We ventured into the high plateau hemlock and spruce swamps. The weather was unique to say the least. Warm air mixed with the cold temperatures made for some thick fog in the woods.

We did manage to get a chase which lasted for a little less than two hours. The hare was sighted by all and circled at least five times.

There were other beaglers in the woods but we heard no tongueing or shooting.

The unfortunate thing was when Speckles turned up missing at the end of the day. We (Joe, Jr.) and I eventually found her with pin-point accuracy using the Tracker tracking system about a mile from where we lost her. I believe she must have gotton lost in the swamp and ventured into unknown territory.

Today, Monday December 29, Old Jim and I ventured onto the high plateau. We enjoyed success almost immediately off the tailgate with a chase that lasted almost an hour but with no sightings. This was at the same location which Ray, Bill, Joe and I tried on the first day. We are getting to know this area better and may be able to hunt it better someday.

Tomorrow I will be back on the High Plateau hunting with Jim and Vic Taylor.

TO: ALL BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY
GREETINGS and Merry Christmas,
After several days of scouting for the Omnipotent Snowshoe Hare we finally spotted a track yesterday. It was late in the afternoon so we (Old Jim Hanson and the High Hare Man) did not put the dogs on the track. Besides, we had missed lunch and Jim was having an attack of hunger pangs.
During several days of pre-season scouting we may have had a short run or two but no sightings. We did have a coyote chase from the two moose hounds. I managed to break them off with the electronics. We have spotted numerous dog, coyote or one in the same tracks this scouting season.
None the less, Friday, December 26 will be THE test for both men and hounds.
Friday's hunters will be: Veteran Hare Hunters, Joe Ewing, Jr., Ray Wolford, Bill Moreland, Jim Hanson and myself. We hope all are ready, the hounds are.
Next Tuesday the 30th of December, I will be hunting with my mentor and Veteran Hare Hunter Jim Taylor, his son Vic and a friend of theirs and hopefully, Andy Hoover.
There remains several day of hunting open if anyone is interested and has the time. All you have to do is give me a call. I will be going everyday. I will be trying for a perfect attendance certificate.
The official rules of the Big Woods Hare Hunters will be followed at all costs. The "one hour rule", the one miss rule and the two hour time limit will be followed. Also, we will not be hunting for and/or shooting any other game, fur bearer or varmint. There are reasons for these rules which need not be spelled out here.
The Board of Directors will be voting on Friday night as to whether to allow a taking of a trophy hare for the 2008-2009 season. Jim Taylor would like to have his son Victor take a trophy hare and have it mounted. This will be considered by the Board at their dinner meeting.
All for now. Have a Merry and Happy Christmas.
Fraternally In Beagling and Hare Hunting,
Hooked on Hare,
Joe Ewing

OFFICIAL CAP

THIS IS THE OFFICIAL CAP OF THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

OFFICIAL PATCH AND EMBLEM

THE OFFICIAL EMBLEM OF THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

OFFICIAL EMBLEM OF THE EXTREME HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

OFFICIAL PATCH AND EMBLEM OF THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY EXTREME

TAILS FROM THE COTTONTAIL WOODS





TO: ALL BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

THE COTTONTAIL, photo by J.R. Ewing

FROM: THE HIGH HARE MAN OF THE ALLEGHENY


GREETINGS TO ALL,

The first Eastern Cottontail season for 2008 is history. Overall, it was a good season. Not anyway near one of the best I've ever had, but... The hunting with Joe, Jr, Jim Taylor, his friends and son, Vic, and my hounds made the season worth it many times over.

During the past season the weather consisted of nearly every possible variation possible from too hot to snow, wind and cold. For some reason, the snow cover the last few days gave the hounds some trouble. Maybe because the snow was getting old. By this, I mean the snow had been on the ground for several days, tracked up by both man and beast. A fresh snow may have made the scenting conditions considerably better. But, of course, a guy can't have everything. The fact is we do not generally have snow on the ground this time of year.

Jim Hanson will have his four rabbits for his church wild game dinner and Jim Taylor took the two he wanted for his game dinner. I had several good rabbit dinners and I still have a couple to get into the freezer or the pot. Now we are looking forward to the Pennsylvania Varying Hare Season.

Yesterday, Saturday November 29, proved to be a good day afield. Joe and I enjoyed a great breakfast at the Corner Restaurant in Sligo before venturing into the rabbit fields. At the Corner Restaurant, you get eggs, your choice of meat, (ham, bacon, or sausage), potatoes, toast and coffee for only $3.75. There is not too many places on this earth that offer a deal like it.

The scenting conditions were not perfect as the hounds were cold trailing long before they got the first rabbit up and running. Sometimes they work very hard and make a lot of noise before they actually find the rabbit. Find it they did and bring it around they did! But, alas, I missed it twice, sitting. Don't know how, but missed it. I sometimes think the ammo company forgets to put shot in the shells. I had a bad primer last year and my faith in the ammo is not good. The hounds ran it for a while but then came up empty.

Moving on, the hounds worked another rabbit up and the chase was on. The hard working hounds, Patch, Gracie, Speckles and Blacky, were having trouble but they were keeping it moving. The rabbit was way out in front of the hounds when I saw it. Unfortunately, the rabbit saw me move and was gone. Lucky for me, the hounds soon found another rabbit and the chase was on again. As the cottontail came my way, I never dreamed he would run into the open woods as there was cover all the way around me. But old Briar Rabbit made a fatal mistake as I took him with a running shot from the infamous Thompson Contender .410. Funny, I can't hit them sitting but can hit them running. Again, a fresh snow cover no doubt would have made the scenting conditions more favorable.

Going back to Thanksgiving Day, Joe and I had enjoyed a pretty good hunt with several rabbits up and one killed. We were hunting near Callensburg, PA.. Near a place I like to call the "Dear Defense Area". No, Deer Defense, I mean. The deer hunters have built these high tower tree stands, so, it looks like they are defending the area, from deer I presume. I had been almost run over by a nice eight point buck which not one of the hounds wanted to chase, amazingly. As we were leashing up the hounds to leave the woods we heard a truck enter close by. It was only seconds after which we heard a man screaming in pain. Joe rushed to the screams as I finished taking care of my hounds then hurried over to find a young man sitting on the ground. It did not take me long to figure out the guy had fallen from the tree stand that he was intending to use on the opening day of buck season. As he tried to stand my concern was that he had broken something and would then go into shock. He claimed he was okay but accepted Joe's offer to drive him to his grandmother's home. I loaded my hounds and picked Joe up at the residence. We hope he was okay. The poor guy was lucky that Joe and I were near by. He could have laid there for sometime. We now know his name to be James (Jamie) Aughton from the Callensburg-West Freedom area. I may stop and check with his grandmother sometime to check on his condition.

There is a lesson to be learned here somewhere.

Over all, of the available days, I hunted twenty-five days and seventeen rabbits were killed in front of my hounds. Not a record season by any standard but an enjoyable one none the less. I am not going to get my perfect attendance certificate this year. Joe and I reminisced many times about the many really great cottontail hunting seasons we have had over the years.

The cottontail will shine again!

ATTENTION: MAINE WINTER HARE HUNT
MARCH 16 THRU MARCH 22, 2009.

GREETINGS FROM THE HIGH PLATEAU

TALLY HO!!

TO: ALL BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

FROM: THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH HARE MAN

GREETINGS: Yesterday, Saturday November 22, 2008, "Old" Jim Hanson and I ventured onto the High Plateau of The Allegheny in search of the elusive Snowshoe Hare of the North.

The weather was not on our side. Heavy snow squalls and heavy accumulation of the white, fluffy stuff must have kept most game animals holed up.

The snow depth on the High Plateau is unofficially knee deep. A little deep for the beagles.

The picture above was taken while traversing a logging road in the Allegheny National Forest. The light snow did not impare travel with four wheel drive.

This is the earlyest on set of winter I can remember. At least for a long time. It may be a long winter.

Fraternally In Beagling and Snowshoe Hare Hunting,

Joe

TALLY HO!!

Jim Taylor with (L-R) Blacky, Gracie, Speckles and Patch.

Me with "A Team" and soon to be pheasant dinner.

TALLY HO!!

TO: ALL BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

FROM: THE CEO OF THE BWHHs of THE ALLEGHENY


GREETINGS,

Yesterday, November 18, 2008, Jim Taylor, Leo Crawford (a friend of Jim's) and myself hunted for Eastern Cottontail at State Game Lands 244 in Jefferson county Pennsylvania. What a GREAT day we had! The hounds; Patch, Blacky, Gracie, Speckles and Wiggles did a great job. Not only did they not embarrass their owner and handler but made him proud. Sometimes all the dog training and hard work pays off.

Leo made two nice shots killing both rabbits. I killed one and Jim killed one. There were some missed shots on flying pheasants too.

I think I failed to tell you about the pheasant I shot last week, on the fly, with my contender. Not only was it a great shot but the bird was great eating. I plucked it instead of skinning and it was cooked on a beer can filled with Sam Adam's October Fest. A meal fit for a king or better yet a meal fit for a red neck like me. We have been eating some mighty good rabbit meals too. "Rabbit Supreme" for one was really tasty. I couldn't stop eating. I have also enjoyed some great rabbit pot pie.

Joe Jr. will be home for Thanksgiving next Wednesday. We will be getting out for cottontail Thursday, Friday and Saturday I hope. Anyone wanting to go along can give me a call. We would love to have your company.

All for now.

Fraternally In Beagling and Hare Hunting,
Joe

TALLY HO!! AND GREETINGS

LAKE SUPERIOR IN WISCONSIN
OLD FAITHFUL, YELLOW STONE NATIONAL PARK, WYMOMING

PRAIRIE DOG, NORTH DAKOTA "DO NOT FEED THE PRAIRIE DOGS"

LADY ELK IN THE STEAM OF YELLOW STONE

CROSSING THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE WITH SEVERAL INCHES OF SNOW

THE GRAND TETONS, WYOMING

ELK NEAR JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING

BULL ELK BY THE WATER, YELLOW STONE NATIONAL PARK

MULE DEER AT THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK, NORTH DAKOTA

BUCKS AT DEFENSE LANGUAGE SCHOOL, MONTEREY, CALIF.

COYOTE AT YELLOW STONE, WYOMING

TALLY HO!!

TO: ALL BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

FROM: THE CHIEF HARE HUNTER OF THE ALLEGHENY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY, AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

GREETINGS TO: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY, GREAT WHITE HARE HUNTERS, BEAGLERS, HARE WATCHERS OF THE GREAT NORTH AND ALL OTHERS.

It has been a long, hot, busy summer and fall. I have enjoyed many miles of travel across the country.

In September, Brenda and I flew to Austin, Texas for a beautiful and wonderful wedding ceremony for my nephew Cliff Ewing and his new bride and a great visit with my brother’s beloved and wonderful family. While in Austin it was also my big brother’s and his wife, Kay’s fiftieth wedding anniversary. What a great time we had, in a beautiful location, celebrating such a great mile stone. With my entire brother’s six children and their families made it a weekend to be remembered for a very long time.

The very next weekend after returning from Texas, a road trip to Cheektowaga, NY for another beautiful and memorable wedding ceremony and reception with the family of BWHH Board Member Bill Moreland. We also had the pleasure of spending time with Board Member Ray Wolford and wife Cheryl.

Shortly their after another road trip to Washington, D.C. to meet up with BWHH Board Member Joe, Jr. and tour the District. Son Joe was in our nation’s capital on business and mom and dad were fortunate enough to spend some long sought after time with him.

In early October I flew to California where I had the honor of witnessing Joe, Jr.’s graduation from the Defense Language Institute (DLI) at the Presidio at Monterey and his receiving of his Master’s Degree from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) at Monterey.
I also enjoyed sometime with Big Woods Hare Hunter Laura Hennessey while in California.
On October 10th Joe and I trucked out of Monterey, California on our nine day tour across the United States of America.

Starting out from California, we visited Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and finally Pennsylvania. Just of few of the sights are included on this blog in picture form for your viewing enjoyment.

Some of the cities we enjoyed visiting were, Lake Tahoe, Reno, Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole, Billings, Duluth, Sault Ste. Marie and East Lansing along with many small towns along the way.

Cottontail rabbit season is long underway here in Pennsylvania and I have been busy hunting everyday. The weather has gone from very wet on opening day to snow to very hot and dry. The weather is now turning more seasonal with today being cold and windy.
The hounds are ready and getting in better shape every day.

Veteran BWHH Board Member “Old” Jim Hanson as been laid up after surgery and slowly recuperating at home. We (the hounds and I) have missed his company in the rabbit woods. (Post Script: “Old” Jim and I were out rabbit hunting today, November 11 and although we didn’t kill anything, we did get some exercise.)

Old Big Woods Hare Hunter Jim Taylor and I had a good day in the field early on and retired Beagler Merle Wetzel has plans on a day out sometime soon.

The Snowshoe Hare season will soon be upon us and it is time to make plans for the much anticipated season. The dates this year are from Friday, December 26th, 2008 through Thursday, January 1st, 2009.

The Annual Maine Hunt will be March 16 through the 22nd, 2009. We will leave on Saturday, March 14th and return home on March 22nd, 2009.

Fraternally In Beagling and Hare Hunting,

Joe

LITTLE TOBY CREEK KENNEL

NEW ADDITION AT LITTLE TOBY CREEK KENNEL

TALLY HO!!

GREETINGS TO ALL!

There just happens to be a new addition at Little Toby Creek Kennel. Her name is Lil' Sheeba. Lil' Sheeba is out of Little Toby Creek/Sweet Music Banjo and Bucks Mini. She is a beautiful little hound with a sweet disposition.

TALLY HO!!
TO: ALL BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY!

Here is the essay I told you about. I wish I would have written it because almost every word applies to me, my beagles and a generous portion of my life. It is nice to know there are other people in a similar condition. I am going to leave it up here for awhile, but not forever. I am highlighting in blue the portions I truly enjoyed.



In Defense of Dog Breeders How Animal Rights Has Twisted Our Language
by JOHN YATES

American Sporting Dog Alliancehttp://www.american sportingdogallia nce.org

"You're a dog breeder!!!!! !!!!!!!" In today's world, that is a very loaded statement. It's more like an accusation. "I told the television news reporter that I breed dogs," a friend from Dallas told me recently. "He looked at me like he thought I was a harlot."Dog owners have allowed the animal rights movement to redefine our language in order to paint everything we do in the worst possible light. If we say that we breed dogs, the looks we get ask us if we own a "puppy mill" or if we are a "backyard breeder."If we reply that we are a "hobby breeder," someone immediately asks how we can consider living creatures a hobby. Some of us try the word "fancier." We fool no one.The most pathetic response to the question is when we call ourselves "responsible breeders." Responsible to whom? Who defines "responsible" and "irresponsible? " Some bureaucrat? A politician? Animal rights cretins who say there is no such thing as a responsible breeder? Animal rights fanatics would rather kill all animals than see someone love them. In fact, that's their plan. If we say we are not breeders, it makes us "pet hoarders." We are tarred as mentally ill people in need of psychotherapy.The entire language about dog ownership has been hijacked by the rhetoric of the animal rights movement.The worst part is that we have allowed it to happen. We are too fearful and wimpy to stand up for ourselves. We keep searching for inoffensive euphemisms to describe what we do, so that we don't open ourselves up to attack.By doing that, however, we have engineered our own demise.The animal rights movement will not go away. Its agenda is to destroy our right to own or raise animals. Animal rights groups have declared war on all animal ownership, and they won't stop until they either win or we finally have the courage to stand up and defeat them.They have not taken that kind of power over us. We have given it away. We have surrendered our beliefs to the enemy.We apologize for what we do. We make weak excuses for things like animal shelter euthanasia, accidental matings, dog fighting and dangerous dogs. We take at least part of the responsibility for these problems onto our own shoulders, when in truth we have no responsibility at all for creating them.None whatsoever!I am sick and tired of watching dog owners constantly apologize and grovel, and allowing themselves to be put on the defensive.Enough! It's time to stop sniveling about who we are and what we do.

Let me state clearly and for the record: I am a dog breeder. I breed dogs. I raise puppies. I like it. I'm very proud of it.If you don't like it, you are free to take a flying leap. I don't care what you think of me or what I do.I raise two or three litters of English setter puppies a year. I wish I could raise more puppies, but can't figure out how to do it without driving myself into bankruptcy.My dogs work for a living, just like I do. They have to be good at their jobs, just like I do. If they aren't good at their jobs, I don't keep them and I certainly don't breed them.They are hunting dogs, and they have to be able to perform to a very demanding standard of excellence to be worthy of breeding. They have to meet the exacting standard of championship- quality performance in the toughest competition.They are professional athletes.Most of them don't make the cut. Those dogs make wonderful hunting companions or family members.I have never had a dog spayed or neutered, except for medical reasons, and I don't intend to start now. If a dog is good enough for me to keep, it is good enough to breed.Nor have I ever sold a puppy on a spay/neuter contract. With performance dogs, it takes two or three years to know what you have. There is no way that anyone can know the full potential or worthiness of a young puppy. I hope every puppy that I sell will become a great one that is worthy of being bred.I do not feel bad (and certainly do not feel guilty) if someone decides to breed a dog from my kennel that I did not choose to keep for myself when it was a puppy. It still will be a very nice dog, and I have worked very hard on my breeding program for 35 years to assure that very high quality genetics will be passed along and concentrated in any dog that I sell. On occasion, I have a puppy that has a serious flaw. I don't sell those puppies, even though they would make many people very happy. I give them away free to good homes, and the definition of a good home is mine because it's my puppy. I own it. You don't.My responsibility is to the puppy. It is not to you, and it's not to some gelatinous glob called "society." I consider myself to be personally responsible for every puppy I raise, from birth until the day it dies. It always has a home in my kennel, if its new owner can't keep it or no longer wants it.That's a contract written in blood between the puppy and me. It's a contract written with a handshake with the puppy's new owner.

I laugh cynically when someone from the Humane Society of the United States or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ask if I am a responsible breeder. HSUS and PETA are two of the most vicious, bloodthirsty and dishonest snake pits on Earth. Their moral credibility is a negative number. PETA butchers more than 90-percent of the animals it "rescues" every year, and HSUS supports programs and policies that result in the needless deaths of hundreds of thousands of animals every year.By now, I assume that I have pushed all of the buttons of the animal rights crazies. I can hear them snort and see their pincurls flapping in indignation. It makes my day.Can't you hear them, too? They are calling me an exploiter of animals. They are saying that I ruthlessly cull and manipulate the genetics of my dogs. They saying that I make the exploited poor beasts work for a living and live up to impossible standards. They will say that I do this to feed and gratify my own fat ego.

They will say that I sell them for money and exploit them for personal gain.

Then, of course, they will say that I use them to viciously hunt innocent wild animals.Terrible, terrible me! My mother should have a son like this! She was such a nice woman.Well, I plead guilty to all of the charges. Know what else? I don't feel guilty, not even a little bit. I do it. I like it. I feel good about it.

Now I will speak in my own defense – as a dog breeder.I happen to love dogs. I love being around them. I love working with them. I love watching a puppy grow up and discover its potential. I love having the privilege of experiencing a truly great dog in its prime. I love sharing supper with my dogs, wrestling with puppies, and sacking out with them on the couch. I lose sleep when they get sick, and work myself unmercifully to care for them. I spend almost all of the money I have on them, and some money that I don't have. My heart breaks when they grow old and die. I have a dozen lifetimes worth of beautiful memories.What do the animal rights freaks have? They have their ideology. They look in the mirror and feel smug and self-righteous, as if God has personally anointed them to protect animals from the likes of me.What they have is nothing at all. Utter sterility. A world devoid of life and love.They can keep it.My life is filled with love and joy and beauty, and I owe most of it to my dogs. They have helped to keep me sane when sanity was not a given. They have given me courage on the days when all I wanted to do was lie down and quit. They have given me strength to endure on the days when all I wanted to do is run away and hide.I owe them my life.

The animal rights folks are right. I ruthlessly cull and manipulate genetics. To make the cut, my breeding dogs have had to live up to the most exacting possible standards and pass the most strenuous tests.I am very proud of doing that.The result is that the vast majority of people who buy a puppy from me love it. When I sell a puppy, chances are that it has found a home for the rest of its life. The puppy will have a great chance of leading a wonderful life. I produce puppies that make people happy to own them and want to keep them. That's my job as a breeder.I have done this through rigorous selection. My puppies today are the result of 35 years of my stubborn insistence about never breeding a dog that does not have a wonderful disposition, perfect conformation, great intelligence, exceptional natural ability, breathtaking style and that mysterious ingredient called genius.Every puppy born in my kennel has six or eight or 10 generations of my own dogs in its pedigree. All of those ancestors possess a high level of each of those desirable traits. I have raised, trained and grown old with every dog listed in several generations of each puppy's pedigree.Simply put, my puppies today are a lot nicer than my puppies of 35 years ago. Today, there is a much higher percentage of good ones, a much lower percentage of deficient ones, a much higher average of good qualities, and a much higher percentage of true greatness emerging from my kennel today.

That's what it means to be a breeder.Does that feed my ego? Yep. I like having my ego stroked. Don't you? If you don't, you are in very deep trouble as a human being.But I'll tell you what else it does. It makes for happier dogs. It makes for dogs that lead better lives, find permanent families and homes, and get to experience love in many forms.It also makes for healthier dogs. Generation after generation of perfect functional conformation means that the dogs are less likely to get injured, wear out or develop arthritis. Many generations of selection for vigor, toughness and good health means that they are able to laugh at the extremes of climate, weather and terrain.I also have virtually eliminated genetic health problems from my strain of dogs. For example, hip dysplasia is the most common genetic problem in English setters, afflicting a reported four-percent of the breed. In the past 20 years, I have had only two questionable hip x-rays, which both would be rated "fair" by the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA). The last one was 10 years ago.Yes, I am very proud of being a breeder. I did that.I am proud, too, that I am producing dogs that are so intelligent that it's scary, so loyal that they can be your complete partner in the field while also possessing the extreme independence needed to do their job well, so loving that you want them with you every second of the day, so bold and brazen that nothing bothers them, and just plain drop-dead gorgeous to boot.They make me smile a lot. I think I make them smile, too.

But, the animal rights whackos say I am doing it for the money. They accuse me of exploiting animals for profit.Yep. Every chance I get. I am very happy when I am able to sell a puppy for cold, hard cash. It makes me feel good.It makes me feel good because it shows me that someone appreciates the work I am doing. It makes me feel good because I have earned it, and earned it honestly.My only regret is that I have not made more money as a breeder. With all of the sacrifices I have made and the hard work I have done, I should be rolling in money.Alas, I am not.It has been years since I actually have made money on a litter of puppies. Usually, I lose my shirt.For every puppy I sell, there is another one that I keep to evaluate, and a couple of other ones that I am keeping for two or three years to evaluate for their worthiness to breed.

Then there are dogs that are in competition, and that costs bushels of money, not to mention old dogs that are retired and have a home here until they die of old age. Almost a third of the dogs in my kennel are elderly and retired, and it takes a lot of money to care for them.It takes money for dog food, supplies, veterinary bills, kennel licenses, repairs, vehicle use for training and field trials, advertising, Internet, phone bills, and four pairs of good boots a year. It takes money. Lots of money. Bundles of money.Oh, Lord, please help me to sell some more puppies!Besides, what's wrong with making money? It is a rather fundamental American value. Making money is something to be proud of, as long as it's done honestly.Even animal rights bozos have to eat. Someone has to make money to stuff veggies down their gullets, and organic veggies are rather pricey. Most working folks can't afford them.I also can't help but notice that most animal rights activists over the age of 30 drive pretty fancy cars (we are talking about the Beamer set, folks), live in rather fancy houses and dress very well indeed. I can't help but notice that many of the leaders of animal rights groups have pretty cushy gigs, with high-end six-digit salaries, fancy offices, and all the perks.I guess they are saying that it's ok for them to make money by the truckload, even if making money turns dog breeders into immoral greed bags. There is no one in America who exploits dogs for as much money as the paid leaders of animal rights groups. Their fat salaries depend on having animal issues to exploit. If there were no animals for them to exploit, they would have to get a real job.It's a rather perplexing dual standard, don't you think?Well, maybe it's not perplexing after all. The only thing perplexing about hypocrisy is that so many people can't see through it.

My next sin is making my dogs work for a living. The animal rights people try to paint a picture of whipping dogs beyond endurance, exploiting them, creating misery and causing unhappiness. The poor, downtrodden, huddled masses. You know the tune.Only problem is, my dogs don't agree. They love to work. They love their jobs. The only time they are sad is when it is not their turn to work. For my dogs, working is sheer joy and passion! They love every second of it.What animal rights groups live for is creating imaginary victims. Helping victims makes some people feel better about themselves and, of course, it helps them to part with their money so that animal rights leaders can live high on the hog. Oops. I mean high on the carrot. How callous of me. I guess I'm just not a sensitive kind of guy.Back to the exploited masses of bird dogs. Try an experiment sometime. Read an animal rights essay, and substitute the word "proletariat" for the word "animal." You will find that animal rights philosophy actually is pure and straightforward Marxian doctrine.I guess my dogs are not natural Marxists. They love their jobs. They are excited about their jobs. Their jobs make them very happy.Animal rights people can't seem to grasp that people can feel that way about their work, too. It's how I feel about the very hard work of being a dog breeder. It makes me happy.Another way of putting it is that both my dogs and my own example provide proof that life is not pointless drudgery and exploitation. We provide living proof that joy, beauty and personal fulfillment are possible in life.I just don't think of those qualities when I think of the animal rights fanatics I have known. They seem a rather sad and sorry lot to me. I'll take my dogs' company any day.Oh, but the icing on the cake is that I use these poor exploited creatures to hunt innocent birds. How terrible!

Hunting, of course, is a subject of its own, and I won't attempt to cover it here.Suffice it to say that opposition to hunting flies in the face of a few million years of human evolution, the entire balance of nature everywhere on Earth, and common sense.I know one thing for certain. The fact that we have healthy populations of most species of wild birds and animals today is only because hunters have cared enough to support strong conservation measures. We have preserved millions of acres of habitat that is vital to the survival of many species, saved more millions of acres of wilderness from development, supported the protection of endangered species everywhere, and put our money where are mouths are.Animal rights groupies do nothing but blow hot air, when they aren't too busy destroying the land and the animals that live on it to create vast wastelands of industrialized monoculture.I am proud to be a hunter, too.It's time for every dog owner and breeder to stand up proudly and be counted.Each one of you has done far more to enhance the quality of life of both people and dogs than all of the animal rights activists put together.So stand up and shout it to the rooftops! Stop crawling around on your bellies and apologizing. Your dogs deserve better from you. You will just have to get a little tougher if you want to live up to your dogs.What you are doing is right.It's just that simple.

The American Sporting Dog Alliance represents owners, breeders and professionals who work with breeds of dogs that are used for hunting. We are a grassroots movement working to protect the rights of dog owners, and to assure that the traditional relationships between dogs and humans maintains its rightful place in American society and life.

The American Sporting Dog Alliance also needs your help so that we can continue to work to protect the rights of dog owners. Your membership, participation and support are truly essential to the success of our mission. We are funded solely by the donations of our members, and maintain strict independence.Please visit us on the web at http://www.american sportingdogallia nce.org. Our email is ASDA@csonline. net. Complete directions to join by mail or online are found at the bottom left of each page.

PLEASE CROSS-POST AND FORWARD THIS REPORT TO YOUR FRIENDS__._,_.___
(you can email this post by clicking on the little envelope below)

WALLEYE FISHING-MARBLE HEAD, OHIO-JUNE '08

Full speed ahead to fishing grounds off Marblehead, Ohio

Hutch and Captain Bob with beautifully colored walleye.

Me and 29.5 inch, 9.8 lb. walleye.

"HOW DOGS SMELL (...Pretty Good, Actually)"

GREETINGS FROM THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

HOW DOGS SMELL (OR WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW) by Joe Ewing,

Executive High Hare Man of The Big Woods Hare Hunters of The Allegheny, Beagler and Hare Hunter.

Every once in a while one comes across an interesting article in one of our “major” publication. The American Hunter magazine article is titled “How Dogs Smell…(Pretty Good Actually)” and caught my eye immediately. The author, a field Editor, by the name of Ron Spomer has apparently done his homework and research. Although the article is geared more to bird dogs I can understand how the article relates to me and my lowly beagles. I could not put it down.
If you can find the magazine, The American Hunter, July 2008 edition I suggest you give it a look. It is only two pages, contains some very interesting information and confirms what beaglers have known forever and have argued over since the beginning of time.
“Have you ever wondered why no one hunts with a pug…”
[is how the article starts out. But then, Ron Spomer, the writer, gets right to the point.]
“A canine detects scents via microscopic receptor cells (ethmoidal cells) in its nose.”
“…, the human nose might house 5 million receptors. Your Labrador might have 250 million, a bloodhound 300 million!”
[I wonder how many “receptors” the typical beagle posses. A lot I bet. I would guess, not as many as a bloodhound but possibly more than a Labrador. The Labrador‘s nose is bigger than a beagles and longer.]
“The human receptor area is about the size of a postage stamp, the dog’s is the size of a Kleenex tissue, so a dog should be able to smell 100,000 times better than you.”
[Of course they do! At least that many times better.]
“This is why we carry the guns and our dogs sniff the ground.”
[Cute.]
“The Mental Aspect”
“But ‘picking up’ odors is only part of it. A dog’s brain is built to thoroughly and efficiently interpret those scent signals; its olfactory area is about 40 times larger than ours. Dogs detect the odor layers, the individual scents layered one atop the other. Just as we remember visual things, dogs remember odoriferous things; thus sniffing that occurs when dogs greet one another.
In order to work at full capacity, olfactory receptors must remain damp. Those turbinate bones in the nose are covered in olfactory mucosa, a thick, spongy membrane covered in mucus, according to scientists at Purina. The moisture helps capture scent molecules, which are then processed by millions of hair-like cilia, which hold the ethmoidal cells. This is why sick dogs with dry noses don‘t detect odors very well. It‘s also why healthy dogs lick their noses. Keeping all those surface nooks and crannies moist helps pick up and hold scent molecules. Even the cracks under the outside corners of dog nostrils contribute to scenting by flaring to stir up molecules. Snorting or inhaling deeply and purposefully brings them into contact with nasal receptors. Floppy hound ears stir up ground scent. Wrinkled skin captures rising odor molecules.”
“Ground vs. Air Scent”
“Ground scent is important because it sticks to surfaces and ‘hangs around‘ sometimes for days. But air scent, molecules floating or drifting in the air, is what enables bird dogs to catch wind of their prey with noses in the air…”
[This is probably why our hounds, sometimes, run off the line several feet to the right or left.]
“We do the same thing when we detect campfire smoke or cooking bratwurst on the breeze.”
“While most of us imagine that water washes away all scent, it don't. Oil floats in water…”
[This must be why hunting in the rain with beagles seems to go so much better.]
“…but damp ground helps hold them {scent}. Dry , dusty ground makes for poor scenting conditions. Giving a dog frequent , small drinks in hot ,dry conditions can improve scenting.
[A beagling companion once said to me that a self respecting hound can find his own water in all but drought conditions. In any case, if you watch the hounds closely, they will find water and drink often. Something the author never mentioned was snow and scenting on snow which is a whole new ball game. Maybe bird hunters don’t hunt in the snow, cold and extreme conditions?]
“Can a Nose be Turned Off?”
“If you have ever wondered why a fresh dog often overruns birds, blame it on excitement. Overly eager dogs forget to switch on their noses or, more accurately, their olfactory brain detectors.”
[We always claim the hound don’t have brains. Now we know they just forget to switch it on. Some hounds don’t have anything to switch on.]
“They’re like kids on Christmas eve. Work on calming your dog rather than firing him up before hunts and training sessions. Stop a spastic dog that is running thither and yon. Most hunt more efficiently after that initial rush. Try to use body language and tone of voice to calm the passionate beast at the start.”
[Over the years, I noticed when the hounds have lost the rabbit and I have seen where the rabbit went it is counterproductive to yell and scream when trying to get the hounds bacl onto the track. Especially young hounds when training. Ideally, the hounds are out there to learn and they learn by doing and thus they need to learn to work it out. My interference teaches them nothing but to go crazy when I yell. Now when hunting with older, well seasoned hounds that don’t go spastic, I may “tally ho” them to the track. Lately, the last 20 or 25 years, I have been using a clam voice to help out the boys and girls, but rarely.]
“Plenty of water and energy snacks can help, but proper conditioning and a high protein diet year ’round are better preventives.”
[I always wondered why I never get around to changing to a “cheaper”, lower protein, lower fat dog food in the summer. Now I know. “Proper” conditioning also means not over doing it which I have been known to do. Most hounds I have known do not like to be over trained.]
“Think of your dog’s scenting ability like any other athletic skill and train accordingly. Remember that at least half the equation is thinking or concentration or whatever it is a dog does to use that massive olfactory chunk of its brain. Sucking in the raw odors is just the start. It’s what your dog does with those molecules that determines your success together.”

There you have it. All there is to know about how dogs smell.

If you have any comments please write them down here. I would love to hear your thoughts and idea.

TALLY HO!!

TALLY HO!!
TO: ALL BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY
FROM: THE HIGH CHAIRMAN AND EXECUTIVE HIGH HARE MAN
SUBJECT: THINGS AROUND THE KENNEL AND AROUND THE WOODS AND FIELDS

GREETINGS TO ALL:

Last Monday morning, at about 3:30AM, I was awakened by sudden loud, angry barking and carrying on from the "dog park". Unable to quiet the ten hounds from the bedroom window, I went out in my skivvies, of course. I did manage to settle them somewhat but Speckles carried on until daylight which didn't come soon enough. At 6:00 AM, after shoveling you know what and hosing down the kennels, I loaded hounds and proceeded down the road toward my favorite training site. I had not ventured very far when Brenda called me on my cell phone. Her excited words, "You'll never guess what is up that tree. Two black bear." I understand my response was, "I got to see this!" I turned the truck around and proceeded back home. Sure enough, up the tree was a cub black bear. Brenda had seen the mother bear crawl down the tree and run down through the yard. At that time I decided to go about my business and maybe the cub would be down when I returned.

Yes, It was a little unnerving and disconcerting to think I had been under that tree in my nightie, worked around the kennel and loaded hounds with those two bear only slightly more than ten feet away.

I returned in two or three hours to find the cub still up the tree. I decided to call the Pennsylvania Game Protector, since it was his bear in my tulip tree. I left a message on Officer Bimber's answering machine and also called the Pennsylvania Game Commission headquarters in Franklin. At headquarters they assured me the bear would come down upon nightfall, but, I needed reassurance.

It wasn't long before Officer Rodney Bimber and his wife, Ronda, showed up and again assured me the cub would come down at nightfall, the mother bear would be of no threat and that I could go about my normal activities. Officer Bimber said he would check on the cub bear later in the evening which he did. All was well until, dark.

At 9:00 PM the hounds were again carrying on, the mother bear was back and up the tulip poplar tree. It sounded at times like she was talking to her cub, trying to convince it to come down. The cub at times seemed to be crying. The mother bear spent the remainder of the night coaxing and apparently making several trips up and down the tree. She must have spent some time laying at the base of the tree also. But every time she moved the hounds would howl and bawl keeping me, Brenda and who knows who else up all night. The mother even got into the neighbor's garbage scattering it about.

Again early, I loaded hounds and went on my dog training mission. Upon my return Officer Bimber and Vaughan Graham were looking over the situation in the tree. Officer Bimber decided the cub needed to be tranquilized. After preparing the tranquilizer, the Officer proceeded up the tree by ladder but the cub was too smart for that and moved higher in the tree. Bimber then decided to use a dart gun to tranquilize the cub. The first shot missed and stuck in the tree. After some target practice the Officer tried again and did stick the cub with the dart. The dart, with tranquilizer, seemed to have little affect. Again the cub moved higher. It was discussed what would happen if the cub fell from the tree and a tarp was secured to possibly break his fall if needed. The cub was now high in the tree, two deputies were on the scene plus numerous onlookers. Many different scenarios were discussed and analyzed.

It was at about this time, 3:00 in the afternoon, some one suggested a bucket truck of some kind would be handy to go higher than the cub and possible chase it down the tree or at least be able to tranquilize it from the bucket. One of the deputies, apparently a volunteer fireman from Clarion, called for the hook and ladder truck. It wasn't long before this very impressive piece of machinery was parked in my yard and deployed. It also wasn't long before Officer Bimber had reached the cub and was ready to tranquilize.

With everyone ready, including onlookers, the cub was stuck with the needle. Immediately the cub climbed down the tree and ran into my kennel barn. I can remember thinking, "this is all I needed was a cub black bear stuck in my barn." But as fast as it ran into the barn it ran out and down through the front yard with people after it. It ran down across the road towards the creek and the woods. I thought finding a tranquilized cub bear in the woods would be like finding the proverbial needle but find it they did, some how.

I was honored by being allowed to witness the tagging and removal of a tooth from the cub which was now known to be a female black bear. The bear now had a name, Sadie and she probably weighed in at less than 50 pounds and was slightly over one year old. With all chores being completed the only thing left was to wait. Sadie was moved to a shady spot with the hopes she would awaken soon.

While we were waiting the mother black bear was spotted watching us from about 50 yards. She must have known her baby was close by. At about 5:30PM Sadie was coming to and tried to walk which she had trouble doing at first. Soon, mother bear found Sadie and the last we saw was mother and cub making their way through the trees.

It was decided then, "All is well that ends well."

This is my story and I'm sticking to it.

Fraternally In Beagling and Hooked on Hare,

Joe

TALLY HO!!

TO: ALL BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

FROM: THE HIGH HAREMAN OF THE HIGH PLATEAU

SUBJECT: THE NEW BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY BLOG

GREETINGS,

This is a new venture for me. Here you will find the daily reports of the BWHHs, pictures and other inportant information. Maybe even a video if I ever get DSL service.

Things will really pick up here as the season progresses, especially the "EXTREME" season.

All for now.

Fraternally In Beagling and Hooked on Hare,

Joe