THE EXTREME SEAS0N CONTINUES

TALLY HO AND GREETINGS FROM THE HIGH PLATEAU!!

Kaz and I ventured onto the High Plateau yesterday and had a great day. Kaz's little hound did a great job. She is getting more accustomed to running with the pack each time out and I think she likes running with the "big hounds of The High Plateau" .

We had a great Hare chase of two and a half hours and the "A" team did a good job.

We did some "networking", scouting, talked with some new unnamed contacts and hopefully got some leads on some new covers.

Today, Thursday, Wayne Wilson and I ran hounds at the Bear Town Beagle Club and had some good cottontail runs, some not so good runs but a good time. Wayne is really getting into the Beagling spirit. He has been bitten by the Hare hunting bug and he will soon be hooked on Hare. Wayne has picked up a young female hare hound named Wendy on options out of the Little Toby Creek Kennel and is on his way to becoming a full fledged Big Woods Hare Hunter.

Tomorrow and Saturday we will be back to the High Plateau.

Fraternally,
Joe

EMAIL FROM A FRIEND

Hi Joe
During your most recent Tug Hill trip you were in my neck of the woods. Boonville is only about 20 miles from Rome. We often hunt up on the TUG hill from Lowville, it's about a 50 minute drive for us, when the travel is good. I know it's always tough to hunt a new place without some inside information. Tug Hill's best hare hunting was back 25 to 30 years ago. During the 70's the evergreens, planted by the old CCC program and some state programs, were small and offered very good cover. Now those evergreens are fairly mature and there is not that good low down cover theh hare like, or what you find in Maine. We hunt mostly what we call natural swamps, a scattering of evergreens and alders, therefore the hare are spread around. I don't expect you would be interested in coming up this year, as the season is winding down. Typically, mid to late Feb is a good time, because we have good snow cover, the days are a little longer and not as cold.
Roy sends

THE HARE ARE SHINING AGAIN

Left: Kaz Kazmarek receives the official insignia of The Big Woods Hare Hunters of The Allegheny from the High Hare Man of The High Plateau after a cold but exciting day of chasing and observing the Omnipotent Snowshoe Hare on The Allegheny High Plateau.

Left: Wayne Wilson, of Strattanville, PA receives the official cap of The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny from the High Hare Man of the High Plateau as a memento of his first time out with The Big Woods Hare Hunters and their hare hounds.

Left: The Hare Hounds of The High Plateau chased and hounded this Magnificent Snowshoe Hare for several hours during an outing to the Allegheny National Forest on Saturday, February 21, 2009. The fact that the picture is not clear represents a near miss with the camera. If the photographer could do as well as the hounds then all of the pictures would be near perfect.

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

After a real good three day start to last week, even after hunting in the extreme conditions of Wednesday, with the snow, ice and rain, Friday turned out to be a real bust. Veteran Hare Hunter Jim Hanson and myself returned to what I was calling "my new favorite Hare Hunting place" only to be disappointed. On Friday we did not have so much as a yip from the hounds. If you will remember this was the location where I took the picture of the Hare on the log. The hounds did manage to find a deer carcass and some training ensued.

Saturday morning Jim and I went to one of our old haunts and it was not long until the the mighty hounds of the High Plateau were on Old Mr. Hare and the chase was on for almost three (3) hours. This Magnificent and Omnipotent Snowshoe Hare is pictured above.

With fresh snow on the High Plateau, Monday (02/23), Andy, Jim and I were joined by now, Big Woods Hare Hunter Kaz Kazmarek and Wayne Wilson in hopefully finding and chasing the Omnipotent Snowshoe Hare on the High Plateau of the Allegheny.

After a more than adequate breakfast and volumes of coffee (and tea) at the Village Dinor in Marienville, PA, the gateway to the Allegheny National Forest the five hunters and six hounds headed to the steep banks of the scenic Tionesta Creek.

With temperatures in the teens and a driving wind the hunters dawned snowshoes and headed into the Big Woods. It was no time at all before Andy's hare hound, Nellie, was off and driving a magnificent Hare through the thick new growth of a former clear cut.

The rest of the pack, Jim's Lucky, my Gracie, Andy's other hound Molly, Kaz's best little 12 1/2 inch hound anywhere, Kelly and Wayne's Frick or was it Frack soon joined in the chase and the fun had begun. Wayne was the first to pay homage to the Omnipotent One which apparently made Wayne's day and mine too. Everyone enjoyed multiple sightings and Jim Hanson swore the hounds had at least three different Hare up during the mornings chase.

The hounds of the High Plateau chased, with no worry to the Hare, for almost three hours. With the fresh snow pack completely tracked up from both hounds and the hounded it became time to find a fresh chase.

After a spot of coffee and some home made cookies we were back into another, thought to be, good cover. Two hours later, with out a chase, we were back at the trucks and ready to move out.

The critique of the day was positive and everyone agreed it had been an outstanding day on the High Plateau and we would soon be ready for more action.

Kaz received the official patch of The Big Woods Hare Hunters of The Allegheny and Wayne received the official cap.

Fraternally In Beagling and Hare Hunting,

Joe

PS: Received a couple emails and here they are.

Hi Joe

Thanks for the info on the PA hare season. I am really surprised PA has only a six day season. Hardly seems worth keeping dogs all year.

If you send me your address, I have a couple of pictures you will find interesting. Sorry, I don't do pictures over the internet.

We had great running this past weekend, actually we hunted Thursday through Sunday. Snow was really deep on Sat and Sun. however the scenting conditions were execellent. Our freshman team, two young males my Billy and Ronnie's male, did fair. The varsity team consisting of my Raider and my partners Nikki were outstanding;We killed a few each day, normally if we shoot two or three we call it quits. Usually we put the dogs down about 9:30, let it warm up and run to 2:30 unless something unforseen occurs. We like to stop at the local watering hole and have a beer and a sandwich on the ride home If my memory serves me, your gang hunted Tug Hill three years ago the same time in Feb that Ronnie and I took our trip to Pine Grove Lodge. Do you recall actually where you hunted, stayed, and the results. Our season is winding down, closes the middle of Mar. We have three weekends reamaining. The toughest thing about planning a trip to Tug Hill is the changing weather conditions.

Stay in touch

Roy sends

To the "High Hare Man of the Allegheny"

Greetings!

Wish we could be with you today. Instead I had to go with my son-in-law and my daughter "the hare hunter" to a fur sale. No deals were made, as the price for coon hides was at $6.80 each. Yes thats right, $6.80! I should have gotten up at 5AM and traveled to the Route 66 Dinor, where a good day with the hounds could have been had.

Till next time - - -

KAZ

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE

February 19, 2009



TALLY HO!!


THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF HOUND MUSIC!!

2009 Varying Hare taken by me on the Allegheny Plateau. Here he was in a hurry to make his get away. Above, he was in no hurry and posed on the log for me.

Three glorious and triumphant days were spent chasing the Omnipotent and Magnificent Snowshoe Hare on the High Plateau this week (so far). The hills came alive with the sound of hound music each and every day.

Monday and Tuesday the weather was nothing but glorious. The type of days to make you feel glad to be alive.

Yesterday, Wednesday, the gods of weather turned on the Extreme Hare Hunters of the North, giving us blinding blizzard conditions, stinging ice and torrential rain. Yes, all is the same afternoon but not all at once. Each scenario took it's turn.

Monday, February 16, we (Jim, Andy and myself) were honored with the fellowship of Jim (Kaz) Kazmarek and hound, Kelly, the best little 12 1/2 inch Hare hound bar none, on the High Plateau. We ran Hare for several hours and made several sightings. The weather was excellent.

Tuesday was also a great day. Not only did we chase the Omnipotent One but we located a new lair in which to run. The Hare pictured above is the one we chased in the morning.

In the PM we moved to a trusted old location and also found and chased another Magnificent Hare for a couple wonderful and aw inspiring hours. This Hare stopped and posed for me also but thinking I would never get two photo opportunities in one day I had not brought my camera along. The Hare stopped and commenced to clean and preen himself. Every once in a while casting an ear for the hounds. It was surprising how close he allowed the hounds to get before he decided to move on.

Yesterday, we immediately found Mr. Snowshoe and the chase was on. Andy's Nellie and Molly, Jim's Lucky and my Patch, Gracie and Blacky tuned up the Allegheny National Forest for several hours.

Almost as immediately the weather set in with snow, ice and rain.

What made it bad was, Blacky decided to be late coming in during the worst of the storm. A few hours later all hounds were accounted for and the day was deemed a glorious success.

Fraternally,

Joe

An email from a fellow Hare Hunter,

From:
"ROYGOLFRE@aol.com" ROYGOLFRE@aol.com

Hi Joe
Hunting is not very good. No fresh snow in 7 days, nights have been cold
and the snow has no moisture. Dogs are unable to handle a hare for any length
of time. The good part is the dogs are able to get around very good, first
time in four weeks they havenot fought snow up to their necks
Joe, I really enjoy your tales of your hunts, you sound like a real
sports writer. I usually share your tales with some of my hunting friends and they
always ask the same question. How many hare have you and your gang kill?? or
do you only run them? What are the dates of your season?
Roy sends

[PS: Roy lives in Rome, NY and hunts the Tug Hill Plateau]

THE "EXTREME SEASON" CONTINUES

TALLY HO!!

GREETINGS FROM THE HIGH PLATEAU.

Yesterday, Wednesday, February 11, 2009 conditions as you see in the picture on the left greeted the hunting party to the Allegheny Plateau.

With temperatures at 46 degrees, dew point at 45 degrees and the relative humidity at 97% it was rather damp to say the least. And then the heavy rains set in but our hearts were not dampened as almost upon entering the big woods the extreme hounds began working a Snowshoe Hare.

Work hard the hounds did and suddenly they bumped the Hare from it's lair and the chase was on. For more than one hour and a half, through heavy rain, the Hare led the hounds.

The warm temperatures and heavy rains were making the snow pack melt quickly.

After the initial hour and a half the hounds lost the hare and could not find the track again.

Several hours later, we either found the first Hare or started another for the chase was on again. After another one and half hour run and some of the older hounds showing some exhaustion the day was done.

The warm temperatures have all but depleted the snow on the High Plateau. All we can hope for is a new supply.

NEXT WEEK IS A BIG WEEK IN THE BIG WOODS. WE WILL BE HUNTING FOR SURE MONDAY, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY RAIN OR SHINE. IF YOU WISH TO JOIN US FOR ANY OR ALL GIVE ME A CALL.

All for today.

Fraternally In Beagling, Hare Hunting and with A Hound in The Hunt,

EXCITING TIMES ON THE HIGH PLATEAU

TALLY HO!! AND GREETINGS FROM THE HIGH PLATEAU OF THE ALLEGHENY!

Above: Kaz sports the official cap.

Above: Kaz receives the Official Cap from The

High Hare Man after an outing onto the High Plateau in the Extreme Season

Monday, February 09, 2009 four brave hare hunters ventured onto the Allegheny Plateau in search of and to pay homage to the Omnipotent Snowshoe Hare.

"Old" Jim, Andy, myself and invited guest, Jim (Kaz) Kazmarek, out of New Bethlehem, PA, along with six (6) extreme hare hounds scoured an area East of Marienville without the red gods smiling upon our fortune. The bad part being, it was the same area where, last week we run a Hare for several hours. It was also the very same sight where we found the dead Hare, killed by a snowmobile, if you remember.

The Extreme Hounds did bawl around some but the Magnificent One was not to be found.

Even without finding a Hare the day was not lost. The weather being nothing but beautiful and with fellowship and friendship it was a great day.

The snowshoes were still a necessary item but the snow pack was melting quickly with temperatures near 50 degrees.

The only problems being encountered were the ice covered roads and slippery conditions of the back roads. We made it in and we made it out and had a good time. What more could you ask for?

ONLY FIVE (5) WEEKS LEFT

TALLY HO!!

ONLY FIVE (5) WEEKS FROM TOMORROW!

IN 35 DAYS FROM TOMORROW WE WILL BE EMBARKING ON OUR ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE TO THE MECCA OF SNOWSHOE HARE HUNTING, PLEASANT RIDGE, IN THE GREAT PARADISE OF MAINE.

ONCE THERE WE WILL BE PAYING HOMAGE TO THE MAGNIFICENT AND OMNIPOTENT VARYING HARE OR OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE SNOWSHOE HARE.

WE ARE TRAINING AND PREPARING OURSELVES AND OUR HOUNDS. TRAINING IS A MUST FOR SUCH A GREAT ADVENTURE AS THIS.

ANYONE INTERESTED IN JOINING THE PILGRIMAGE PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL.

EXTREME HARE SEASON CONTINUES

There is a magnificent Snowshoe Hare is this photograph.

It is located directly in the very center.

Hard to see, huh?

"Old" Jim waits to catch a fleeting glimpse of a

Varying Hare on The High Plateau of the Allegheny February 2, 2009

Note producing oil pumping jack in background.

Allegheny National Forest is called, "The Land of Many Uses."

February 5, 2009

TALLY HO!!

GREETINGS FROM THE WORLD HEADQUARTERS OF THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

An ever deeping snow pack on the High Plateau is making the Omnipotent Snowshoe Hare chasing more than work for both man and hound.

The hounds have been battling tough conditions with regularity. Man has had rough going even with the best snowshoes money can buy. It is suppose to warm up for the weekend. Maybe the snow pack will settle or better yet a crust will be formed.

Last Saturday (January 31, 2009) Andy, myself and several hounds did not have much luck in finding a Hare at one of our favorite spots (formerly favorite now). We hiked a couple miles through deep snow and came up empty. We did find a couple deer and chased them out of their beds. The fact that we did not find a Hare does not mean there are none there. But, we saw no sign of any kind.

Later in the day we tried a new site that looked like it had potential. We did manage to find and run an Appalachian cottontail directly to a hole. Apparently the Appalachian does not like deep snow either.

On Monday (February 1, 2009) Andy, myself and Nellie, Molly, Kipper, Patch and Gracie had great success. We went to an old haunt and found the Omnipotent One. The Grand Old Hare ran for over four hours leading the hounds through some mighty deep snow.

Andy and I had reason to believe there may have been more than one Hare. We seemed to have several side chases during the day.

On Tuesday, February 2, 2009, while Punxsutawney Phil was seeing his shadow, "Old" Jim and I were back on the High Plateau hunting at the 1900 foot line of altitude. We saw plenty of sign, the hounds cold trailed some and we thought we would get a chase going but we had no runs. The hounds found another Appalachain which would not run.

We will be seeking better luck from the red gods of hunting next time.

Fraternally in Beagling and Hare Hunting and

With a Hound in The Hunt,

Joe

EMAIL FROM TUG HILL HARE HUNTER ROY BARNES

HI Folks
It was really nice to see Bob [Howe] and Steve [Howe] at the show [Syracuse], expect they returned safe to Pine Grove [Lodge]. The new snow shoes are working fine as we had another dump this past week. Total snow fall on Tug Hill at North Osceola and Montague is 253 inches, we are on pace for some record. The running has been real tough on the dogs, they still love it, the walking has been brutal.. Only the diehards are there chasing hare. Bob, what did you tell me to put on those shoes, varnish, shellac or poly euthere
Stay in touch
Roy sends
Hey Roy,
I use McCloskey's MAN O'WAR Marine Spar Varnish with "Maximum UV Protection" on my snowshoes. It seems to work pretty well. If you find something better please let me know.
Joe