MORE FROM THE MAINE WINTER HARE HUNT

TALLY HO!!

GREETINGS TO THE LOYAL ORDER OF THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY.

Four hunters from the High Plateau of the Alleghenies travelled the 1600 miles to and from Maine safely and enjoyed a great week, six days of great hunting, in the Western Mountains of the great state of Maine.

Jim Hanson, Andy Hoover, new comer Wayne Wilson, Joe Ewing and ten great hounds enjoyed what some are calling, "The best week ever." The hounds did a great job considering the conditions. Only one day did they have a high degree of difficulty. That day was not much different than most of the mornings but this is why beagling is so much of a mystery sometimes.

Master Maine Guide Bob Howe and Maine Guide Steve Howe guided us to some outstanding covers, cooked some great lunches and helped us enjoy a fabulous winter hunting trip.

The weather held good everyday and we only noticed a few sprinkles on one day. The mornings were cold and crisp with general warming around mid morning. Most mornings the snow pack had a hard crust and snowshoeing was good. Most days by noon or earlier the snow pack became soft and would not hold the big guys. Sometimes snowshoeing was difficult while sinking in almost a foot or more. Most wore the widest shoes they had. Wayne tried several different models and came up with a 13 inch pair he brought home. The Howe's are now tying their "Maine Guide Snowshoes" with a nylon rope. The rope seems to be working well. The reason for the change is the neoprene is expensive . Traditional raw hide can still be ordered at the Pine Grove Lodge.

On Monday, March 16 we spent nine hours afield, had several good runs and Newcomer Wayne Wilson shot his first Snowshoe Hare ever. We snow machined to "Hutch's Mountain". The morning was cool and the ride up the mountain on the snowmobiles was cold. The day warmed by lunch time and everyone was in their shirt sleeves. There were a couple of missed shots this day but everyone enjoyed a good time. The hounds, Blacky, Patch, Gracie, Freck, Lucky and Nellie did outstanding without incident.

Tuesday was another good day on "Basin Mountain". The mountain was steep with thick new growth. Much too thick for the wide snowshoes necessary to make it through the soften snow pack. The only incident, Wiggles, Speckles and Freck decided to head for home on their own. Bob and I had to chase after them using the snow machines. We caught up with them about a mile down the snowmobile trail.

In the afternoon we hunted a cedar swamp nearby and Jim missed a couple after a great chase by the hounds.

Wednesday, March 18 we again spent nine hours afield just off Route 16 across the river from the Pine Grove Lodge. Again we had some great runs, some good exercise and a great day. The only small incident, Lucky did not want to quit.

On Thursday we again enjoyed beautiful weather and some great runs by the hounds, Wiggles, Blacky, Speckles. Molly and Freck. We had two kills and a couple misses not far from the Lodge.

On Friday, March 2o Spring arrived. This was the day the scenting was bad although I saw more hare this day than another day. We hunted on the Cyr Road, not far from the Appalachian Trail, where we generally have tremendous luck and good times. We have hunted here many times with much success in March and October but today would not be one of those days. The "A Team" tried and we knew they can run hare.

On the final day, Saturday March 21, was the final day of our great Maine Hare Hunt for 2009. We all were glad we stayed the extra day. Lucky found the goat horns and sported them around. The hounds, all of them except for Speckles who stayed back because of estrus, did outstanding. There was one miss and no kills on this day.

All told we spend 49 hours hunting the Magnificent and Omnipotent Snowshoe Hare. All had a great time.

The Pine Grove Lodge was, as usual, outstanding both with great food and great accommodations.

Plans are to return next year during the same week in March 2010.

A great smile from BWHH Andy Hoover in The Great North Woods. The day started with a very cold snow machine ride but by mid day the coats were off and it was very warm.

BWHH Andy Hoover enjoys a relaxing lunch hour in the snow of the Great North Woods.

BWHH Wayne Wilson enjoyed a great hunt in the Western Mountains of Maine.

Moving along the snowmobile trail to our next hunting area.

The snow was mighty deep. Along side the snowmobile trail. One false step would put you in up to your knees.

BWHH and Chairman enjoys the "sweet smell of freedom" from the Western Mountains of Maine and the Great North Woods on a more beautiful day there never could be.

The snow machine ride on the high mountain trails of Maine.

BWHH Andy Hoover prepares for the snow machine ride into the Great North Woods.

BWHH Andy Hoover in the Western Mountains of Maine.

Master Maine Guide waits on a logging road while leading the BWHHs in the wilds of Maine.

Lucky found these goat horns and was very proud.

Photo by Andrea Howe and can be seen at http://www.pinegrovelodge.com/

Extreme BWHH Andy Hoover enjoying the view of the beautiful mountains of Western Maine.

The 2009 Maine Winter Foursome.

Veteran Extreme Big Woods Hare Hunter of The Allegheny and Maine Hare Hunter, Joe (JR) Ewing has been on many trips but this was one of the best.

Rookie Maine Hare Hunter Wayne Wilson had a glorious week.

Veteran Extreme BWHH Jim Hanson spent six glorious days in the woods of Western Maine.

March 2009-Extreme BWHH Andy Hoover after a great six days in Maine

Andy Hoover with Maine Hare compliments of the great hare hound Molly.

MAINE WINTER HARE HUNT 2009

TALLY HO!!













GREETINGS TO THE LOYAL ORDER OF THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY.
Above we pitched our flag and made ourselves at home.Photo by Bob Howe.
Steve and Heath Howe prepare the snow machines for the climb onto the mountain.
















Above, loading the hunters and hounds for the five mile cold snow machine ride.




New Hare Hunter Wayne Wilson bagged his first hare ever and the first of the hunt.
















Another look at Wayne's first ever magnificent snowshoe hare. Look at the back drop. We were only part way up the mountain.

Above, Andy, Nellie and Molly emerging from the dense underbrush with a trophy hare.

A closer look at a Maine Snowshoe Hare.

Wiggles, Speckles and Blacky did a fine job.

The woods was full of snow.

This ski pole is four feet long. Only the handle is showing.

Rookie Hare Hunter Wayne Wilson enjoyed his trip to the Great North Woods.

MAINE WINTER ADVENTURE 2009

TALLY HO!!


GREETINGS TO ALL BWHHs of THE ALLEGHENY


The Big Woods Hare Hunters of The Allegheny's adventure (and hunt) to the Great North Woods of Maine will commence on Saturday, March 14, with our pilgrimage to the mecca of Snowshoe Hare hunting.

We will arrive at Pleasant Ridge, Maine on Sunday and the adventure starts on Monday, March 16. We will be hitting the mountains of Western Maine for six glorious days.

Joining me will be Veteran Extreme Hare Hunter Jim Hanson, Extreme Hare Hunter Andy Hoover and a rookie to the Great North Woods, Wayne Wilson BWHH.

Upon return the complete story will be posted here.

We will be back on March 23, 2009 after ten (10) glorious days.

All for now.

Fraternally,


Joe

SPECIAL FEATURE-TUG HILL PLATEAU

TALLY HO AND GREETINGS
FROM THE ALLEGHENY PLATEAU!

TODAY WE ARE FEATURING SOME HOUNDS AND HUNTERS FROM THE TUG HILL PLATEAU.




ABOVE: THE TUG HILL FEBRUARY, 29, 2009

BELOW: "OUR BEST DAY" WITH RAIDER, BILLY AND ROY'S NEPHEWS FROM MASS IN FEBRUARY 2008.






LEFT: "LEISURE TIME"





Thanks to Roy Barnes from Rome, New York who hunts the Tug Hill Plateau.

Roy is a real "Extreme Hare Hunter" of the Tug Hill. As you can see from the top photo the snow gets a little deep! The hounds seem to have smiles on their faces.

Roy hunts the Boonville-Lowville area of the Tug Hill. Roy also hunts in Maine with Bob Howe.

Tug Hill Plateau is a remote section of upstate New York located a short drive north of Syracuse, between the east end of Lake Ontario and the Adirondack Mountains.
The Tug Hill Plateau is an upland region in upstate New York, famous for heavy winter snow. The Tug Hill Region is west of the Adirondack Mountains and is separated from the Adirondacks by the Black River Valley. Although the region is and has traditionally been known as the Tug Hill Plateau since it is flat on top, it is actually not a plateau. Technically, the Tug Hill could more accurately be called a cuesta since it is actually composed of sedimentary rocks that tip up on one side, rising from about 350 feet on the west to over 2,000 feet in the east.
The Tug Hill region encompasses 150,000 acres (600 km²) of unbroken, generally second-growth, northern hardwood forest, and is drained by a vast network of streams. New York State, small, privately owned parcels exist, and most permanent residences are located near state highways or maintained county roads.
Few roads or villages exist in the more remote areas, and undeveloped reaches of the plateau are a haven for wildlife, including deer, rabbits, beavers, turkeys, fishers, bobcats, coyote, and the occasional black bear and cougar. Salmon, trout, bass, walleye, and waterfowl can be found in the Tug Hill's abundant waterways.

The Tug Hill region is renowned for its excessive snowfall. Snow depths commonly reach five feet (one and a half meters) or more, on the level, and vastly deeper amounts are routine. The location of the region in relation to Lake Ontario often creates ideal conditions for lake effect snow. The Tug Hill hamlet of Montague owns the single day New York State record of snowfall with 77 inches (6 feet, 5 inches) (almost 2 meters). Another Tug Hill village, Hooker (in Lewis County) holds the state record for annual snowfall. Hooker also received an extraordinary accumulation of snow in the winter of 1976-77, with a total accumulation of 466.9 inches – approximately 39 feet (almost 12 meters).
On February 10, 2007 the National Weather Service reported that the Town of Parish had received 100 inches (more than 2.5 meters) of snow over a seven day span, while the village of Redfield received 141 inches (more than 3.5 meters) of snow over a ten day span of February 3-February 12, 2007. In 1977 a huge blizzard struck the Tug Hill Plateau and dumped 97 inches in the small village of Carthage.


Thanks Roy and Happy Hunting,
Fraternally
Joe

MORE FROM THE EXTREME SEASON

TALLY HO!


TO: ALL BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

Big Woods Hare Hunter Wayne Wilson (R) receives the official insignia from the High Hare Man of The High

Plateau.

Monday, March 2, was a great day on The High Plateau of The Allegheny. Wayne received his official insignia and is now a Big Woods Hare Hunter. We (Wayne, Andy, Kaz and myself) spent a good day in the Allegheny National Forest chasing a magnificent Snowshoe Hare. The hounds did a good job too.

Wednesday, Jim Hanson and I, ventured once again onto the High Plateau. The hounds tried their hardest without much luck.

Today, Thursday March 5, was once again the same story. We find tracks and sign but we cannot get the little rascals out and running. The snow pack is hard and there has not been any new snow since last Saturday.

Tomorrow looks like a day at the Bear Town Beagle Club chasing the Eastern Cottontail and training some young hounds.

Next outing is Saturday, March 7. We will be meeting at the Village Dinor in beautiful down town Marienville at 7:00 A.M. See you there or be square.

Fraternally,

Joe

MORE FROM THE EXTREME SEASON

This hemlock stump was probably hundreds of years old when it was cut way back in the year 1900.
Charred remnants of fire can still be seen on some of these ancient stumps.













TALLY HO AND GREETINGS TO ALL BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS FROM THE HIGH PLATEAU!


At right is the kind of cover where The Big Woods Hare Hunters sometimes find the Omnipotent Snowshoe Hare. This spruce plantation was planted by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) back in the '30s. Probably after fires, set by railroad steam engines, swept through burning the brush and the deep humus.

Yesterday, Saturday February 28, Hare Hunters Kaz Kazmarek, Andy Hoover and myself with two hounds each, ventured into a High Plateau hemlock swamp. An area where the waters originate to feed the mighty Allegheny River, the Ohio River and beyond.

The snow pack had been hardened from a day of warm temperatures and heavy rains. The scenting conditions did not seam ideal.

During the morning hours the hounds did some babbling but no real scent was found. I don't believe we ever got a real scent trail going.

In the afternoon we had a couple of hounds come up missing and we spent the afternoon looking and finding the AWOL hounds.

Saturday, February 28, 2009 was not one of our finer days but all is well which ends well.

Tomorrow, Monday, will be another day. See you at the Village Dinor in beautiful downtown Marienville at 7:00 A.M..

Fraternally In Beagling and Hare Hunting,

oe