Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny: 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.