SCOUTING ON THE HIGH PLATEAU

TALLY HO!!
TO: ALL BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY
FROM: THE HIGH HARE MAN
SUBJECT: SCOUTING ON THE HIGH PLATEAU OF THE ALLEGHENY
Greetings,
The weather on the High Plateau of The Allegheny has become ideal winter, January or February like, weather. The plateau is encased in 12-15 inches of beautiful snow.
"Old" Jim, Brenda and myself were out scouting yesterday with the "A" team and found the Omnipotent Snowshoe Hare immediately and the hounds chased for two and a half hours. The temperature started out at 9 degrees and never went much further upward.
Today, the 17th, BWHH Wayne, Captain Kaz and myself took hounds to another old haunt and had a great day chasing hare with everyone having a sighting.
Tomorrow, Saturday, We will be meeting in down town Marienville at the "Dinor". Everyone is invited to go along. If your bringing hounds please let me know so as I can leave some home.
All for now.
Fraternally in Beagling and hooked on hare.
"The Hare will shine again."
Joe

BOARD MEMBER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

CONGRATULATIONS TO BIG WOODS HARE HUNTER RAY WOLFORD ON HIS RETIREMENT!
Hello, High Hare Man,
Good to here from u. My last day of work is 12/28, I am going to talk to Bill about maybe coming down on the 29/30, or 30/31 if it is ok with u. If he cannot come maybe I will alone. Let me know if those dates are ok. That pesky deer season is almost over, I got a nice 9pt. 22" wide with bow, Cheryl got 2 does. I would like to get one more for my brother Greg before the season is over. Talk/see u soon.
Hare will SHINE again.
Ray
On Wed, 12/1/10,

EMAILS FROM HARE HUNTERS

TALLY HO!! EMAILS FROM FELLOW HARE HUNTERS.

(above) Marty's whitetail and (left) Marty's mule deer.

joe

deer season is done 1 montana mule deer and a pa. whitetail. now it is time to let the dogs have some fun. maggie & jake are in prime shape &running great . We would like to join you on a quest for the white rabbit. I have a friend who would be interested in getting one mounted if thats ok with you. looking forward to a great day chasing white rabbits

Marty Hrin

James Kazmarek
Dec 5
RE: TALLY HO!! SNOW ON THE HIGH PLATEAU
To the "High hare man" You know you can count on me! Hope you are feeling better. Deer season will soon be over and I look forward to running the hounds. KAZ

Hi Joe
we also have snow on the ground and only a few more days of the pesky deer season, WE have plenty of venison for the winter and hope to get the dogs out next week, Stay in touch
Roy sends


I can hear the music now. Have fun
lwewing@sbcglobal.net

I was thinking of you this AM.
Thanks again for keeping me in the loop... I do enjoy the reports of your hunting expeditions.
We are home for Thanksgiving and Christmas and going back to FL around the 5th of January.
My nephews tell me there are a fair number of cottontail rabbits down at our deer hunting cabin. If you are interested and we get a good day and you get the fever we might go down and give it a go when the season comes back in. I'm not up to speed as to when it does comes back in. There are coyotes in the area and we might as well get the rabbits as the coyotes. We are seeing a couple bear also. They have been in the cabin before we got a better lock. One has tried to get in since but was unsuccessful.
How did the first season go, are there a few out there or are the still scarce?
Best regards,
DMW

LOOKING AHEAD TO SEASON

The hounds are getting ready for the 2010-2011 season.
It has been a long, hot, endless summer, but all the while looking forward, with a longing heart, towards the magnificent Autumn season and beyond. A magnificent winter on the High Plateau of the Allegheny is anticipated.
Hound training started in earnest at the end of August missing only a few days in August and into October.
Cottontail rabbit season opened on October 24th and Snowshoe Hare season will open on December 26th for six glorious days.
Anyone wanting to join us is more than welcome.
Snowshoe Hare season will be the same as last season. If someone wants to kill a hare for a mounted trophy we might, after a thorough back ground check, be able to accommodate.
The "one hour rule" will of course be enforced. The "one miss" rule will also be enforced, along with the "two hour time limit".
So there you have it.
Check back often as this blog will be updated often during the Snowshoe Hare Season and the Extreme Season from the High Plateau.
Fraternally In Hare Hunting,
J.R.

HARE SEASON STARTS EARLY

TO: ALL BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY
FROM: THE HIGH HARE MAN OF THE ALLEGHENY
Greetings,
The "Hare chasing" season has commenced with "Old" Jim, Brenda and I venturing into the big woods in search of the magnificent Snowshoe Hare. As luck would have it, on Monday, Brenda enjoyed her first opportunity ever to witness a Hare in the wild.
The Hare are in their autumn splender with ears turning to white and feet growing white hair from which they get their name "Snowshoe".
The hounds chased the Hare for some three and a half hours. Jim and I saw the Hare five or six different times during the chases. We will be venturing onto the High Plateau often now as the bug has got our interest to a peek.
Has you probably have guessed we did not take our annual trip to Maine this fall.

FIRST HARE SIGHTING OF THE SEASON

TO: ALL BWHHs of THE ALLEGHENY

TODAY, OCTOBER 20TH, 2010, OLD JIM AND I VENTURED DEEP INTO THE BIG WOODS OF THE HIGH PLATEAU.

TWENTY MINUTES AFTER RELEASING THE HOUNDS THE CHASE WAS ON. JIM AND I BOTH BEHELD THE MAGNIFICENT SNOWSHOE HARE IN ALL HIS AUTUMN SPLENDOR.

BWHH SCORES BIG!!

BWHH SCORES BIG IN PA ARCHERY SEASON!

BWHH AUTUMN K. BISH KILLS RECORD SETTING BUCK DURING THE 2010 PENNSYLVANIA ARCHERY SEASON!

joe,

here are a few pictures of the 11 point buck i got this archery season. got him on the 13th of october at 8 a.m. 17 inch spread.

autumn

Congratulations to BWHH Autumn!

"One Less Deer To Chase."

SUCCESS IN QUEBEC-BWHH HARVESTS SPRING BEAR

BIG WOODS HARE HUNTER HAS SUCCESS IN QUEBEC DURING SPRING BEAR!

BWHH Autumn Bish (left) harvested this 160 pound black bear during the spring bear season in Quebec, Canada.

Autumn launched one shot from a 300 Winchester magnum rifle to kill her bear on June 11, 2010, her wedding anniversary.

The Bish's traveled 650 miles to Trout Lake, Quebec where they also did some fishing as witnessed below.

(above) BWHH Autumn (r) with black bear and husband Corey (L).

(below) BWHH Autumn with walleye.

BWHH Autumn is the daughter of Board Member and Captain of The Loyal Order Jim "Kaz" Kazmarek.

2010 MAINE HARE HUNT

(Above)

For the very first time ever, six members of The Loyal Order made the historic trip to the Western Mountains of Maine for six exciting and fun filled days of hunting the elusive Snowshoe Hare.

(Left to right)

Captain and Board Member of The Order, Kaz; Charter Member of the Order, Jim; Board Member, Ray; High Hare Man, Joe; Board Member, Wayne; and Charter Member and Senior Advisor, Andy.

For the very first time in the history of The Loyal Order of The Big Woods Hare Hunters of The Allegheny six (6) loyal members would make the pilgrimage to the mecca of hare hunting, the great hunting state of Maine. The Pine Grove Lodge in Pleasant Ridge, Maine was our intended destination for six days of hunting the elusive and omnipotent Snowshoe Hare.

The five-hundred plus mile trip would prove difficult as torrential rain haunted the caravan all the way to Maine. Not only the driving was bad but getting the hounds out and fed made for a damp (to say the least) endeavor.

Once we reached the upper regions of Maine the rain stopped. They had not received a drop in Pleasant Ridge being outside the very edge of the storm.

The next six days of hunting would be filled with mixed emotion as the hunters had dreamed of fresh tracking snow and winter like weather. Not the case, as warm, Spring like conditions would be the norm for the week.

Hunting in places with names like "Cobbs Camp", "White Rock", "Hutch's Mountain", "Morse Pond", "Stink Bait", and "Cyr Road", the hunters would encounter many different kinds of terrain, from rocky mountains to cedar swamps.

The warm weather presented difficult snowshoeing conditions. The snow pack would soon become soft and slushy. With the snow pack melting underneath from the always warm ground, the snow would not hold the weight of the snowshoeing hunter on many steps.

The hounds, all ten (10), worked tirelessly in their attempt to chase the snowshoe hare. Many many good runs were enjoyed by the hunters on each and every day. Wayne's hound Freck, is in contention for "Moved Improved Hound of the Hunt" with LTC Wiggles up their too. Wayne's hound Wendy is a shoe in for "Rookie Hound of the Hunt". Andy's hound, Nellie, and LTC Gracie are in contention for "MVH" of the Hunt. So, all in all the hounds did a great job.

The hunters on the other hand were not as proficient as the hounds. With only two long guns and one short, I don't think the hunters were all that serious. I killed one hare and Ray killed another. The desire to kill has long left this band of hare hunters. The love of the beagle on the trail of an Omnipotent Hare and the music they make is what IT is all about.

With the "Extreme Season" now over it will be time to train and condition young hounds and keep old hounds in shape. We (the members of the Loyal Order) may make a couple more trips to the High Plateau this spring in hopes of seeing a hare in the the act of "varying" (turning brown).

It has been a very rewarding and fun filled year. We can only look ahead to next season.

(Below)

The camera looks over BWHH Wayne's shoulder during a day of hare hunting in the Western Mountains of Maine. The weather was warm and unseasonable.

(Below)

BWHH Andy enjoys the scenery, the hound music and the warm weather on a mountain in the Western Mountains of Maine during the 2010 Maine Hare Hunt.

(Below)

BWHH and Senior Advisor to The High Hare Man, Andy, gets his bearings from his "old fashioned" but always reliable compass. Andy uses a Garmin Rino 530 for navigating and uses Tracker collars and a Tracker receiver on his hounds.

(Below)

Two great hounds!

Of course the author of this blog is biased, but Patch (right) and Gracie (left) did an outstanding job. Patch is eleven years old and still going strong after all those years which include many thousands of hare chases. Patch came up missing in action during one of the hunts and radio contact was lost. (Patch wears a Wildlife Material's tracking collar and her master uses a Tracker radio receiver.) A signal from her collar was finally received as we neared the Pine Grove Lodge. A bobcat hunter had found her, called my house, found out where she was staying and took her to the lodge. Later we put tags on the hounds with the lodge's phone number. Something we usually do.

Gracie is in contention for MVH (Most Valuable Hound) of the 2010 Maine Hare Hunt.

(Below)

With a chair made from his snowshoes, The High Hare Man relaxes during a day in the Maine Woods. The weather was extremely warm and spring like.

(Below) During the travels of the BWHHs to Maine the hounds get a chance to relax. This particular scene is in Fishkill, NY. Other scenes just like this are seen often during the trip. Ten great hare hounds made the trip. All hounds did outstanding work and they will be rewarded handsomely. Very few of the hounds suffered injuries. The snow pack, some times frozen hard and later in the day soft and mushy, made travel for both hounds and hunters difficult.

(Below) Before departing for the wilds of Maine, Extreme BWHH Kaz was awarded the Captain bars of The Loyal Order by the High Hare Man during one of many outings to the High Plateau of the Allegheny in preparation for the trip to the Western Mountains of Maine.

Captain Kaz will be responsible for all things Captain in The Loyal Order.

(Below) BWHH Ray stands in thick cover where he shot this beautiful specimen during a great day afield in the heart of Maine.

The "B Team", consisting of Kaz's little hound Kelly, Wayne's Wendy, Andy's Molly and Joe's Wiggles and Tia did a great job on this high mountain near Morse Pond in the Mountains of Western Maine. The rocky terrain and a loose snow pack of a couple of feet made climbing the mountain a real feat. Climbing down the mountain was even worse.

(Below) Extreme BWHH Wayne W., like everyone else, prepares electronics for the hunt. BWHH hunter Wayne uses a Garmin Astro on his hounds and guides himself with a Garmin Rino 530.

(Below) BWHH Ray waits for the hare to appear as the hounds do an outstanding job during the six days in Maine.

(Below) The beautiful mountains of Western Maine.

(Below)

Six veteran members of The Loyal Order of The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny in the Western Mountains of Maine. The six hunters had their hounds and themselves ready for what ever the mountains of Western Maine persented, or so they thought.

From left to right: Jim H., Wayne W., Joe E., Andy H., Ray W., and Jim K..

THE END

EXTREME JANUARY ENDS

JANUARY ABOUT DONE!
Although the first two weeks of January 2010 were some of the best Snowshoe hunting in recent memory the last week or more has been some of the worst.
The first part of January was like winter is supposed to be with cold, brisk temperatures and fresh snow every morning. Not a lot of snow but enough to sweep or shovel and enough to scrape out of the kennel. No better way to keep the kennels clean than scraping fresh snow and other stuff out every day. But also, a fresh cover of snow in the Big Woods makes the scenting much better for the hounds.
The last week or so has seen very little fresh snow fall on the High Plateau. The snow pack has been different everyday but also the same. One day the snow will be wet and slushy or hard as concrete. But which ever way it is the hounds still have a hard time picking up a good scent, getting a good line and keeping the line moving.
I have known for a long time that "old snow" is not good for chasing hare.
Yesterday, heavy rains and a thaw on the High Plateau made for very wet conditions in the Big Woods. The streams were over their banks. It has been a long time since I've seen this much water. I can understand why Pittsburgh was having flood warnings. The Allegheny National Forest which was created to save Pittsburgh from flooding was unable to contain all of the water. The snow melt and the heavy rain were more than the land could handle. I cannot imagine the amount of water which would go down the Allegheny River without the Allegheny National Forest. I guess Congress knew what they were doing years ago. Too bad Congress does not know what they are doing today. The health care bill being the supreme example.
This morning there is a fresh snow fall on the High Plateau but we were unable to attend because of other appointments. Tomorrow the hounds will be out. I know the Omnipotent Snowshoe Hare will be out. Hopefully the hounds will be able to find some DNA and get a chase going.
The End

EXTREME SEASON CONTINUES

THE EXTREME SEASON CONTINUES WITH HUNTS ALMOST EVERYDAY. OUR SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY THE SIGHTINGS OF THE ELUSIVE AND OMNIPOTENT SNOWSHOE HARE AND THE HUNT WORK OF THE HOUNDS.

A BEAUTIFUL SNOWSHOE HARE.

This elusive Hare as he prepares for a giant leap in an attempt to avoid the hounds.

(Below) Mr. Hare thinks he is hidden.

(BELOW) A OMNIPOTENT SNOWSHOE HARE AS IT LISTENS FOR THE HOUNDS AND WATCHES THE HIGH HARE MAN OF THE ALLEGHENY.

This was photo taken on the High Plateau on a beautifully cool day in January during a hunt in the Allegheny National Forest.

The sun had just come out and glistening off the whitest of white snow making for a beautiful photo opportunity.

(BELOW) A MAGNIFICENT SNOWSHOE HARE AS IT TRAVERSES A LIGHT SNOW IN FRONT OF THE HOUNDS.

(BELOW) LTC PATCH WADES THROUGH A DEEP SNOW MOMENTS AFTER AN OMNIPOTENT SNOWSHOE HARE PASSED.

(BELOW) BWHH ANDY HOOVER RETURNS FROM A SUCCESSFUL DAY OF SNOWSHOE HARE HUNTING ON THE HIGH PLATEAU.

Andy is seen with his beautiful and talented hare hounds LTC Molly (r) and LTC Nellie.

In the background you can see an oil tank battery which is part of the oil and gas exploration in the Allegheny National Forest.

(BELOW) ANOTHER USE FOR DUCT TAPE!

Andy Hoover uses duct tape to protect the foot of his hound LTC Nellie before a hunt on the High Plateau of the Allegheny.

(BELOW) THREE OF SIX GREAT HARE HOUNDS WHICH HARASSED

AN ELUSIVE SNOWSHOE HARE FOR MORE THAN THREE HOURS THROUGH DEEP WET SNOW ON JANUARY 16, 2010.

From left to right: Little Toby Creek Blacky, Ironmountain Tia and LTC Patch.

(BELOW) THREE OF SIX GREAT HARE HOUNDS WHICH PATROL THE HIGH PLATEAU ON A ALMOST DAILY BASIS IN SEARCH OF THE ELUSIVE SNOWSHOE HARE AND WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE GREAT CHASE OF JANUARY 16, 2010.

Shown below from left to right are: Little Toby Creek Wiggles, LTC Gracie and BWHH Jim Hanson's big hound Lucky.

(BELOW) BWHH JIM HANSON (L) AND THE HIGH HARE MAN VISIT THE KAZ FAMILY "TALLY HO CABIN" IN THE ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST JANUARY 16, 2010.

FROM OHIO

Captain Bob Hayner, Captain to the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny, with two large coyotes he has trapped this winter near Marble Head, Ohio.

Photo courtesy of Captain Bob Hayner 2010.

LOYAL MEMBER IN TEXAS!

BWHH Larry Ewing, brother to the High Hare Man, returns from a hunt with his hound in 22 degree weather near Houston, Texas.

Note the great looking Big Woods Hare Hunters of The Allegheny official patch sewed to his jacket.

Photograph courtesy of L. W. Ewing, Stafford, Texas 2010.

EMAIL FROM A HUNTER

Marty Hrin on the High Plateau during trophy Snowshoe Hare hunt.

Hello!

Thank you for a wonderful hunting experience. I sure learned alot and got a lesson on technology. It was such a privilege to bag a snowshoe hare and it will be the one and only harvest in PA. Jake and I would love to go again and I will leave my gun at home.Can't make it on Monday, but perhaps another day. Maybe we could run some cottontails too.

Marty

EXTREME SEASON 2010 BEGINS

TALLY HO!! TO ALL MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE LOYAL ORDER OF THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY.

The "EXTREME Season" has begun with some great days in the big woods already.
The "Extreme" Season is the period after the regular Pennsylvania Hare season, starting January 2nd through our Maine hunt, in which the BWHH of The Allegheny chase Snowshoe Hare just for the fun, enjoyment and challenge of it. Some BWHHs actually prefer this extreme time of the year.
The weather is extreme, cold and brutal. The travel by truck and car, challenging. Mainly, the dog work, the conditions which the hounds must overcome to perform their skill. And skill it is! The ever changing snow conditions, the extreme cold, wind and most of all, the extreme depth of the snow pack make every thing about the "EXTREME Season" extreme.
THE HOUNDS! IT IS ALL ABOUT THE HOUNDS.
Most all beaglers and hounds man claim they own or have owned some pretty good or even great hounds. Until they have chased the magnificent and omnipotent Snowshoe Hare in the dead of winter, through a deep snow pack in brutal conditions for hours with a pack of hounds, all competing for the lead, their hounds have not been tested. SHOW ME!!
ENOUGH OF THE EDITORIAL.
The extreme season started on Saturday, January 2nd, 2010, with Veteran BWHH Jim Hanson and myself in the Big Woods enduring cold temperatures and high winds. With either great scouting or extremely good luck the hounds jumped a hare "right of the tailgate" and the chase was hot for some time. As the chase wore on it broke down but the hounds some how kept trying. After three hours Jim and I had enough and called it a day.
Monday, January 4th.
BWHHs Jim, Wayne, Andy and I were back onto the High Plateau of The Allegheny in search of the elusive Snowshoe Hare of the Allegheny. Again, good scouting proved positive as a chase was on instantly.
The hounds, LTC Gracie and Tia, Wayne's hounds Freck and Wendy, Andy's hounds Nellie and Molly and Jim's hound Lucky chased the hare with style. I, luckily made the first sighting. Wayne, Andy and Jim made several sightings over the course of the day.
Of course there were break downs and mistakes by the hounds but there was also some great hound work. A great day was had by all.
A similar day was enjoyed by BWHH Kaz, Jim and I on Wednesday, January 6th in Elk County, PA with at least two good chases and several sightings.
It is great to be able to get out into the fresh air and onto the High Plateau in search of the elusive and magnificent Snowshoe Hare. If you haven't tried it lately you should. The wind will blow the stink off and your cares away.
THE END.

THE 2009-2010 PENNSYLVANIA HARE SEASON

THE 2009-2010 SEASON ENDS!!

The 2009-2010 season was very successful each and every time out. Harvesting a trophy hare for Marty Hrin was the highlight of the season. Getting out was the biggest problem. Joe, Jr. and I waited patiently for the rains to stop which they never did, a day to the Pittsburgh Airport and another day missed because of lack of interest.

The numbers of Snowshoe Hare seem to up this year from last. Other hunters, including New Bethlehem BWHH Jim "Kaz" Kazmarek, reporting having a very successful season. Kaz's party collected two trophy hare. Reports from across the state are up too.

(Below) During the recent season (December 26, 2009 through January 1, 2010) many sightings of the Omnipotent Snowshoe Hare like the one below were made.

2009 Photo by J. R. Ewing in The Allegheny National Forest.

SUCCESS ON THE HIGH PLATEAU!!

SUCCESS ON THE HIGH PLATEAU!!

In Search of One Trophy Hare!!

Tuesday morning, December 29th found the thermometer in the single digits with a strong breeze blowing out of the North onto the High Plateau of the Allegheny. Four hare hunters including new comer Marty Hrin from Rockton, PA, a protegee of Master Hare Hunter Jim Taylor, Grand Mentor Jim Taylor himself, Master Hare Hunter Jim Hanson, and the High Hare Man of the High Plateau, nonetheless undaunted, ventured on to the High Plateau in search of one omnipotent trophy Snowshoe Hare.

Six hare hounds had been released into a fresh snow pack of several inches. The pack of veteran hare hounds included Marty's hound, Jake, and Jim Hanson's big hound, Lucky. Other hounds included Little Toby Creek Kennel's Patch, Gracie, Speckles and Wiggles.

The hunters, braving high winds and slippery conditions, took the hounds into a blow down area known to contain the elusive Snowshoe Hare. No hare sign was found right away but the hounds seemed to know they were in Snowshoe habitat as some babbling wound occasionally erupt from their usually quiet mouths.

The hunters and hounds worked their way through the fallen timber without sign or success. At one point the hounds left the blow down, working a more open area higher on the mountain but to no avail.

The Hunters decided to get the hounds back into the blow down and set a different course and heading.

Soon the hounds found a hot scent, fresh DNA, and not long after the chase was on. For more than three hours the hare hounds pushed the hare. During the first hour, remember, the "one hour rule" was in effect, the hounds would be given a full hour to work their magic of the chase, the hounds made three circles with Marty and the High Hare Man sighting the hare each and every time.

On the fourth circle and the fourth sighting, the hour being completed, Marty unleashed one shot from his shotgun but missed.

The hounds, improving their skill with each successive trip through the Big Woods, pushed onward toward a fifth... and final circle.

Now, nearing three hours into this magnificent chase, the omnipotent Snowshoe Hare made his last trip.

Marty's 12 gauge Berretta found it's mark with both barrels and a great Snowshoe Hare chase and a trophy Snowshoe Hare were now history.

The hounds had performed, not necessarily flawlessly, but, with outstanding skill. Sometimes during the chase it seemed like there may have been a side chase or two. No definite evidence of more than one hare ever presented itself during the more than three hour chase.

The red gods of hare hunting smiled down upon us by providing us with a great day afield. The day proved to be otherwise uneventful except Jim Taylor tore some ligaments in an ankle. We hope he heels quickly.

THE END!!

(Below) Marty Hrin, a self employed business man, outdoors man and a highly successful big game hunter who had just returned for a successful hunt in Alaska where he bagged a mountain goat waits as his hound Jake and other hounds owned by Jim Hanson and Joe Ewing chase a magnificent Snowshoe Hare through the Big Woods of the Allegheny National Forest.

(Below) Marty Hrin and his hound, Jake, show off their trophy Snowshoe Hare immediately after harvest. The chase was a great one, lasting more than three hours and ending on the fifth time by.

(Above) Marty Hrin of Rockton, PA. receives the official cap of The Loyal Order of The Big Woods Hare Hunters of The Allegheny from the High Hare Man of the High Plateau to commemorate his success on the High Plateau of The Alleghenies.