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.