TO: THE LOYAL ORDER OF THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY, SNOWSHOE HARE HUNTERS AND ALL INTERESTED PARTIES.
FROM: THE WORLD HEADQUARTERS OF THE HIGH HARE MAN OF THE HIGH ALLEGHENY PLATEAU.
SUBJECT: PENNSYLVANIA HARE SEASON AND THE EXTREME SEASON.
GREETINGS:
As I sit down to pen these few words the snow is falling quietly on the High Plateau of The Allegheny, a result of a near perfect storm, a Nor' Easter is moving up the Atlantic Coast and another storm is moving in from Chicago. When these two storms meet in New York City it should be a good one up into Maine. Our friends in the Western Mountains of Maine should receive more than their fare share.
The fresh white snow is in all ways a boon to the Magnificent Varying Hare which relies on the perpetual (hopefully perpetual) white stuff for camouflage and protection. The earlier the snow flies in the fall and the longer it stays is all a benefit to the Omnipotent Hare.
THE PENNSYLVANIA VARYING HARE SEASON!
The Pennsylvania Varying Hare season which lasts only six days commenced with snow on the ground and ended with a torrential rain storm on the final Saturday.
Master BWHH Joe, Jr. was present for the opening salvos, a long standing tradition which hopefully never ends. Veteran Master BWHH Jim Hanson and myself joined Joe on the opening day. None of us carried a firearm and no shots (or salvos) were heard on that first day. Our hounds chased at least one Hare for over five hours with many sightings by all Big Woods Hare Hunters present. It was a glorious day!
A tale of a kill was overheard at the Kelly Hotel in beautiful downtown Marienville, PA. This report could or should be written off to eavesdropping and not reliable.
The second day of the season was missed due to an necessary trip to the Pittsburgh Airport. The remaining four days all proved successful with many sightings except for the final day which found Master BWHH Andy Hoover and myself braving a heavy rain storm for several hours without so much as a whimper from the hounds.
Other parties of hare hunters enjoyed luck finding hare during the PA hare season. The success of the kill during the six day Pennsylvania Varying Hare season cannot be measured by me or anyone including the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC). The PGC will come with a count, they always do.
The hounds of Little Toby Creek Kennel, Patch, Gracie, Speckles, Kipper, Angee and hounds from LTC which include Jim's Lucky and Andy's Molly and Nellie did an outstanding job during the regular season and continue to do so during the "Extreme Season".
The Magnificent Omnipotent Snowshoe Hare below waits and listens for the hounds during a long chase on The Allegheny Plateau.
The sparse snow and frozen ground did not make it easy for the hounds but they pressed on relentlessly none the less.
(Below)
The hounds chased this Snowshoe Hare during an outing to the High Plateau of The Allegheny for more than five (5) hours. The Big Woods Hare Hunters present made witness to this Hare or one like it on nine different sightings. The Hare on one occasion passed within 12 inches of the High Hare Man's foot. Kaz was there too and verified.
(Below)
The High Hare Man (l-r) along with Executive Board of Directors member and Master BWHH Ray Wolford, Board Member and Master BWHH Wayne Wilson, (front) Veteran BWHH and Board Member Kaz Kazmarek, Master Hare Hunter and Board Member Bill Moreland and Veteran Master Hare Hunter and Charter Member of the Loyal Order Jim Hanson pose for this picture after a grand day on The High Plateau.
(Below)
Marty H. receives the Official Emblem patch of The Loyal Order of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of The Allegheny from The High Hare Man after a successful outing to The Allegheny Plateau on 01-12-2011.
Marty's two hounds along with four from Little Toby Creek Kennel successfully chased the Omnipotent Snowshoe Hare past the watchers for several different sightings making for an exciting day.
Master BWHH Jim Taylor joined the festivities on the High Plateau.
(Above) Bill during Winter Hunt on 01-08-2011.
(Above) WILSON'S SABLE SAMANTHA 01-20-2011 DURING HER FIRST TRIP TO THE BIG WOODS.
Sammie may be small in stature but something tells me inside she has a big heart.
Deep snow will probably slow her down but hopefully she will be there when it counts.
THE EXTREME SEASON:
The Extreme Season is quickly proving to be an outstanding time of year and living up to what its name implies. We have been getting out regularly and always finding The Omnipotent Snowshoe Hare on the High Plateau.
On January 8, 2011, Kaz, Jim, Andy and I chased one or more Hare for more than five (5) hours with Kaz and I sighting it more than nine times during the day. The snow on the ground was sparse and the ground was frozen.
On January 8, 2011, members of the Board of Directors (Ray, Bill, Wayne and Kaz), Master Veteran BWHH Jim Hanson and myself enjoyed a great Winter Hunt on The High Plateau of The Allegheny chasing the Magnificent Snowshoe Hare. Everyone enjoyed a sighting of a Hare and more than one hunter agreed there may have been as many as three different Varying Hare.
That evening after the Winter Hunt everyone returned to headquarters for a magnificent turkey dinner and The Fifth Annual Executive Board meeting. The very tasty hunter's dinner was prepared by the Chef to The Loyal Order, Brenda Ewing.
Following the very enjoyable meal a business meeting and awards ceremony was held. Ray and Kaz were awarded a "Maine" chevron for their expert hunting and to commemorate their trip to The Great North Woods in the state of Maine in March of 2010.
The Board moved to award Brenda a full membership in The Loyal Order for her many trips to The High Plateau. Brenda witnessed her first Hare in the wild on November 8, 2010. BWHH Brenda received a pink BWHH's ball cap, commemorative BWHH Emblem patch with "Extreme" and "Maine" chevrons. BWHH Brenda has made several scouting trips to the state of Maine which the Maine chevron signifies.
A good time was had by all at the Fifth Annual Board Member Dinner.
I am glad to report to you that there have been no significant "events" by hound or hunter so far this season.
The Loyal Order is planning a big four day hunt in February. All who read this and wish to join us and be witness to the Omnipotent Snowshoe Hare and hopefully some strong hound work on hare, are invited to join us.
MAINE HUNT:
Four BWHHs are planning the Annual Pilgrimage to the great state of Maine in March which should culminate a great year on the Allegheny Plateau.
All for now.
Fraternally In Beagling, Hare Hunting and Hooked on Hare.
And Remember: "The Hare Will Shine Again."
JRE
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