GREETINGS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017 FROM THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY.

 



TRAINING SEASON 2011

TRAINING SEASON 2011


The 2011 hound training season is underway.  The hounds are up to three hours at a training session and doing great.  We have had many good runs at the beagle club and not-so-many at the Marienville training grounds. 
Captain Kaz is campaigning his hounds and Wayne has a new male from Branko's.
We will all be ready for the hunting seasons ahead.
I don't know about anyone else but I am looking forward to winter and running in the snow.
Fraternally,

SUMMER UNDERWAY CAN HARE SEASON BE FAR BEHIND

TALLY HO!!
Greetings to all:
It is hot this week here in the Northeast. Some say its hot. Too hot for me. I crave for those "brisk" mornings on the High Plateau of the Allegheny with hounds running at full cry.
The hounds have been getting a lot of exercise as they are looking forward to seasons yet unchallanged. They have been getting out to the beagle club and to the Marienville training grounds. The cottontails are running good.
I am sorry I haven't been here very much since March. If I could ever get DSL or FIOS it would be much easier I know. I do see Verizon streatching fiber optic cable all over the place, so maybe someday.
Have a safe summer and we will blog soon.
Fraternally In Hare Hunting
The Executive High Hare Man

RETURN FROM MAINE 2011

BWHH GO TO MAINE AND RETURN

THE 2011 BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS MAINE 2011 HARE HUNT,

(Below)

Executive High Hare Man bags first snowshoe hare in Maine during the BWHH Maine Snowshoe Hare Hunt 2011.

(below)

Interstate 84 got a little rough on the return trip home.

(below)

Mike (L), Wayne and Andy prepare for a day of hunting hare in the beautiful Western Mountains of Maine.

(left)
Gracie (L), Speckles and Kipper had a great time running the magnificent snowshoe hare of Maine.

(right)

LTC Gracie needs no snowshoes on the hard packed snow of Maine.

(left)

The snow pack was four feet deep in some places. Here the snow pack was only three feet. The Ski pole is four feet long.

(below)

Andy (L) and Wayne enjoy a break on Hill 16 during the BWHH 2011 Maine Hare Hunt.

(above)

Wayne (L), Joe and Andy enjoy a break during the 2011 Maine Hare Hunt.

(BELOW)

An almost spectacular view from Hill 16 during the BWHH Maine Hunt of 2011.

RETURN FROM MAINE 2011

Andy, Wayne and I (“Ol’ Jim was unable to go along this year) returned from a spectacular week (six glorious days) of hunting for the magnificent snowshoe hare in the wilds of Western Maine on March 21 (March 14-19). We enjoyed what some called, “The best week ever!” I must concede and agree. The weather was good considering it is almost spring with a hard snow pack on most mornings. Most days the snow pack would be turning soft by afternoon. There seemed to be lots of hare this year as many “side-jumpers” were seen on all chases. The three of us shot five or six hares. Wayne did not buy his license until Friday and waited until Saturday, our last day of hunting, to shoot his two hares with my Contender. Wayne is now two-for-two with the hand gun. I shot the first hare on Monday with the Contender but missed several also. But non-the-less the Contender did bag a few.
On Friday, with Master Maine Guide Bob Howe as our Guide, we suffered a slight snowmobile wreck on the way in to a hunting sight. The sled on which I was riding behind the snowmobile tipped over and I went flying into the soft snow. Bob was not going slow. The hounds, which were riding in a box on the sled, did not suffer any and hunted outstandingly the rest of the day. Andy bagged one. The wind picked up in the afternoon and hearing the hounds was impossible so an early quit was in order. On the way out the snow pack was even softer and the snow machine tipped over two times. Of course, this time I was riding the snow machine with Bob. We all had a good laugh and made it out without injury of course.
The first four days Heath Howe was our Guide and we hunted some of our favorite hunting areas. We have a favorite place along Route 16 so we hunted there on Monday and Tuesday. Usually the hare take the hunters and hounds to the top of the mountain where the view is almost spectacular but on Monday we did all of our chasing on the low ground. On Tuesday we made it to the top of the mountain. Everyday we had “many, many” chases. At times too numerous to count.
“Wild March Hare” were an exciting if not exasperating “problem” on a couple of days. The old saying, “There’s nothing crazier than a March Hare” proved to be true. The hounds would start a “March Hare” which would end up a mile or more away with hunters in tow. Andy and Wayne both employ the latest in technology, the Garmin Astro, and we all use the Garmin Rhino GPS so we are in constant contact with each other and the hounds. I continue to use the Tracker Radio collars and Andy is using both the radio collars and the Astro on his hounds. About the only time Andy really needs all this stuff is when his hounds hit a March Hare. The rest of the time he owns the most reliable and best trained hounds of all of us.
Andy’s hounds, Nellie and Molly, did an outstanding job during the six days in the Western Mountains of Maine. I wish I could say the same for the hounds I carted to Maine. Poor old Gracie tried her best and on a few occasions did well, but played out early towards the end of the week. Kipper tried, this being his first year, I think. He seems to have the stamina. Males always have more stamina than the females. If he would just show more brains and nose. Tia and Speckles, well, it was hard to tell what they were doing. Tia was always in the chase and helping out on checks. Wayne’s hound, Freck did a great job with his big ball voice always making the chase exciting. Therefore, with the vote in, Andy’s LTC Nellie wins MVH (Most Valuable Hound) of The Hunt for 2011 and Wayne’s Freck gets it for Most Improved Hound (MIH) of the Hunt for 2011. LTC Kipper will be awarded, reluctantly, Rookie Hound of the Hunt for 2011. All will receive a citation and a generous cash award, Ha! Ha!
The Pine Grove Lodge was fabulous as always, with Andrea cooking up some absolutely grand tasting meals and always breathtaking deserts. Generous portions of NHL hockey was served up on the new wide screen TV. The hounds enjoyed the use of the kennel at the Pine Grove Lodge. Gracie was the only hound to chew her way out. This being the fist day I left her behind.
The road trip home proved to be a little treacherous at one point with an Early Spring blizzard slowing our progress. While crossing the mountain between the Hudson River and the Delaware River in New York the interstate became clogged with spun out vehicles. Wayne and I got off the road while Andy had to wait in traffic and we were lucky enough to enjoy a nice breakfast near Port Jarvis. As Spring weather would have it the icy roadways did not last long and we were on our way and made it home without anymore incidents.

All had a great trip. All men and hounds returned home none the worse for wear. Next year's hunt to Maine is already booked and I am almost ready to go. It looks like March 12 through the 17th, 2012.

There is a lot more I could say, but.....

Thanks to Andy, Wayne, Heath, Bob and Andrea for helping me enjoy a great time!

Fraternally In Beagling and Hare Hunting,

Joe

2011 EXTREME SEASON

TALLY HO!!

TO: ALL BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

FROM: THE EXECUTIVE HIGH HARE MAN

GREETINGS TO ALL

It has been a great winter.

(Below)

During a recent two day outing to Maryland's Eastern Shore Wayne (L) and I (not shown 'cause I am behind the camera) hunted with Merle and Bob B. (l-r) on Friday and the Maryland Traditional Longbow Hunters on Saturday.

Saturday was a blast watching the hunters try to shoot a cottontail with a longbow. It is estimated more than a hundred shots were fired without a hit.

(Below)

This picture was taken recently (January 2011) by me on the High Plateau of The Allegheny.

It seems to be much more difficult to get a good picture than it is to shoot one.

The stick in front of his face is the only problem.

(Below)

Sometimes it gets a little cooler than this on the High Plateau. The coldest morning I remember was a minus 14 degrees.

(Below)

Andy's Nellie during a day on the High Plateau. Nellie does a more than outstanding job chasing the Omnipotent Snowshoe Hare. She is tireless, big voiced and you know when Nellie opens her mouth there is a Hare on the run.

The 2011 "Extreme Season" has been outstanding with lots of snowshoe Hare to chase and fine winter weather. The only downside is LTC Patch is missing in action since January 26th. Some three weeks as I write these words. Patch is sorely missed on our trips to the High Plateau. Since her first trip to the Adirondacks in 2001 she has been a fixture on all our hunts with her high energy and big bugling voice and always one of the first to find a fresh track.

TALLY HO 2011

TALLY HO!!
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

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