FEBRUARY 17, 2020 HARE HUNTER INDUCTED INTO THE LOYAL ORDER

Official emblem of The Loyal Order

February 17, 2020

vETERAN HARE HUNTER accepted INTO THE

LOYAL ORDER OF THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

Ms. Mary Hosmer of Ridgway, Pennsylvania (L) is welcomed by the High HareMan.

The High HareMan of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny is honored to announce the induction of Ms. Mary Hosmer of Ridgway, Pennsylvania into the Loyal Order.

Ms. Hosmer was initiated into The Loyal Order of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny at a ceremony conducted deep in the Big Woods and high atop the Allegheny Plateau on President's Day, February 17, 2020.

The High HareMan of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny extended the hand of friendship and welcome while presenting Mary with the official cap emblazoned with the official emblem of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny and the official emblem/badge of The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny.

Mary Hosmer is retired from the U.S. Forest Service, Allegheny National Forest, serving as a wildlife biologist and a public relations specialist. We welcome her knowledge and expertise into the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny.

The day commenced with a Big Woods Hare Hunter breakfast presented at the famous Kelly Hotel in Marienville, PA. which was enjoyed by the seven (7) snowshoe hare hunters attending. A great meal filled with conversation about conservation and a hardy helping of fellowship was enjoyed by all.

After breakfast a convoy of cars and dog-trucks ventured forth onto the Allegheny. At a secret location deep in the Big Woods eight (8) highly capable hare hounds (beagles) were released into the wild.

Members present at the BWHH breakfast include, left; Kaz, Barbara, Mary, John, Jaret, Brenda and the High HareMan.

Although it was a beautiful day to be on the Allegheny, it turned out to be a glorious day for a walk through the forest. The hounds turned up not a single snowshoe hare much to the chagrin of the High HareMan. In the words of a friend and prophet, "If hare hunting was easy everyone would do it."

But then again, "It is only with terrible trepidation we venture forth."

Six members of The Loyal Order of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny witnessed Mary's induction. A time of fellowship followed the outing with Barbara Kazmarek presenting a hot lunch for the hare hunters. As one hungry hunter put it, "Nothing better than a grilled hot dog after a hard day in the Big Woods."

BWHH from left include: Jaret Zimmerman, Barbara Kazmerak, Jim "Kaz" Kazmerak, John Zimmerman, Brenda Ewing and Joe Ewing. Mary Hosmer was behind the camera.

Mary is now an official member in good standing of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny and is entitled to all the special rights, privileges, advantages and immunity granted or available to a Loyal Member. Membership in the Loyal Order is granted for life and cannot be revoked under any circumstances.

We are the proud members of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny. We search the mountains, high swamps, clear-cuts and evergreen plantations of the Allegheny High Plateau with beagles for the elusive snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus). Headquartered in Western Pennsylvania, high on the Allegheny, we are a band of outdoor men and women dedicated to the preservation of one of God’s greatest creations and one of Pennsylvania’s most elusive game animals, the majestic and magnificent varying hare.

Founded in 2002, we are a small, loosely organized, ever-expanding group of devoted beaglers, veteran snowshoe hare hunters, outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists dedicated to preserving the omnipotent snowshoe hare. We take pride in calling ourselves “elite” because we are the select few who dare venture onto the Allegheny High Plateau in the bitter cold of winter in search of the snowshoe hare making the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny a very exclusive group to be sure. There is no weather too severe or snow too deep to curtail our passion for the great outdoors. We love to get out into the elements, searching the Allegheny High Plateau for the elusive snowshoe hare, enjoying the thrill of the chase, while taking great pleasure in the beautiful beagle music as it rings across the scenic Allegheny.

The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny are dedicated to conserving and preserving the magnificent and omnipotent snowshoe hare on the Allegheny Plateau. Our objective is to save this magnificent animal for future generations of Pennsylvanians to enjoy. We take great pride in our mission of conservation of the varying hare. The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny are determined to preserve the thrill of the chase for future generations of Pennsylvanians.