BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

 NEW MEMBERS INDUCTED

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CEO
of the

BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS of the ALLEGHENY

take great pride in announcing the induction of two sportsmen and snowshoe hare hunters as members of the Loyal Order.

The formal induction of Brayden C. Murray and William J. Murray into the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny was conducted at a special ceremony deep in the mountains of Central Maine by the High HareMan on October 28, 2021. The ceremony was witnessed by Board Member Joe Ewing, Jr. and Veteran Hare Hunter, Andy Hoover.  

Brayden Murray (L) and William Murray (R) are welcomed and congratulated by the High Hareman.

Will, a senior at Clarion-Limestone High School and employed by Sheetz Corp., is a dedicated hunter and sportsman having taken numerous big game animals such as deer and bear. Will also enjoys small game hunting for dove, cottontails and is quickly becoming accomplished in the pursuit of all legal game. William is the son of Michelle Murray and the late Chadd Murray, a true sportsman and dedicated hunter who we all miss very much. Will is the grandson of Brenda and Joe Ewing and the late Virginia and George Murray.

Brayden, a sophomore at Clarion-Limestone High School is self-employed and has been enjoying the sporting life for many years successfully filling his tags on deer. Brayden also enjoys small game hunting for dove, cottontails and is quickly becoming accomplished in the pursuit of all legal game. Brayden received his first taste of snowshoe hare hunting in the mountains of Central Maine in 2021.  Brayden is the son of Michelle Murray and the late Chadd Murray and the grandson of Brenda and Joe Ewing and the late Virginia and George Murray.

Will and Brayden will now be afforded all the rights and privileges bestowed upon a member in good standing in the Loyal Order.

(above) Will (R) and Brayden receive the official insignia of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny along with the latest version of the Loyal Order's cap at a ceremony in the mountains of Central Maine.

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 Plateau, 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, conservationists and preservationists. We like to call ourselves “elite” mainly because we are the select few. Few are the beaglers 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, search 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 beaglers.

The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny do not harvest snowshoe hare on the Allegheny High Plateau. We search for the elusive hare with beagles and when we find their lair the beagles test the hares’ escape and evasion capabilities to the maximum and in return the hares test the beagles. Chasing hare with beagles and allowing the hare to run free is as close to catch and release as the Big Woods Hare Hunters can achieve. It’s all about the beagles and it’s all about the hare.

Potential members are not solicited, petitioned or recruited. There are no application forms, papers, fees or dues, however, all would-be members are well vetted. Prospective candidates must demonstrate interest and dedication to the sport of beagling and faithful conservation of the majestic snowshoe hare on the Allegheny. To be indorsed by a member of the Loyal Order should be considered a significant honor.  Prospective members need not own or have ever owned a beagle. Our members long for the beautiful sounds of hare hounds hot on the chase with just a quick glimpse of a majestic snowshoe hare.