FROM THE ARCHIVES 2008

 

GREETINGS FROM THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

HOW DOGS SMELL (OR WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW) by Joe Ewing,

Executive High Hare Man of The Big Woods Hare Hunters of The Allegheny, Beagler, and Hare Hunter.

Sidney Crosby 2021

Every once in a while one comes across an interesting article in one of our “major” publications. The American Hunter magazine article is titled “How Dogs Smell…(Pretty Good Actually)” and caught my eye immediately. The author, a field Editor, by the name Ron Spomer, has apparently done his homework and research. Although the article is geared more toward bird dogs I can understand how the article relates to me and my lowly beagles. I could not put it down.

If you can find the magazine, The American Hunter, July 2008 edition I suggest you give it a look. It is only two pages, contains some very interesting information and confirms what beaglers have known forever and have argued over since the beginning of time.

“Have you ever wondered why no one hunts with a pug…”
[is how the article starts out. But then, Ron Spomer, the writer, gets right to the point.]

“A canine detects scents via microscopic receptor cells (ethmoidal cells) in its nose.”

“…, the human nose might house 5 million receptors. Your Labrador might have 250 million, a bloodhound 300 million!”

[I wonder how many “receptors” the typical beagle posses. A lot I bet. I would guess, not as many as a bloodhound but possibly more than a Labrador. The Labrador‘s nose is bigger than beagles and longer.]

“The human receptor area is about the size of a postage stamp, the dogs are the size of a Kleenex tissue, so a dog should be able to smell 100,000 times better than you.”

[Of course, they do! At least that many times better.]

“This is why we carry the guns and our dogs sniff the ground.”
[Cute.]

“The Mental Aspect”

“But ‘picking up’ odors is only part of it. A dog’s brain is built to thoroughly and efficiently interpret those scent signals; its olfactory area is about 40 times larger than ours. Dogs detect the odor layers, the individual scents layered one atop the other. Just as we remember visual things, dogs remember odoriferous things; thus sniffing that occurs when dogs greet one another.

In order to work at full capacity, olfactory receptors must remain damp. Those turbinate bones in the nose are covered in olfactory mucosa, a thick, spongy membrane covered in mucus, according to scientists at Purina. The moisture helps capture scent molecules, which are then processed by millions of hair-like cilia, which hold the ethmoidal cells. This is why sick dogs with dry noses don‘t detect odors very well. It‘s also why healthy dogs lick their noses. Keeping all those surface nooks and crannies moist helps pick up and hold scent molecules. Even the cracks under the outside corners of dog nostrils contribute to scenting by flaring to stir up molecules. Snorting or inhaling deeply and purposefully brings them into contact with nasal receptors. Floppy hound ears stir up the ground scent. Wrinkled skin captures rising odor molecules.”

“Ground vs. Air Scent”

“Ground scent is important because it sticks to surfaces and ‘hangs around‘ sometimes for days. But air scent, molecules floating or drifting in the air, is what enables bird dogs to catch wind of their prey with noses in the air…”

[This is probably why our hounds, sometimes, run off the line several feet to the right or left.]

“We do the same thing when we detect campfire smoke or cooking bratwurst on the breeze.”
“While most of us imagine that water washes away all scent, it doesn't. Oil floats in water…”

[This must be why hunting in the rain with beagles seems to go so much better.]
“…but damp ground helps hold them {scent}. The dry, dusty ground makes for poor scenting conditions. Giving a dog frequently, small drinks in hot, dry conditions can improve scenting.

Muzette Mountain Music 2021

[A beagling companion once said to me that a self-respecting hound can find his own water in all but drought conditions. In any case, if you watch the hounds closely, they will find water and drink it often. Something the author never mentioned was snow and scenting on snow which is a whole new ball game. Maybe bird hunters don’t hunt in the snow, cold and extreme conditions?]

“Can a Nose be Turned Off?”

“If you have ever wondered why a fresh dog often overruns birds, blame it on excitement. Overly eager dogs forget to switch on their noses or, more accurately, their olfactory brain detectors.”

[We always claim the hound don’t have brains. Now we know they just forget to switch it on. Some hounds don’t have anything to switch on.]

“They’re like kids on Christmas eve. Work on calming your dog rather than firing him up before hunts and training sessions. Stop a spastic dog that is running hither and yon. Most hunt more efficiently after that initial rush. Try to use body language and tone of voice to calm the passionate beast at the start.”

[Over the years, I noticed when the hounds have lost the rabbit and I have seen where the rabbit went it is counterproductive to yell and scream when trying to get the hounds back onto the track. Especially young hounds when training. Ideally, the hounds are out there to learn and they learn by doing and thus they need to learn to work it out. My interference teaches them nothing but to go crazy when I yell. Now when hunting with older, well-seasoned hounds that don’t go spastic, I may “tally-ho” them to the track. Lately, for the last 20 or 25 years, I have been using a calm voice to help out the boys and girls, but rarely.]

“Plenty of water and energy snacks can help, but proper conditioning and a high protein diet year-round are better preventives.”

[I always wondered why I never get around to changing to a “cheaper”, lower protein, lower-fat dog food in the summer. Now I know. “Proper” conditioning also means not overdoing it which I have been known to do. Most hounds I have known do not like to be over-trained.]

“Think of your dog’s scenting ability like any other athletic skill and train accordingly. Remember that at least half the equation is thinking or concentration or whatever it is a dog does to use that massive olfactory chunk of its brain. Sucking in the raw odors is just the start. It’s what your dog does with those molecules that determine your success together.”

There you have it. All there is to know about how dogs smell.

If you have any comments please write them down here. I would love to hear your thoughts and idea.

URGENT NEWS RELEASE: RHDV2 SPREADING

 Rabbit Disease Spreading

by Joe Ewing, Correspondent, Reporting

 

photo by J. Ewing

 

As of April 2022, RHDV2 has been confirmed in WILD RABBITS in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and Oregon. 

Source, Wildlife Health.org

As reported several months ago on these pages the deadly rabbit disease RHD (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease) is spreading. RHD has now been found in several more western states, several southwestern states, and a domestic case in New York State. RHDV2 has been confirmed in domestic rabbits in all states with wild cases as well as Tennessee, New York, Kentucky, Mississippi, Minnesota, South Dakota, Georgia, and Florida.

RHDV2, a variant of RHD, is very contagious among wild and domestic rabbits. RHDV2 is responsible for mass “die-offs” in both domestic and wild rabbits according to a wildlife veterinarian for the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC).

The PGC Board has approved an RHD Response Plan to protect wild rabbits and hares in PA. The move followed an order last year that prohibits the importation into Pennsylvania of any wild lagomorph, or any of their parts from any state or country known to have cases of RHDV2 in the past 12 months. The PA Dept. of Agriculture has issued a similar order pertaining to domestic rabbits. PA hunters who hunt out of state are alerted and advised to observe the order. Beagle club managers who buy domestic rabbits for training are cautioned to be on the alert.

RHD is similar to avian influenza. They are both viral diseases that can be spread by contact with secretions which lead to high rates of sickness and death in rabbits. RHDV2 can be spread through direct contact with infected rabbits, or exposure to infected bodily fluids. Hunters and beaglers should use caution when handling rabbit remains. Rabbits found dead in the wild should not be handled.

The virus can also survive and spread on carcasses, food, water, and other contaminated materials. Scavengers and birds may play a role in transmission of the RHD virus.  There seems to be no live test available for RHDV2, however, there is a vaccine for domestic rabbits only. The only signs of the disease are sudden death and blood staining around the nose, caused by internal bleeding. Many of the rabbits recently confirmed with RHDV2 in the U.S. have shown no clinical signs other than sudden death.

A USDA map of counties with confirmed cases of RHDV2 in wild and domestic rabbits, as of March 20, 2022, can be found at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/maps/animal-health/rhd 

 

 

 

 

04-17-2022 MEMBER INSPECTS NEW SIGN

MEMBER INSPECTS NEW SIGN

Member travels over 1500 miles to view and inspect the new sign.

Member Ewing travels from the great state of Texas to inspect the infamous sign.

Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny member Mr. Larry Ewing (L) from Houston, Texas, and the High HareMan inspect the new sign.

SIGN RESTORED

 NEW SIGN PLACED

APRIL 14, 2022

Muzette, PA- Thanks to Seneca Resources Company, Mr. Josh Peters, and members of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny a replacement sign was installed at the “Project 2020” site in the Muzette Proving Grounds (MPG) on April 14, 2022.

Members Roy Towner (L), Kaz, and Barbara Kazmarek commence the replacement procedure.

Member Roy anchors the replacement sign.

Roy climbed the ladder.

Kaz planned and coordinated the project.

Roy did the work.

Roy admires his work.

Thanks to members Kaz (L), Roy, and Barbara for their coordinated effort.

The High HareMan (L) took the pictures.

History: 

In late 2019 the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny commenced a habitat reclamation project on land owned by Seneca Resources Company. 

The project was conducted in cooperation and with the assistance of Seneca Resources Company and their Forester.

The project's stated mission was to "improve nesting and escape cover" for all small mammals including eastern cottontail rabbits.

A professionally produced metal sign was placed on a permanent 4"X4" treated post with the consent and authorization of the landowner. The object of the sign was to inform passersby of what was happening at the site, who was doing the work, and that it was being accomplished with the permission and cooperation of the landowner. Another lesser objective was to show that Seneca Resources Company was interested in conservation.

The sign made it through 2 winters, however, in late 2021 it was discovered our sign was missing and had mysteriously disappeared.

The missing sign would have had no value to anyone except to the members of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny.

The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny offered a reward for the safe return of the sign. The High HareMan offered to match the reward.

The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny also offered a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator or perpetrators.

Over the course of months, several persons were interviewed without results.

Mr. Josh Peters from Seneca Resources Company, the former owner of the land, saw our post on the WMU-2F Facebook page. Mr. Peters convinced his employer, Seneca Resources Company, to replace the sign.

A new sign, exactly like the original sign, was commissioned by Seneca Resources and produced by Grezak Signs of Brookville, PA.

On April 14, 2022, the new sign was placed by members, Barbara and Kaz Kazmarek and Roy Towner. 

The High HareMan on behalf of all the members wishes to thank Seneca Resources Company, Josh Peters, Grezak Signs, and especially faithful members Barbara Kazmarek, Kaz Kazmarek, and Roy Towner.

The sign looks great in its rightful place.

SNOWSHOE HARE HUNTER SHARES HIS STORY

NICK SHARES HIS STORY.

From the Adirondack Mountains of New York State

Late November 2021

On Location

This video can be viewed on YouTube.