THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY TAKE PRIDE IN BEING ABLE TO PLAY A SMALL PART IN THE PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITIES OF

CAMO CARES.

Thank you to the board, staff, and all the volunteers who make it happen.

BIG WOODS HARE HUNTER DOWNS BIG BUCK!

From Left to right; Member Jackson Baker, Member Roy Towner, Member and Jackson's grandfather, Mark Baker, Jackson's father, Clint Baker, and Dan.

Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny member Jackson Baker and Dad Clint Baker teamed up to harvest twin bucks on the final day of the 2022 Pennsylvania Rifle Season.

Jackson and his father, Clint, downed 8-point bucks along the Clarion River in Clarion County, PA.

Congratulations to Jackson and Clint on their success from all the members of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny. 

MEMBER OF THE

Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny

KILLS BIG BUCK!

Nick and buck.

Nick downed his biggest buck on the last day of the Pennsylvania rifle season.

"Finally got it done."

 

The following article appeared in the December 2022 issue of

The Rabbit Hunter magazine.

The article 

is being presented here with bonus pictures for the reading pleasure of the fine members of the

Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny

and for the friends and followers of the Loyal Order with the authority of the author.

The author hopes you enjoy and thanks for reading.

 

Conservation on the Allegheny.

IN THE BEGINNING

writing and photography by

Joe Ewing

High HareMan

Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny

The writer with hare hound, Crain's H.H. Little Toby Creek Toby, snowshoe hare, Thompson Contender®, and brand-new Maine Guide Snowshoes® back in 2002.

 It’s been 20 years since it all began. Five members of the newly formed Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny ventured into the central mountains of Maine. Charter members of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny on their maiden adventure (2002) to the great state of Maine were Ron Hutchins, Joe Ewing Sr., Andy Hoover, Joe Ewing Jr., and the late Jim Hanson. Then there were five; today, there are thirty.

The five Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny charter members from L to R are Ron Hutchens, Joe Ewing Sr., Andy Hoover, Joe Ewing Jr., and Jim Hanson.

The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny have spent thousands of hours chasing the elusive varying hare in the heart of Maine since then. We’ve worn out many fine hounds. I shall seize the opportunity to say, “WE JUST CAN’T GET ENOUGH!” Such was the case as we headed up to Maine way back in March of 2002 for a week of snowshoe hare hunting in the central mountains of Maine with Registered Master Maine Guide Bob Howe. We’ve been going back every year since, most years twice. We’ll be going again this year.

 

Andy's red beagles, Red (L) and Bailey, after a wild chase in the mountains of Maine. (Circa 2002)

Pine Grove Lodge in winter. Photo compliment of the Pine Grove Lodge.

 

Located in the mountains of western Maine, one mile from Wyman Lake on the Kennebec River, you will find the Pine Grove Lodge. The PGL has always been ready to provide the hunting experience of a lifetime. Our hosts have been Andrea and Bob Howe for all these years.

Moose. (Complements Pine Grove Lodge)

 

The very first time we visited the Pine Grove Lodge, and shortly after we arrived, as if on cue, a moose ventured forth across the front yard.  Andrea and Bob suffered plenty of frivolous ribbing over how they knew exactly when to release the moose from the barn.

 

Master Maine Guide, Bob Howe, loads the snowmobiles for the long cold trip back to the lodge while the late Jim Hanson (L) and Joe, Jr. show off their trophy snowshoe hare.

We would arrive on Sunday evening, just in time for supper. The food is continuously five-star caliber. The Pine Grove Lodge offers rooms, cabins, and a bunkhouse and can accommodate up to thirty-two people. Their brochure indicates they offer a family-style atmosphere, and their home is our home during our stay. They make us feel welcome and very comfortable. Even our beagles are pampered with heated quarters in an indoor kennel, which includes maid service.

Hunters and dog trainers in Maine are required by state law to hold a license. The license fee is up to a reasonable $77.00. You’ll need a hunter safety certificate or an old license. A three-day small game permit is available. Snowshoe hare season runs from October 1 to March 31, with a bag limit of four hare a day. There is no Sunday hunting in Maine. Hunter orange is not required except when hunting during the big game seasons. Novice hunters would be wise to hire the services of a Registered Maine Guide, especially in winter. The adventures of white rabbit hunting are provided by very few experienced guides and outfitting businesses.

The heated kennels at the Pine Grove Lodge.

 

Four-foot-long ski pole buried to the handle.

Each morning, after a grand breakfast, all equipment, including snowmobiles and sleds, guns, and dogs, are loaded, and we are ready to roll.  Besides quality hare hounds, Bob fed, back in 2002, walker and plot bear and bobcat hounds.  We always have the choice to hunt with his beagles, our hounds, or both together; however, we enjoy testing our hounds on the Central Maine hare.  Some years, at the end of the week, when our beagles are pretty much worn out, we’ll end up supplementing the pack with some of his high-quality hare hounds.

Guides Steve Howe (L) and Heath Howe prepare for the trip to hare cover.

That first year we visited Maine, the trails were icy, and the snow was hard-packed. Three to four feet of hard-crusted snow filled the woods. The crust was so hard Joe Jr. hunted all week without the aid of snowshoes, but some of us “bigger” guys had to resort to using them.

Our dogs would prove to have surprisingly tough feet and pads. None of them went down because of sore or bleeding pads. The hounds have to be tough in this type of terrain and conditions. Our beagles did a good job of tracking on almost glare ice.

The snowmobiles took us off the beaten trail and into the bush several miles with the dogs on sleds close behind. At noon, hot meals were served, and every day was different. Some of us were too busy hunting to eat lunch. That was until the word got out about the first-rate hot lunch. Soon no one was late for lunch, and by Friday, Bob would have everyone spoiled.

Guide Steve Howe prepares a hot lunch.

I remember that the weather was extremely cold in the mornings and sometimes breezy with bright sun and bluebird skies on most afternoons. We were hoping for fresh tracking snow, which unfortunately never came. Always putting forth a theory, I speculated it took the beagles half a day to straighten out the icy conditions.

Andy relaxing with a coffee in the warm afternoon sun of March.

 

The author (L) and his son, Joe, Jr., prepare for the cold ride to the lodge.

Maine was the capital for hare in the United States back then and still is today. It is difficult to believe that anywhere else could have more hare. Bob took us to several mountain locations that had never been hunted. Rabbits (hare) were running everywhere. Our hounds packed well, worked well in the checks, and never gave up on a loss until they arrived in Maine. In Maine, there are so many rabbits the hounds seldom packed. We would cast five hounds and have four or five different chases going at the same time. When they lost the line, they immediately found another hare. That is the way it went all day and every day. With tongue in cheek, we claimed we never shot a side-jumper or a stray, but there were so many hare, how could you tell? There was never a dull moment.

The mountains of central Maine.

 

Surprisingly few of the hare chased ran big or out of hearing. The majority stayed within the pine plantation or cedar swamp. If they decided not to, Bob had equipped the hounds with telemetry tracking collars. We all use Garmin® or some other brand GPS tracking collars today, which everyone knows are much better than those old tracking collars.

All members enjoyed their fair share of shooting opportunities. Had we killed every rabbit we saw, we would have had a wagonload of hare by the end of the week. Hutch shot a double with his .410 Thompson Contender, a great feat, and while he was cleaning those two, the hounds chased another hare within five feet of him. I remember yelling, “Hutch, here he comes! He’s gonna run between your legs.”

Hutch simultaneously yelled, “Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot!” We enjoyed a great time in the mountains we soon christened “Hutch’s Mountain.”

Andy successfully used his .410 Thompson Contender every day.  I deployed mine toward the end of the week. With my ten-inch barreled Contender, I received credit for downing a hare at fifty yards. Witnesses claim it was the finest shot they ever observed. I contend what they saw was not the way it was in reality. The tale, which has become legendary, comes up every time we visit the Pine Grove Lodge, with me attempting to recount the factual story.

Bob and Andrea left no stone unturned in making our hare-hunting experience the best. Nothing was overlooked, from the great dining and accommodations of the Pine Grove Lodge to the smallest details of the hunt. The newly formed Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny enjoyed a great week, shot all the snowshoe hares we wanted, and took five weary beagles home.

That was way back in 2002. Members have been visiting Maine every year since. We quickly learned five hounds for a week of hunting hare was not enough dog power for Maine. I’m not completely convinced the habitat in this part of Maine harbors as many snowshoe hare today as it did back then, but it doesn’t matter. You can drop your tailgate, release the hounds almost anywhere and get a chase going. Maine is one great place that definitely should be on your bucket list.

Author (L) with snowshoe hare and Blackie with Bob Howe. (Circa 2002)

 Bob and Andrea Howe remain the proprietors of the Pine Grove Lodge and continue their outstanding accommodations and guide service. Bob doesn’t feed those walkers and plots these days, concentrating on snowshoe hare hounds. He continues to guide hunters for other game animals and doesn’t forget the fishing season.

 

World-famous Maine Guide Snowshoes.

 

The Howes still manufacture and sell Maine Guide Snowshoes®. World-famous Maine Guide Snowshoes® features a unique design and modern materials. Maine Guide Snowshoes & Furniture Company® make the finest snowshoes and furniture found anywhere. All proceeds from their snowshoe company go to the Pine Grove Program, a charitable foundation, which funds hunting, sporting, and other events for disabled war veterans, police, and firefighters. See www.pinegroveprogram.com for more information and how you can help and/or benefit.

Jim, Dave, Doc, and the many friends we met in our travels have passed on to that great snowshoe hare hunting grounds.  My hounds Toby and Blackie, along with Andy’s beagles Red and Bailey and other great beagles, are great memories. Hutch is doing great, and Joe, Jr. is retired from the Air Force after faithfully serving our country in the United States Air Force for 24 years, having served worldwide. He will be accompanying me again this year. Possibly for the last time.

You are right if you think I love Maine and the Pine Grove Lodge. You're right if you think I’m a spokesman for Maine and the PGL; unfortunately for me, not a paid spokesperson.

You're missing out if you’ve never hunted the Central Mountains of Maine and never tested your beagles on snowshoe hare. If you’ve never experienced the thrill of the chase with your hounds in the Great North Woods, you’re missing the excitement of a lifetime. If you’ve never experienced the song of your hounds as their sweet music reverberates off the mountainsides and valleys of Maine, you’re missing something special.  When you release your beagles in the Central Mountains of Maine, you’ll be making memories that will endure for a lifetime.

 

One bad March at the Pine Grove Lodge.

Master Maine Guide Bob Howe declares dinner is served.

The late Jim Hanson (L) shows off a trophy Maine hare atop a mountain in central Maine.

Jim loved the Pine Grove Lodge. 

On a beautiful and warm March afternoon, this hunter shed his gear.

T. Edward Nickens, Editor at large for Field & Stream Magazine, with Maine snowshoe Hare. circa 2013.

In 2011 these three hunters hunted for the elusive Maine snowshoe hare. From L to R, Wayne Wilson, Joe Ewing, and Andy Hoover.

In 2013, Andrew Heatherington shot some great Field & Stream Magazine photographs.

Six members ventured off to Maine in 2010. From L to R, Jim Kaz Kazmarek, the late Jim Hanson, Ray Wolford, Joe Ewing, Wayne Wilson, and Andy Hoover.

 MEMBERS OF THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY
HARVEST BIG BUCK

(L-R) Mark Baker, Roy Towner, L. T. Corso

Dec 2--10:00. Mark and LT shot at exactly the same time. Mark won the flip to tag it. Great morning. Great Big Woods trophy.

CONGRATULATIONS BOYS!