GAME & FURBEARER HARVESTS FROM THE PGC

TO: All Members of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny

FROM: The High HareMan of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny

SUBJECT: Complete Report 2016-17 "SMALL GAME & FURBEARER HARVESTS"

The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) has issued their harvest report in the recent, November 2017, issue of the PENNSYLVANIA GAME NEWS.

The GAME NEWS article starts out by saying, "Small-game harvests increased for five out of nine small game-game species in 2016-17. But for those that dropped--grouse, squirrel, woodcock and porcupine--harvests were at all-time lows."

Cutting right to the chase; the PGC is reporting for 2016 the harvest for "hare" was, get this, "2,015" hare harvested, up from 738 in 2015 and 601 in 2014. I, personally, found it hard to swallow the 2014 number of "601" and questioned how that number was derived.

The reported number of hunters hunting hare was fairly consistent with "3,014" in 2016, 3,434 in 2015. In 2014 a whopping 4,796 hare hunters took only 601 hare. In 2013 the number of hare hunters was back down to a more reasonable "2,410" and these hunters took 620 hare, supposedly. The 2016 number is a pretty good hunter to kill ratio or close to 0.668 hares for every hare hunter. In Pennsylvania?

The GAME NEWS article goes on to explain how many surveys were sent and how many returned. The article does not explain how the process came up with these numbers.

"In providing reliable long-term data, these surveys inform management decisions for many species." The report contends.

"Three separate questionnaires were mailed to random samples of Pennsylvania hunters and trappers following the conclusion of the 2016-17 small-game hunting and furtaking seasons, and the response rate was higher than 50 percent for each." I, personally, have never received a "Game-Take Survey" and I don't know anyone who has received and returned a survey.

"Game-Take questionnaires were mailed to 18,001 license buyers, [or 0.024% of all hunters] and 9,520 were completed and returned [ 0.0126%]. Furtaker questionnaires were sent to 8,000 and returned by 4,478 individuals. And 1,328 of 2,500 Mentored Youth Hunter questionnaires were returned.

More than 40 percent of respondents completed surveys online.

Full reports of Game-Take and Furtaker surveys, including results back to 1983, are available at www.pgc.pa.gov. Click on Information & Resources, then Media & Reports & Surveys, then find the reports under Annual Wildlife Management Reports.

In summary, the 2016-17 surveys show the number of hunters decreased bor eight of nine small-game species. Harvest per 100 hunter-days increased for eight of nine species."

Again, the report shows for 2016-17, 3014 hunters took 2,015 hare.

The Game-Take Survey shows 209,488 rabbits were harvested in 2016 by 62,378 rabbit hunters.

THE PASSING OF THE TORCH

The late Nellie in her prime.

TO: All members of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny, lovers of the beagle breed and friends of the great outdoors.

FROM: The High HareMan

It is with sadness and a heavy heart we relay the news of the passing of a great hare hound, Andy's Nellie. Nellie passed away in her sleep on October 9, 2017.

In the words of Brenda Hoover, "we had to say “goodbye” to Nell yesterday morning.  She stopped eating and wagging her tail several days ago; and, she could just barely stand or move around.  The vet said that she was getting more fluid in her lungs and heart, also.  We knew, for some time, that this day was coming.  As you know, that doesn’t make it any easier. 

Nell sure was a trooper, though, this past year, or so, as her health rapidly declined.  Every time we thought about having her put to sleep, she would seem to improve a little.  I told Andy that she was hanging in there until we got the new puppy, so she could be sure a new team was in place.  And, that she did.  I’m sure she slept away willingly and in peace.  I hope she’s a puppy again, chasing rabbits with Molly and the rest of the pack on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge."

In 2015 it was my privilege and honor as the High HareMan to announce the naming of Nellie (Crain’s HH Little Toby Creek Toby x Crain’s HH Little Toby Creek Sandstone Sandy, breeder J. Ewing) to the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny Hare Hound Hall of Fame. Nellie will be forever remembered as the first hound to be enshrined into the Big Woods Hare Hunters Hall of Fame.

Andy’s Nellie led hundreds of runs across the Allegheny.  Hunting with Nellie was pure pleasure.  A smile comes over my face as I recall the many great runs over the years.  I truly believe I will never see a hound of this caliber again in my lifetime.

Nellie won no trophies or ribbons but she may have been, she was one of the best hounds to ever chase a hare on the Allegheny High Plateau.  What will live on in my memory will be the many endless chases across the Allegheny Plateau and the Western Mountains of Maine. May the sweet hound music echo across the Allegheny forever.

Nellie at full cry during a hare chase on the Allegheny High Plateau.

Nellie, still a puppy, at Little Toby Creek Kennel, 2004.

Nellie with bandaged ear, May 2009.

Nellie with duck tape boot.

Nellie running with bandaged foot.

Nellie hunting the Great North Woods of Maine.

Nellie (bottom) and Molly hunting the deep snows of the Allegheny Plateau.

Nellie and litter mates with their mother shortly after being whelped November 2004.

Nellie and her litter mates November 2004.

Additional: An email from a friend.

Brenda M. Hoover	Oct 12 (3 days ago)

Thanks, Brenda and Joe, for your comforting words of sympathy and for your praise of Nell.

We are confident that Teagan will teach Emma, as well as Nell taught her.

Even though part of one era closes sadly, it is exciting to anticipate the next generation

and envision the “reign” of Emma and Sidney!

We hope for healthy hounds and safe chases!

Brenda and Andy

Wayne Wilson commented on Facebook:  Nellie was an all star, so sad to hear she is gone.

But will not be forgotten for those of us who was fortunate to hunt with her. Sorry Andy

Brenda M. Hoover

Brenda M. Hoover

Oct 12 (3 days ago)

TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

FROM: the High HareMan

SUBJECT: Sidney Crosby is three (3) months old.
Andy names puppy; "Emma".

Sidney is growing leaps and bounds. He seems to know his name and comes when called. He will even sometimes go into his pen when the command, "pen" is given.

SIDNEY CROSBY IS 12 WEEKS OLD TODAY.

James Creek Sidney Crosby at 12 weeks old.
JAMES CREEK'S SIDNEY CROSBY 

IS 12 WEEKS OLD TODAY.

SIDNEY LOVES PLAYING WITH HIS JUG.

SIDNEY SURE HAS SOME BIG FEET.

IN MEMORY OF MATT CURRY.

In Memory of Matt Curry cover, October 2017, Volume 32, No. 2.

IN MEMORY OF

MATT CURRY

The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny take pride in announcing the use of Big Woods Hare Hunter photography on the cover of THE RABBIT HUNTER magazine to honor the memory of legendary author, hare hunter and outdoorsman Matt Curry.

The article and pictures are reprinted here for your reading enjoyment.

Matt's entire obituary, the Big Woods Hare Hunter story and more pictures can be found on an older post on this blog. Please comment as you desire.

Matt, 2002. May a picture be worth a thousand words.

It is with heavy heart the members of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny mourn the passing of a true friend of the illusive snowshoe hare, Matt Curry.

Matt was a true friend of many, an inspiration to this writer and a fellow lover of the great outdoors.  His writings will be forever missed but it is our hope his stories will live on eternally.

It was one of the greatest honors of this writer’s life to have met, corresponded with and been considered a friend of Matts.

To his family, extended family, many friends and all those who enjoyed his stories and artwork, we extend our heartfelt condolences for your loss.

Joe Ewing,

Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny

Our first impression of the famous Matt Curry tent camp in the heart of Maine's North Woods.

Matt meets us at tent camp door during our first visit meeting in October of 2002.

Matt watches over his beloved tent camp during visit in 2002.

Matt Curry's much-loved tent camp in the heart of the Maine North Woods.

Matt tells us like it was.

Matt at works in tent's kitchen-2002.