ADIRONDACK ADVENTURE 2020

This article is reprinted here from the February issue of

The Rabbit Hunter

magazine

for the reading pleasure of members of The Loyal Order of The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny.

© Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved.

 Used with permission of  David Ferguson Design

Tel: 518-534-9491 adirondackpatch@gmail.com

Conservation of the snowshoe hare.

THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS VIDEO CONTENT.

Watch for it.

The video verifies the story. 

ADIRONDACK  ADVENTURE 2020

writing and photography

by

Joe Ewing

High HareMan

Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny

 

Adirondack snowshoe hare hunters include from left to right, back to front: Mark Baker Cranberry, PA, Joe Ewing, Roy Towner, Matt Baker, Nick Ochs Lucinda, PA, And “LT” Corso Knox, PA.

I caught a fleeting glimpse of movement on the bridge. The hounds had pushed the snowshoe hare out of the prime fir cover toward the traveled road. As a precaution, I hustled to the lightly traveled dirt thoroughfare. As I arrived, I caught that momentary glimpse. It couldn’t have been the hare. I’ve seen many nasty tricks pulled by some clever hare but never would I believe one would use a bridge to make his escape.

The beagles were stymied when they came to the dirt road. The traveled road slowed the chase significantly. As I stood on the threshold of the bridge, mixed emotions beset me. Did I want the beagles to cross the bridge? How could I even stop them? Did I want to stop them? Would the beagles run the bridge or swim the moderately wide creek? What about the current? Was it too swift? Did I want the beagles and me on the far shore while the hunting party was on the near side?

My hunting cohorts are five veteran snowshoe hare hunters and seven beagles from Western Pennsylvania. For the second consecutive year I’m hunting the Adirondack Mountains of New York State as a guest of the Baker/Towner party. These extreme adventurers successfully hunt everything from Colorado elk to Missouri ducks to Pennsylvania cottontails and every species in between. These gentlemen are all about the outdoors. There is never a dull moment. Possibly my four beagles are the real guests. It’s my good fortune, honor and privilege just to be tagging along.

I didn’t wait long for answers to my questions. Hollie picked up the scent and across the bridge the pack raced. Now I knew for sure. The beagles confirmed it. The hare used the bridge to make its getaway. From the hare’s vantage point, the road and bridge undoubtedly looked the same. It was compelled to use every method of escape and evasion in its arsenal to impede its pursuers. The pack of seven unrelenting beagles stayed on the trail of the snowshoe hare. Matt and I linked up on the “wrong side” of the bridge. Hikers and their dogs interrupted the chase causing it to end abruptly. Coerced, the pack followed us back across the bridge. Over the next two days all my questions would be answered.

Here is the video.

Click on square to make full screen.

Astonishingly, the next day the plot would repeat itself at the very same spot. It was déjà vu only this time I actually witnessed the hare running the bridge. Instantaneously and without hesitation I put the hounds on the track. Two beagles, Bo and Psycho Sid, downstream when the chase commenced in all its energized glory, chose to swim the chilly looking creek. Nick’s beagle, Bo, was swimming hard fighting the current with all his might as he slowly drifted down stream. As I watched it occurred to me, “Battling” Bo was wearing my tracking collar. In my excitement and angst, I yelled at the top of my lungs, “Swim Bo swim!” Undaunted, Bo and Sid safely made it to the far shore and linked up with the chase. The scene will stay ingrained in my memory forever.

Over the next I don’t know how long; three hunters would join me on the far shore. The snowshoe hare would take the beagles back and forth across the road several times. “LT” would venture to the stream bank and unfortunately miss his shot. Finally, with all four of us as witnesses, the hare, sticking to the stream bank, raced back across the bridge. Both Matt and I captured video evidence. We debated whether this hare should be allowed to live. Roy, deep in the fir thicket, made the decision by downing the snowshoe hare dressed in her late fall brown and white beauty.

Roy and Sammie (Wilson’s Sable Samantha) check out the Adirondack snowshoe hare.

Our not-so-primitive basecamp was located on First Lake of the Fulton Chain Lakes just off NY Route 28 near the tourist town of Inlet. The Fulton Chain of Lakes consists of eight lakes entertaining many tourists during the summer season.

Our not-so-primitive base camp near Inlet, NY.

It was from here we ventured forth into the Adirondack Wilderness.

The Adirondack Mountains of New York is a hunter’s paradise. One of the 50 species inhabiting the Adirondacks is the snowshoe hare or the varying hare. It was this elusive and magnificent animal we were hunting. New York’s small game season, unlike Pennsylvania’s, remains open during the big game seasons. Varying hare season in this part of New York runs from October 1^st through the 3rd Sunday in March giving beaglers a tremendous opportunity to practice their sport. Seasons vary according to “wild life management unit”.  Also, unlike PA, small game hunting is legal on Sundays. A NY nonresident license is $100. Outfitters and guides are readily available.

Map compliments wikipedia

Adirondack Park highlighted.

The Adirondack Park contains 6 million acres which includes wild forests, wilderness and primitive areas. The region abounds with unspoiled waterways, ancient forests and towering mountains. The Park’s waterways are extensive and natural featuring 3,000 lakes and ponds and 30,000 miles of rivers and streams.

In the afternoon of that first day, the hounds bounced a snowshoe hare out of its bed. With the singing pack of beagles in hot pursuit the hare raced up the valley a half- mile, raced back down through the fir thicket and across the road. The hare led the pack up the opposite mountain until the Garmin® Alpha® lost track of the hounds at the three-quarter-mile mark. The Alpha’s topo-map showed them crossing the summit at an elevation of 1900 feet and breaking over the ridge before losing the hounds. It had to be a buck. Alpha contact with the hounds was lost for what seemed like hours to the anxious beaglers.

As suddenly as the Alpha lost the hounds, they began showing up at that same three-quarter-mile mark. Who knows how far they had gone while off the grid? Were they on their way back? Minutes later the faint and welcoming sound of bawling beagles could be heard. The beagles soon came thundering through without a hunter sighting the elusive hare.  The hare evaded the hunters by tiptoeing the stream bank and sneaking under the bridge. The hare continued the race through the fir thicket, short circled, ran past the parked trucks, crossed the road and proceeded back up the mountain. This old hare completed the trip two times if not three, I lost count. This hare earned the title, “Killer Hare” because it was out to kill the poor beagles by running them to death. The Killer Hare took the beagles for at least six miles before curfew was called and hounds intercepted and corralled.

Photo courtesy Matt Baker

The Adirondack Wilderness hunting party with the author’s trophy snowshoe hare. Hunters from back to front, left to right include: Mark Baker, Joe Ewing, Roy Towner and Matt Baker. LT is behind the camera and Nick is AWOL. Beagles include: Mo, Poco, Bo, Sid, Music and Hollie. Eleven-year-old Sammie was in the box.

The Killer Hare made chumps of the hunting party and hoodwinked us at every turn while the beagles kept up their undaunted pursuit. The hare tried to run the beagles to death. We were obsessed and duty-bound to go after him the next day. Even I would strap a .410-gauge pump shotgun across my back.

Early the next morning Matt and Nick led the pack of beagles into the dense jungle-like cover in pursuit of the Killer Hare. The remainder of the party lined out on a well-used trail. Knowing the Killer Hare would race for the road and slip under the bridge I held back. I was not above ambushing this deadly killer under the bridge.

It wasn’t long before the pack of beagles were racing up the valley at full cry. The hare sprinted out 400 yards, turned and started back. I was ready. I knew he would head for the road but at 200 yards it turned and ran back up the valley with the hounds never letting up. It completed short circle after relatively small circle compared to the Killer Hare. This was not the Killer Hare. This hare was running more like a doe. As I inched my way up the trail a shot rang out but no account of a kill was reported. I came upon Roy and he confirmed LT had missed. I removed the .410 strapped across my back, loaded three three-inch shells packed with six shot and stood ready. The hounds were coming.

Forty yards out the beagles came booming across the ridge and continued down the valley. But wait, movement, the hare had circled back. A quick look at the white hare, but just a glimpse. I needed a better look. I believed he stopped under a small pine tree but could I really see it? For a fleeting second, I thought about taking a random shot at the pine tree. The hounds passed by without incident.

I elected to move up the trail past Mark and LT. Probably an unscrupulous move on my part as I reflect back. I’ll apologize sometime. The hounds were pushing the hare in my direction. Suddenly, the hare appeared running straight at me, my worst shot. I pulled the .410 to my shoulder, flipped off the safety and squeezed. The hare was unfazed. I pumped another round into the chamber and pulled. Unfazed still, the hare continued its advance toward heavier cover. One round left, I took aim and pressed. I lost track of the hare in the dense cover. The beagles were close. I wanted to get to the hare first whether he was dead or wounded.

The hounds and I arrived about the same time. Instantly, Hollie found the hare but she refused to give it up. Up the trail she pranced in all her glory. Eventually and reluctantly, she surrendered the dead hare over to Roy. What an outstanding chase it had been. The beagles did an awesome job. Unfortunately, and much to my chagrin it wasn’t the Killer Hare.

The beagles, gaining more experience with every chase, did an outstanding job far above the call of duty. The hard work and training the beagles put in paid off far beyond what could be expected. We enjoyed four days of unsurpassed action-packed wilderness snowshoe hare hunting. A video of the exciting bridge hare can be seen on Facebook/BigWoodsHareHunters or on YouTube.

Matt looks over Mark's kill. The first kill of the hunt.

Nick shows off his trophy hare.

Nick (L) and Mark compare trophy.

Roy's trophy hare with the shotgun he used.

Mark's second trophy hare which he skinned to make glove liners.

LT (L) and Mark skinning the snowshoe hare.

Joe (L) and Sid.

(L-R) Roy, Mark, Joe & Lt.

The High HareMan with super hounds Music, Hollie and Sid.

 

 

 

 

 

FROM THE WORLD HEADQUARTERS OF

THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

A story about hunting the elusive and wild snowshoe hares of Maine.

THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE

writing

by

Joe Ewing

High HareMan

Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny

with photography

by

Brenda and Joe Ewing

 

Master snowshoe hare hunter, Andy Hoover, with his beagles, Little Toby Creek Teagan and James Creek Beagles Emma (R).

Excited beagle voices are echoing from mountainside to mountainside in this paradise of snowshoe hare hunting country. I’m hunting snowshoe hare in the center of the snowshoe hunting universe. If there’s any place better than the central mountains of Maine for hunting snowshoe hare, I’d like to try it out. Maine ranks right up there when it comes to game species open to hunting. Bear, big bucks and ruffed grouse to name just a few. Hundreds of outfitters and guides are available for any species all across the state.

Six hounds are hot on the trail of an elusive Maine snowshoe hare. If there is anything sweeter than the music generated by six excited hounds hot on the track, I haven’t heard it yet, unless, it’s seven hounds. Each hound can be readily identified by their individual bawls, chops, howls and screams. I once read a statement on the pages of THE RABBIT HUNTER magazine which frequents my meager brain from time to time and it went something like this, “a real rabbit hunter can name every beagle he’s ever owned by the sound of its voice, but he can’t remember his grandchildren’s names”.  I’m proud to say I’ve tried hard over the years to remember every beagle’s voice.  

This beautiful October day started right off the tailgate with some intermittent beagle cold-trailing signaling there was definitely hare in the area. Every day is beautiful when beagling and hare hunting is involved. It didn’t take long for little Sammie to find a hot scent and the chase was on with the other five beagles harking in without hesitation. When Sammie speaks, all the hounds listen. The blistering pace is now led by three-year-old James Creek Beagles Emma and her littermate, James Creek Beagles Sidney Crosby, recently and affectionately christened, “Psycho Sid”. Other members of the fast-moving beagle pack include Little Toby Creek Teagan, Music and Hollie.

The forest floor is damp from the mist hanging in the clean mountain air. The clouds are low with warm October temperatures making the scenting conditions better than ideal I suppose. We are standing on a wide skidder trail or is it a biomass cutting? This strip is bordered on each side by a regenerating forest of maple, beech and birch. This is excellent autumn hare cover, however, when this forest is buried under a four-foot snowpack with curtailed wind blowing, it will take on an entirely different look. Hare cover will be nonexistent. When winter arrives, and it will with a vengeance, the snowshoe hare will be forced to find a new home. The snowshoe hare will take cover in the planted evergreen plantations or the thick naturally growing fir jungles.

The beagles are making a wide circle. The hare is taking the beagles out some 400-yards. By the sound of things, the beagles have made their turn and are headed back. The beagle voices are getting louder and louder as they come closer and closer. When the hounds reach 200-yards I click on my Cannon®. I’m watching intently when suddenly I glimpse movement. This snowshoe hare is out for a leisurely morning jaunt in front of the hounds. The hare, which doesn’t seem to have a care in the world, is headed right for Brenda who doesn’t twitch a muscle. As the hare comes within ten feet, it spots her and instantly kicks into high gear immediately accelerating into overdrive. It’s plausible Brenda is the first human this hare has ever set its eyes on, yet, it grasped the situation instantaneously and knew Brenda didn’t belong in his world. I’ve seldom seen any animal pickup speed so abruptly. The beagles are not far behind and soon go blowing by. This is my story and I’m sticking to it since I have video evidence which I can share by going to: https://www.facebook.com/BigWoodsHareHunters or by visiting the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny blog at: https://bigwoodsharehuntersoftheallegheny.blogspot.com/. The day continues with the beagles chasing this same hare for hours or with several other chases, a miss by me and with Andy downing an October Maine hare.

Brenda’s reaction as the hounds race by.

 Not far from this spot is hare cover we avoid both fall and winter. The fir is so profuse the hunter will find the cover virtually impenetrable. If he manages to force his way through with sheer brute strength and determination, he will not be able see his feet or the ground making it even more perilous. There isn’t anything much worse than not knowing when and where your next step may land. In winter the snow cannot reach the ground and the snow builds up on top of the cover. The hare and the beagles run under the snowpack making it hopeless to get a glimpse of either. The four-foot snowpack muffles and insulates the beagle voices making it sound like they are miles away when in reality they are right under foot. The snowpack insulates satellite and radio signals preventing the dog tracking equipment from working effectively, however, this is only the half of it.

 

The last two lines hit home and made us realize we were not the only ones with GPS problems.

 

The dog tracking equipment works erratically in this area for some mysterious reason. The devices work unpredictably showing dogs miles away when they are actually laying at our feet. All the dog-collars vanished from the screen on one of the newest devices which I will not mention by name, Garmin® Alfa-100®. We jokingly contend the area is haunted by some unknown shadowy force. This year we actually stopped to read one of the many road-side signs and right there in plain English were the words, “NOTICE: GPS UNRELIABLE IN THIS AREA. DO NOT USE GPS FOR NAVIGATION.”

 

Even though Maine’s nickname is the “pine tree state” the most common tree found in Maine is maple/beech/birch which represents over 41 percent of Maine’s forests. The next most common forest type is spruce/fir, then aspen/birch and finally white/red/jack pine. In terms of volume, red spruce is the most common tree in Maine followed by red maple and eastern white pine. One of the most common trees found in central Maine is the Abies balsamea, better known as the Balsam fir. Balsam firs grow in mixed woods in southern and central Maine. The Balsam fir is a competitor in almost every forest setting in the state. It grows so well it’s useful for many products. Fir is a valuable product being used for dimensional lumber, paper products and winter cover for snowshoe hare. The code “SPF” stamped on your two-by-four stands for spruce-pine-fir, meaning it could be any one of the three. One theory to why Balsam fir is so common is; seed eating animals do not like the taste of the seeds allowing more to lay on the ground and germinate.

 

Often times the fir cover is so thick and lush a human cannot force his way through.

 

Northern white cedar is regularly found in Central Maine. It’s an important factor to the environments it inhabits. Cedar, pronounced “seedah”, often grow in thick groves and provides prime coverage from snowfall for snowshoe hare. The vitamin rich twigs, shoots, and leaves are an important source of food for snowshoe hare during long winter months.

 

High above the Kennebec River and Wyman Lake and not far from the Appalachian Trail the fir and cedar grow thick and lush. An early morning frost covered the ground hampering scenting conditions until the temperature advanced a degree or two. It didn’t take long until the chase was on and streaking straight away for 700 yards where the hare tried a tactical evasive move. The hare’s tactics slowed the pack only briefly and the hounds were soon on their return flight following the same route. The hare and the beagles ventured up the mountain and back five times using almost the same route each time. It became crystal clear the hare was running from one heavy cover to another. Each trip up the mountain slowed the relentless beagles commensurately as the snowshoe hare placed track over track. It became apparent the hare’s tactics were making things more difficult for the beagles with each tour.

 

Near the end of the five-hour day as I tried to retrieve my beagles the expected happened. They hit a new hare which took off in the opposite direction, crossing the travelled mountain road and going more than 900 yards to, yep you guessed it, the unconquerable cover.  The fact is they were going away so fast two thoughts crossed my mind for a fleeting instant, could they be on a moose or was the Alfa® lying? At 900 yards the chase split. Now the hounds were chasing what looked and sounded like two hares. My beagles were hot on the tail of the first hare and Andy’s Teagan was running the second. Or, vice versa, who could know?

 

Psycho Sid, Music and Hollie soon made the turn and were headed in my direction. I decided to post myself on the dirt road and cut the beagles off as they crossed to end the hunt. The hounds were coming closer and closer with no hare crossing. Did I turn the hare? Did I miss seeing the hare? The pack was on top of me when suddenly the hare virtually flew across the road hitting the road only once. The beagles were crossing and they were going so fast I had no chance of catching even one. The best laid plans. The snowshoe hare was only ten-seconds in front of the hounds. I eventually retrieved my hounds and Andy corralled Teagan. Another good day in the Western Mountains of Maine.

 

Every day was a good day in the mountains of west central Maine. We chased snowshoe hare every place we stopped. Psycho Sid ran everyday showing no signs of fatigue, wear or tear. Sid screams to get in the box when it’s time to go, screams to get out of the box and screams on snowshoe hare. The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny enjoyed a great week in the western mountains of Maine. The beagles enjoyed the chase and all did a fine job and need to be commended.

 

This snowshoe hare crossed the swamp 3 times in the same place.

 

The Pine Grove Lodge needs to be praised as they served up their usual great service making our stay more than comfortable. I’m reluctant to use the words “world class” or “Orvis” but the amenities are better than first rate. This was our 19th-consecutive fall for visiting the Pine Grove Lodge. I’m already looking forward to my next visit to the central mountains of Maine, the center of the snowshoe hare hunting universe.

Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny at the supper table. From left to right, High HareMan Joe Ewing, Chief Advisor to the High HareMan Brenda Ewing and Master Hare Hunter Andy Hoover.

Proprietor of the Pine Grove Lodge, Master Maine Guide, Bob Howe.

 

  

 

 

     

GOING ON ASSIGNMENT December 2020 Issue THE RABBIT HUNTER magazine

 The following article was published in the

December 2020 issue of 

THE RABBIT HUNTER

magazine.

The article "On Assignment"

appears here for the reading pleasure

of the members

of the

Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny.

THE RABBIT HUNTER  December 2020

 

From the world headquarters of the 

Healthy forests, abundant wildlife, conservation values

  

GOING ON ASSIGNMENT

 

Written and photographed

By

Joe Ewing

High HareMan

Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny

 

 

 Master hare hunter, Andy Hoover, with the late Molly during an October hunt in Maine.

 

I, along with other members of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny, will be going on assignment for THE RABBIT HUNTER to what I’ve often referred to as the Mecca of hare hunting. I’ll be shooting, no pun intended, for an exclusive adventure to be published on these very pages. I’ll be searching the high country from Bingham to Jackman. The hunt never ends.

If you’ve never been to snowshoe hare country and never tested your beagles on snowshoe hare, you are missing out just assuredly as you’re reading this. If you have never experienced the thrill of the chase with your own hounds, you’re missing the excitement of a lifetime. If you’ve never heard the song of hounds as their sweet music reverberates off the mountainsides and valleys of hare country, I dare say you’re missing something special. If your beagles are hare hounds then you know from where I’m coming.

I’ve been seriously conditioning hounds since the first of September. The summer heat kept them in the kennel for days. Even the early mornings were way too hot and especially humid. The Pennsylvania eastern cottontail rabbit season will open on the 17^th of October and the beagles will be ready. The hot weather broke in mid-September and training commenced at a healthy pace.

There are so many things to prepare and so little time it always seems. It’s that time of year again and like so many other years my hounds are ready, willing and eager for what has become a long-standing tradition. I don’t know about myself but the beagles are primed for our annual journey to the center of the snowshoe hare hunting universe. My hounds and I have made more trips to Maine than I dare to count. It has become a long-standing custom of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny to visit the Pine Grove Lodge in Pleasant Ridge, Maine. I look forward to the journey with excitement and a certain amount of anxiety.

Why anxiety you may ask? First, it’s a long trip of some 800 miles or more. The highways in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts are always busy especially during “leaf-peeping” season. I’ve learned the wrong time of year to start out is the Columbus Day weekend. Hotels are hard to find any time. It pays to make reservation well ahead of time. Most importantly: I’m transporting everything I own and cherish in the dog-truck.

I’ve seen all kinds of weather on our many pilgrimages to Maine and return. A heavy, tropical like, rain persisted through every mile in more than one year. You wouldn’t think rain would be so bad until you attempt to retrieve the beagles from their boxes at rest stops during virtual cloud bursts. On our March trips we’ve hit snow storms which rendered the highways almost impassible. Using 4-wheel-drive on the interstate highway system means you know it must be dangerous. On more than one occasion I’ve been forced to us 4-wheel-drive to climb the mountain to the Pine Gove Lodge. Actually, it’s all part of the adventure.

  

Sudden March blizzard hits I-84 in New York.

 

In July I purchased a puppy from my young friend, fellow beagler and fellow member of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny, Jaret Zimmerman. His kennel is known as Tarklin Hill Kennels and he campaigns, breeds and hunts some pretty great hare and rabbit hounds. Jaret judges field trials and is an admirable young beagler who must be commended for his dedication to the sport. I named the new puppy “Tarklin Hill Destiney” or “Dessie” and she is trying to run rabbits at scarcely 5 months old. She has a lot of puppy left in her but when her nose hits a rabbit scent, she suspects that there is more to find out here.

 

Tarklin Hill Destiney at 8 weeks.

 

I bred my young hound Music this fall and I hope to be having puppies soon. Music is out of James Creek Beagles Sidney Crosby and the late Little Toby Creek Aeropostale Aero. Sid has become known as “Psycho Sid” around the training grounds and amongst his peers. I’ve seldom witnessed a beagle with more desire. He screams to get loaded in the dog-truck, he screams to get out of the dog-truck and screams on the rabbits. Sid is definitely psycho. (Author's Note: Music didn't get bred and will not be having puppies. I have a puppy coming from James Creek Beagles. A female out of Sid's mother or sister.)   

I’ve owned some very good hare hounds over the years. I’ve enjoyed many fine hare chases in the rugged mountains of Western Maine and I’ve even shot a few. I had the distinct pleasure of hunting hare with the late, great Bob Hedberg out of his camp in Wesley, Maine. Many hare hunters over the years enjoyed the opportunity to hunt hare with Bob and I was fortunate to be one of them. Many will remember the beloved “Wesley Hilton.” I enjoyed a great time with Bob and will never forget it. I had the pleasure of hunting with T. Edward Nickens, editor-at-large for Field & Stream magazine. The story he wrote covering the hunt was far better than anything this amateur can write.

 

The Wesley Hilton, Wesley, Maine as seen a few years ago.

 

The Western Mountains of Maine are a rugged place as is the entire state of Maine. Maine, is a land of jagged, rocky and rugged coastlines. Maine’s forests are vast and the state’s whitewater rivers and thousands of lakes and ponds are inviting and picturesque. Maine is the 12^th smallest state and the 38^th most densely populated of the 50 U. S. states. Maine is renowned for its seafood; however, to the legion of hunters who invade the state every fall, Maine is known for its outstanding hunting. 

Hundreds of camps, lodges and bed and breakfasts provide housing during the states hunting seasons for deer and moose as well as for wild turkey, ruffed grouse, pheasant, waterfowl and upland game, which includes snowshoe hare. Hunters and dog trainers in Maine are required by state law to hold a hunting license. A non-resident license for small game is only $75 and you will need a hunter safety certificate or an old license. A three-day small game permit is available for $50. Hare season runs for six months, starting October 1st, with a bag limit of 4 a day and like Pennsylvania and only two other states (Massachusetts and Delaware) no hunting is allowed on Sunday. Hunter orange is not required except when hunting during the big game seasons. The big game season opens on our last day of hunting hare so we will be sure to wear hunter orange.

Located in Pleasant Ridge, Maine, the Pine Grove Lodge (PGL) offers clean, comfortable family-style accommodations in the lodge, in their private Maine cabins, their guest house or in the bunk house. The pristine mountainous setting is easily reached by macadam roadway. Along with lodging, which includes Wi-Fi and HDTV, they offer activities such as Maine fishing, fly fishing lessons, deer and bear hunting, kayaking, canoeing, wildlife tours and pontoon boat lake cruises just to name a few. The PGL offers top-quality Registered Maine Guide services as well as access to well-groomed snowmobile and ATV trails. In the dead of winter, I would definitely recommend hiring a guide. Topping the list, for me anyway, are the delicious home-cooked meals and that “home away from home” feeling which makes me want to go back year after year. Bob and Andrea have always successfully produced that family feeling.

 

Compliments of the Pine Grove Lodge

 

Many years ago, I said to my now departed hunting buddy, Old Jim, while hunting cottontails one day in Pennsylvania, “Jim, we should take a battery-powered tape player to Maine with us or maybe we could use the truck tape player.”

Jim’s reply, “Why would we do that?”

“Well, to play the national anthem,” I explained. “All great sporting events start with the playing and singing of the Star-Spangled Banner and our hunt to Maine will be one of the greatest sporting events ever.” Old Jim never said another word and we never did play our national anthem however, it did turn out to be one of the greatest sporting events ever. While hunting, two U. S. Air Force F-15s put on a show over our heads. They did their part we should have done ours.

To me, beagling ranks right up there with patriotic activities like, voting, volunteering for military duty, paying taxes and jury duty. 

  

 

 

ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN SNOWSHOE HARE HUNT November 21-24, 2020

 

Adirondack Patch Co.

© 2016 All Right Reserved

Daniel Ferguson Design

adirondackpatch@mail.com

Adirondack Patch Co.

©2021 All Rights Reserved

 Daniel Ferguson Design

adirondackpatch@mail.com

ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN HARE HUNT

November 21-24, 2020

The glorious hunters return from the Adirondacks triumphantly.

SNOWSHOE HARE HUNTERS MAKE SUCCESSFUL JOURNEY INTO THE MOUNTAINS OF THE ADIRONDACKS.

Date: November 21 thru 24, 2020

It was a great time in the Adirondacks Mountains of New York. The Fulton Chain Lakes to be more specific. The tourist towns of Inlet and Old Forge are unhurried this time of year. Few tourists, except for us, could be seen hustling about. The stores were open and it's probably a good time of year for a quiet visit. Maybe the weekends pickup but I'll never know. 

Members and invited guests of the Baker clan, of which the High HareMan was one (invited guest), and fellow members of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny hunted the majestic and highly elusive snowshoe hare in the beautiful mountains of New York State. Of course, you all know the mountains of NY as the Adirondacks.

A great time was enjoyed by all as testimonials testified. The hunters very selectively killed only 5 majestic snowshoe hares being careful not to over kill any one habitat. Several of the hare will be mounted in tribute to the awesomeness of the animal. Other hares were consumed as yet another way of paying respect, gratitude, and affection for one of our Creator's greatest gifts.

The High HareMan wishes to give credit to the awesome beagles which made it all possible. Without these highly skilled and highly trained animals, friends and members of our families all of this would not be possible. I wish to thank them all by name and owner.

A special thank you to Hare Hunter and Beagler Matt Baker's Geronimo (Mo) and Pocahontas (Poco) for outstanding skill, desire, team work and durability in the Adirondacks. The Baker family, which includes Mo and Poco, should stand very proud of their hard-working members.

Thanks to the beagle of Hare Hunter and beagler Nick Ochs, Bo, for his desire to chase the elusive snowshoe hare across and through all obstacles including the wide and swift stream Bo swam. It was incredible to witness Bo swimming while fighting the currant and a sight this reporter will never forget.

 I want make a special mention to little Sammie, veteran rabbit and hare hound for over 10 years. Wilson's Sable Samantha has chased hundreds, maybe thousands, of cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hare over her long career. Sammie's little legs have carried her thousands of miles behind some of the craftiest snowshoe hare which has ever lived. She has not only followed those hare and rabbits in Pennsylvania and on the Allegheny but also in the Western Mountains of Maine and the Adirondack Mountains of New York. And, let me not forget, the hills and flood plains of Maryland.

Sammie has made her last chase of a Maine or New York snowshoe hare. Sammie's career is coming to a conclusion. Sammie's replacements are in the wings and I know she understands her place as she is ready to help train her successors. I use the plural because I know it will take more than one beagle to fill the place she has occupied, especially in the hearts of the Ewing family. Thank you, Sammie, for your long and successful life and, please, many more years ahead. And a special "thank you" to Hare Hunter and Beagler, Wayne Wilson, for the special gift he gave me more than 10 years ago. Your gift of that little puppy has given me endless joy and love. Thank you, Wayne. I will never be able to repay you for such a priceless gift.

Thanks to Little Toby Creek Music and Hollie for their hard work, skill and determination during this hunt.

 James Creek Beagles Sidney Crosby (Psycho Sid) enjoyed a great hunt. There are no words. It’s just psycho!

 Thanks again to Matt, LT, Nick, Mark and Roy for your invitation, your help and tolerance.

 And last but not least, a special thanks to the ladies who worked so hard and presented such special sustenance for our hunt. You are surely special.

 NOW, please enjoy some of my pictures.

 If you've read this far you can look for video from the front, soon.

 

Group arrives at "camp".

Matt checks over his dad's kill. First kill of the hunt went to Mark.

Mark with first trophy of the hunt.

Nick with his beautiful trophy Adirondack snowshoe hare.

A close up of Nick's trophy.

Nick (L) and Mark show off their trophies.

Nick with his trophy and Bo the wonder dog.

Matt (L) and Nick make plans.

Roy with his trophy Adirondack snowshoe hare.

Close up of Roy's Adirondack snowshoe hare.

Roy and Sammie and trophy snowshoe hare.

Trophy Adirondack snowshoe hare.

Mark (L) with his second Adirondack trophy as Roy looks on.

LT, Mark and Roy (R) skin out Mark's hare.

Adirondack Mountain snowshoe hare hunters from L-R standing, back row: Veteran snowshoe hare hunter Mark Baker, High HareMan of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny Joe Ewing, veteran snowshoe hare hunter Roy Towner, veteran snowshoe hare hunter Matt Baker, (front) (L-R) hare hunters Nick Ochs and LT Corso.

Joe unloading "Psycho" Sid. 

Nick enjoying a quiet meal in the lodge.

The High HareMan at the end of a long day.

LT (L) and Roy fix up their plates for supper.

Joe (L) and Matt discuss the day's hunt.

At the end of the day the lodge takes on a warm glow.

Adirondack Hare Hunters of the North.

(L-R) Roy Towner, Mark Baker, Joe Ewing, LT Corso.

Matt Baker was behind the camera and Nick Ochs was AWOL.

Roy on the bridge the hare used as his escape route.

Adirondack Hare Hunters of the North.
(L-R) (Front to Back)
Five glorious hare hounds.
Roy Towner, Matt Baker, Mark Baker and Joe Ewing.
LT Corso was behind the camera on this one.
Nick Ochs was AWOL, still.