I do not know if the snowshoe hare population is in a natural decline, or if the increase in coyotes is taking its toll on our local area. Today, I set out with my trail companions to scout a small new hunting ground. Our usual spots are without tracks this season, which worries me as we have always left hares to reseed the area. We were glad to see plenty of sign once we entered the woods– I did not jump to any conclusions, however, as one animal can make it look like a parade just walked through.
Catching movement under a fallen tree, I made my way over while preparing for a shot. I think I was more surprised than the partridge when he realized I was there and busted through the branches– I do not know what was louder, the sound of his wings or the pounding of my heart against my chest. We continued to check every piece of good habitat until we were both confident that nothing was there. Working back through the section of woods, I kept a close eye on the snow and searched for new tracks that a hare we pushed might have made. Unable to find any, my trail companions and I were sure that we did not miss anything– we will have to revisit this spot again later, as I think it is promising.
Bradford Angier compiled an abundance of information covering fire making, wild edibles, navigation and more to help campers survive in the woods.
John Ford, retired Maine game warden, comically shares many of his fortunes and misfortunes while working in the field.
Annette Jackson tells us of her experiences living in the north Maine woods as a game warden's wife in the 1930s.
Michelle Souliere covers strange Maine tales and mysteries ranging from witches to the Loup-Garou.
With hunting season in full swing, Delorme's Atlas and Gazetteer will help you plan a trip, or get from here to there.
Gil Gilpatrick outlines basic outdoor skills for anyone looking to increase their knowledge in planning and packing for a wilderness canoe trip.
Joyce Butler writes of the historical Maine fire that raged in 1947 , burning 200,000 acres including many coastal homes and communities.
Paul Fournier shares stories of being a guide and bush pilot, as well as assisting in the failed reintroduction of caribou in Maine.
Donn Fendler shares his story about being lost on Katahdin, Maine's largest mountain, when he was 12 years of age.
February 2012
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Those tracks are long buried today Peter..You showing off your trick shooting in that last photo?
They sure are Mike!
I was unloading my pump shotgun into the air so the shells would not burry themselves into the snow.
I have read once that rabbitpopulations drop significantly every few years, possibly due to all the food resources being depleted in the previous years.
It seems to be a returning cycle.
Ron- you are right- they are on a cycle. Like you said, their population continues to grow until the habitat and food source can no longer support them and they crash.
I am hopeful that this is the case here.
Peter: One of the surprises I encountered about moving to the woods of New Hampshire was the paucity of rabbits! I expected to see lots of them as I did in Florida. I have seen more moose and bears than rabbits. I suspect the fox and coyotes.
Steve- I hope we are only seeing a decrease due to their high population in previous years.
Well that’s too bad about the decrease in hare’s for you guys. That area looks plenty prime for them to be everywhere. If you see a lot of coyote tracks around and if it’s legal there you might be able to trap some to help weed them down a bit in that area.
Beautiful pictures and I’m sure a great day though nonetheless.
OE- you are right- in the past it has been thick with them.
I have not taken up trapping yet but do plan on it in the future.
It is always a great day when out in the woods.
For some reason, rabbit sign seems scarce in my neck of the woods this year, but your post reminds me of a snowshoe population in a great swamp with balsam fir about an hour north of here, a place I’ve long wanted to check for hares. I’m putting a quest on the calendar.
Walt- Sounds like a spot worth checking- I may have to head north as well for some better hunting.
I will be looking forward to reading that post.
Wow, is that a “Corn Cob” forend on a small bore slide action?
Anyway, in my birthplace, da U.P., I was taught that the rabbits are in da swamps mid winter, so I went looking and fell through the ice into waist deep water.
Reverend- Yes it is.
What a story you must have had after that incident! I hope you were not too far from a place to warm up.