Most folks throughout Aroostook will attest this is one of the oddest winters in decades. It’s not just the lack of snow depth, the regularity of warmer than normal winter days often accompanied by rain give fields and forest the look of spring rather than winter. Snowmobilers, skiers and ice fishermen are a bit put out, but snowshoe hare hunters are taking full advantage of the mild conditions.
During a normal year, snowshoes or a snowmobile must be used to get off plowed roads and transport sportsmen to likely plots of woods and brush where rabbits abound. This winter, however, there have been few days when a set of low-calf, light boots wouldn’t work to keep feet dry and it was easy walking rather than slow, deep wading. Best of all, rabbits are plentiful this season, and throughout the late fall and winter months this year their normal camouflage of white fur actually makes them stand out on the bare ground. A rare and unusual advantage for regional gunners.
There’s little question that a keen-nosed beagle or two truly improves the odds of rustling up hidden hares and giving chase, especially in heavy snow cover where hunter’s movements are hindered.
A well-trained dog allows the handler to stay in one location and once a rabbit is scented and put on the run, the canine companion attempts to chase the high-hopping quarry in a circle and back past the hunter.
The effectiveness of beagles in snow is just part of their wide use across Maine. For most sporting dog owners, watching and listening to the “music of the chase” is a big part of the sport. And of course making effective shots on a fast-moving white ball of fur on a background of snow simply heightens the challenge and excitement. Very seldom do snowshoe hare travel in a straight path; they zig, zag, leap and then turn on a dime to reverse directions, making bagging a bunny on the run, even with a shotgun, a thrilling proposition.
Few Crown of Maine hunters don’t have a long gun that will suffice for shooting rabbit. Waterfowlers and upland bird hunters have shotguns, and a 12-gauge loaded with size 6 or 4 lead pellets will easily reach out 50 yards with a dense, three-foot wide pattern. Most shots tend to be much closer, sometimes at stationary hare that think they are hidden, so a 20-gauge or even a .410 will do the job.
Many experienced rabbit hunters prefer to carry a .22 rifle as a way to make pinpoint shots to the head for a quick, humane kill and no ruined meat. My personal favorite rabbit gun is an old beat up Steven’s over/under, a .22 long rifle barrel over a 20 gauge shotgun barrel, a choice for any shooting situation. I have a couple of friends who truly enjoy upping the ante of challenging shooting — they do their hare hunting with archery gear!
Current conditions of light snow cover and frozen ground ,and in many areas no discernible snow, are ideal for hunters without dogs to still-hunt prime covers for rabbits. Although single sportsman can make it work and get a few shots, a pair or trio of gunners will usually fare much better. Stop-and-go tactics cause snowshoe hare to run at once when approached or sometimes a rabbit will feel hidden and keep stationary. Hunters who stop and stare will be rewarded with an easy, sitting shot.
Other times a rabbit will hide for a minute or more, then when a shooter stays in one spot for a couple of minutes the quarry feels it may have been spotted and makes a break for it. When shooters are spread out side by side pushing through brush, starting and stopping in unison, someone is likely to get a good shot opportunity regardless of which direction the escape run goes. This is especially effective when working each side of a hedge row or around rock piles and brushy islands in crop fields.
Varying hare is the true name of the snowshoe rabbit, and this refers to the ability of the animal to vary its fur from brown to white for camouflage and safety depending on the season. These hare should not be confused with cottontail rabbits which are smaller, less populous and of little sporting interest. March is mating month for snowshoe hare and this means that the rabbits travel all day rather than just dawn and dusk during most of the year. Sightings will improve and so will shooting opportunities, and with current low snow conditions, access to top rate cover is a breeze.
Throughout Aroostook, decent hare hunting can be found and enjoyed within a 15-minute drive of at least 90 percent of homes. Most sportsmen can take a five-minute walk and be in a small wood lot or along a farm field where rabbit abound, and under current conditions an hour long pre-work hunt works out well. Who knows what March holds in store for snow and cold. After all, the old adage states “March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb.” Daylight Savings will give us an hour more evening light, and perhaps time for an after work hunt. Unique hunting conditions are currently available, sp don’t waste them. Fried rabbit or the ingredient for a tasty stew, combined with a challenging shooting sport, lies just beyond your doorstep.
