Date of hunt: 11/3/2010
Location: Lowell, VT
Weather: Sunny/Frosty
Temperature: 22 °F (Start) 44°F (End)
Companions: Greg Abell
Dogs of mine: Belvidere Bailey
Other dogs: Katy, Ginger, Chloe
# of Rabbits Ran: 5
# of Rabbits Shot: 1
My son Braydon was born on Saturday, October 30th. Everyone is healthy and doing well! I took a week and a half off from work to be home with the family. The timing lined up with my Uncle Greg's trip up to Vermont from Virginia for his annual hare hunt. He came up on Saturday and is staying at our family camp in Island Pond for the week. The plan was made to spend a morning on a hunt with him, but meet halfway in Lowell instead of a 2 hour drive for me up to Island Pond.
It was the heaviest frost of the year so far when I left Milton. It was 27 degrees at my house, and 22 degrees in Lowell where Uncle Greg was waiting. I pulled into the log landing at 7 am, with hopes that I wouldn't be wasting my Uncle's time by having him wake up early and drive and hour. I had printed out an aerial photo of the hunting ground and did a quick review with him to help him better understand the lay of the land. I geared up Bailey and headed down into the lower clearcut, where Logan and I had hunted a few weeks ago. Uncle Greg's dogs worked together and Bailey did her thing on her own. Bailey got the start, the same hare that Logan and I ran a few weeks before. She was alone and took it down by the stump where Allen, Beau, Logan, Carter and I had stood last month, and then out into the alders. Uncle Greg brought his dogs down to where Bailey was running. When we got there Bailey checked for the first time. A full loop by herself, I think we turned the hare when we got down in there. Katy started barking on old scent, which pulled Bailey off from her check to pack up with her. Katy has a really good nose, but will bark on really old scent, which throws the other dogs off. I suggested working into the softwoods where the hare was heading before Bailey lost it. We fanned out as we walked inside the softwood canopy and Uncle Greg bumped the hare. The hare bounded towards me, and then out into the alders again. I gave the "Weee Weeee" call and Bailey came in with a full out excited bark as she got on the trail that I was pointing to. She knows what it means when I give that call! All four dogs packed up and took the trail deep into the alders. Uncle Greg and I headed into the alders to an island of tall pines that provided a better chance of a shot if one would present itself. The dogs brought the hare down to us but just out of sight. They kept on it as the hare ran out and then turned back towards us. The dogs were getting closer and then the hare sprinted into softwoods about 10 yards from us. I waited to shoot knowing that a 10 yard sprinting shot from right to left was hard, but when I did shoot with the .410 it was behind it. I pumped and pulled the trigger again, click, a bad shell. The last shot was in desperation as it scooted under a log. Missed. The dogs kept on the trail and again followed the hare as it brought them out and back towards us again. This time it went above us without showing itself. As they brought the hare out the dogs split into two's. Bailey and Katy switched up and Ginger and Chloe were bringing the hare back to us. Bailey and Katy were taking a hare up towards the NC camp, and Ginger and Chloe were almost back to us when they checked and lost out. After waiting to see if Ginger and Chloe would pick up the check we picked up and headed up to Bailey and Katy. They ran the hare up along the side of the NC camp and were on their way back down to us when they checked. Katy kept barking on some older feeder trails, and Bailey would check in with her but the trails were to old for her to bark on.
We worked the dogs down along the side of the logging road with little luck. As we were heading out to make our way back in the direction of the truck Bailey began to bark on a feeder trail. I let her work since this was her first time barking in over a half hour. The other dogs joined in on the search. I hopped up onto a log with an overlook of the area that the dogs were working. The hare bounded out of the thick stuff, across the open softwoods and into the thicker softwoods. The dogs took off on the trail and were running well. They made the turn but checked when they were closing in on Uncle Greg and I. We waited for quite a while with hopes that they would pick it up again. We helped the dogs work the woods in the general direction that we believed the hare went. Chloe, Uncle Greg's 1 year old, picked up the scent first and the other dogs quickly packed. The hare bounded out of the thicker cover and presented a good shot. I hit the hare in the rear end and Katy quickly got on it and finished it. She picked up the hare and carried it back to him as he called her in. Uncle Greg's dogs played around with the hare for a bit before we put it in the game pouch, Bailey just kept looking for more scent.
We worked our way back through the pine island and towards the clear cut to get to the logging road that led back up to the truck. On the way back Bailey picked up a hot scent between the pine island and the clear cut. I had Ginger and Chloe with me as well, but they didn't pack. Ginger did go over to where Bailey started and she begand to run the line with Chloe packing up with her. Ginger and Chloe were running about 80 yards behind Bailey. Katy joined in the run with Ginger and Chloe as Bailey was still leading by a long ways and bringing the hare back to me. I caught a movement and readied, it was Ginger. She came back and found me, was shivering and tired. She must had turned the hare and Bailey missed the check. I got a phone call from home about 5 minutes into the check and my wife needed help with the kids at home. We gathered up the dogs and headed back up to the truck. We briefly talked and then hit the road. Overall a good hunt.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
10/10/2010 - Lowell, VT
Date of hunt: 10/10/2010
Location: Lowell, VT
Weather: Sunny
Temperature: 32 °F (Start) 53°F (End)
Companions: Logan Abell
Dogs of mine: Belvidere Bailey & Wild Seasons Mountain Snickers
# of Rabbits Ran: 2
# of Rabbits Shot: 0
Fall has arrived and so has the cooler weather. I woke up this morning to a brisk 32 degrees and put on the thermals for the first time this year. Dressing for this time of year is tricky, as the mornings are cold and it warms up quickly. I layered up thicker than other outings at this temperature, I was tired and I always feel colder when I am tired. I picked up Logan at 5:30 and began the hour drive Northeast. Things were quiet when we got there, perfect. Next weekend will not be so quiet in this spot as moose season will be open and then "new owners of the woods" will be out and about. Every time that I have come across a moose hunter while I am rabbit hunting they are disgusted that I am disturbing their hunt. This adds an extra degree of nervousness when you never know what the crazed hunter will do when a barking dog runs by them! Anyway, Logan (my 12 year old brother) and I geared up the dogs and I let him make the plans where to run for the day. He picked a log road that we have had good luck on and we headed down over the bank into the softwoods. Bailey picked up a scent within 5 minutes and picked at it for about 120 yards across a clear cut before it was hot enough for Snickers to start barking as well. They worked it for another 40 yards or so before the barking turned to a roll and the hot chase was on. The two of them headed out away from us and made a quick turn back up towards where Bailey began the run. The barking was hot! It sounded like there were three dogs running as came back up the bank towards us. The hare snuck by Logan and I and it crossed the main logging road while we were looking down a smaller log road road where Bailey made the start. We repositioned and separated to catch a glimpse of the hare on the way back by. The dogs were getting closer to me and the barking was still hot. It had been about 15 minutes of running already without a check, very nice. The way the dogs were coming towards me I expected to see the hare cross above me about 30 yards up. As the dogs got closer they made a sudden turn down along my left and towards Logan. He got a quick glimpse of the hare as it cross the log road again, but no shot. The dogs were only about 50 yards behind it and still running strong. They brought it out of hearing and Logan and I regrouped. I really wanted him to get his first hare so I stood behind him to help him spot it in the woods before it came out on the log road, hopefully give him a better chance to connect. I saw it coming, and Logan did too, as it approached the log road. He was ready, and there hare came up to the edge of the log road and hung up in a brush pile. I really wanted Logan to get a hare, but I really wanted to get a hare for the dogs too. I couldn't get a shot on the hare after Logan if he missed from where I was standing so I made the mistake of repositioning. The hare saw me and we saw the hare bound back off into the woods. No shot. I was so mad at myself and will probably kick myself for a while to come until Logan gets his first hare. The dogs kept on running and brought it back out on a deep circle. On the way back to us they checked, picked up the check and then checked again. They started to run really choppy as they made the 20 minute trip back up near us and then lost out for a long time. I called in the dogs to regroup. I was happy with their run, but really upset with myself. About a 45 minute run before the first check, very nice. I asked Logan where he wanted to go from there and he quickly picked another spot. As we made our way to the new spot I kicked up a Wookcock and Logan took pursuit. He flushed it once more along with a Partridge, but no luck. We made our way over to the side of the VAST trail where we ran our first hare on opening day. Bailey got the start in almost the same exact spot as opening day and I knew where the hare was heading. Logan and I set up for the return run in our direction. Of course nothing ever goes as planned and the hare crossed a log road while I was in the woods watching. The dogs were in running well and headed back down to where they started. They had their first check on the turn, and then the choppy running began again. This continued for about 15 minutes and then all was quiet. I gathered up the dogs after and headed for another spot, a new one. We crossed the powerlines to try and find a new spot. There were a few areas that were perfect areas, but no hare. Someone should tell the hare about these spots! After an hour of no luck we headed back to the truck and home. A successful hunt none the less.
Location: Lowell, VT
Weather: Sunny
Temperature: 32 °F (Start) 53°F (End)
Companions: Logan Abell
Dogs of mine: Belvidere Bailey & Wild Seasons Mountain Snickers
# of Rabbits Ran: 2
# of Rabbits Shot: 0
Fall has arrived and so has the cooler weather. I woke up this morning to a brisk 32 degrees and put on the thermals for the first time this year. Dressing for this time of year is tricky, as the mornings are cold and it warms up quickly. I layered up thicker than other outings at this temperature, I was tired and I always feel colder when I am tired. I picked up Logan at 5:30 and began the hour drive Northeast. Things were quiet when we got there, perfect. Next weekend will not be so quiet in this spot as moose season will be open and then "new owners of the woods" will be out and about. Every time that I have come across a moose hunter while I am rabbit hunting they are disgusted that I am disturbing their hunt. This adds an extra degree of nervousness when you never know what the crazed hunter will do when a barking dog runs by them! Anyway, Logan (my 12 year old brother) and I geared up the dogs and I let him make the plans where to run for the day. He picked a log road that we have had good luck on and we headed down over the bank into the softwoods. Bailey picked up a scent within 5 minutes and picked at it for about 120 yards across a clear cut before it was hot enough for Snickers to start barking as well. They worked it for another 40 yards or so before the barking turned to a roll and the hot chase was on. The two of them headed out away from us and made a quick turn back up towards where Bailey began the run. The barking was hot! It sounded like there were three dogs running as came back up the bank towards us. The hare snuck by Logan and I and it crossed the main logging road while we were looking down a smaller log road road where Bailey made the start. We repositioned and separated to catch a glimpse of the hare on the way back by. The dogs were getting closer to me and the barking was still hot. It had been about 15 minutes of running already without a check, very nice. The way the dogs were coming towards me I expected to see the hare cross above me about 30 yards up. As the dogs got closer they made a sudden turn down along my left and towards Logan. He got a quick glimpse of the hare as it cross the log road again, but no shot. The dogs were only about 50 yards behind it and still running strong. They brought it out of hearing and Logan and I regrouped. I really wanted him to get his first hare so I stood behind him to help him spot it in the woods before it came out on the log road, hopefully give him a better chance to connect. I saw it coming, and Logan did too, as it approached the log road. He was ready, and there hare came up to the edge of the log road and hung up in a brush pile. I really wanted Logan to get a hare, but I really wanted to get a hare for the dogs too. I couldn't get a shot on the hare after Logan if he missed from where I was standing so I made the mistake of repositioning. The hare saw me and we saw the hare bound back off into the woods. No shot. I was so mad at myself and will probably kick myself for a while to come until Logan gets his first hare. The dogs kept on running and brought it back out on a deep circle. On the way back to us they checked, picked up the check and then checked again. They started to run really choppy as they made the 20 minute trip back up near us and then lost out for a long time. I called in the dogs to regroup. I was happy with their run, but really upset with myself. About a 45 minute run before the first check, very nice. I asked Logan where he wanted to go from there and he quickly picked another spot. As we made our way to the new spot I kicked up a Wookcock and Logan took pursuit. He flushed it once more along with a Partridge, but no luck. We made our way over to the side of the VAST trail where we ran our first hare on opening day. Bailey got the start in almost the same exact spot as opening day and I knew where the hare was heading. Logan and I set up for the return run in our direction. Of course nothing ever goes as planned and the hare crossed a log road while I was in the woods watching. The dogs were in running well and headed back down to where they started. They had their first check on the turn, and then the choppy running began again. This continued for about 15 minutes and then all was quiet. I gathered up the dogs after and headed for another spot, a new one. We crossed the powerlines to try and find a new spot. There were a few areas that were perfect areas, but no hare. Someone should tell the hare about these spots! After an hour of no luck we headed back to the truck and home. A successful hunt none the less.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Ironic picture
I don't have a hunt to post about today, but I wanted to post a picture that I found. I thought it was quite interesting. It is me when I was a young boy next to my fathers dog, Bucky. The really ironic part is that my Dad bought this dog from George Cushing, which is my wife's grandfather.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
9/25/2010 - Lowell, VT
Date of hunt: 9/25/2010
Location: Doug Duffy's
Weather: Sunny
Temperature: 71 °F (Start) 62°F (End)
Companions: Allen Cushing, Beau Cushing, Logan Abell, Carter Abell
Dogs of mine: Belvidere Bailey & Wild Seasons Mountain Snickers
# of Rabbits Ran: 3
# of Rabbits Shot: 0
Today was opening day of rabbit season in Vermont. I kicked myself last year for not getting some family together to take advantage of opening weekend. Deer season doesn't start until next weekend so this weekend works about best for the rest of my family. I had my father-in-law Allen, my brother-in-law Beau, my 12 year old brother Logan and my 5 year old son Carter with me. We were up early and managed to leave Milton on time, 5:30. We pulled into our spot by 6:30 and geared up the dogs. I haven't had many chances to get out this summer, the dogs are out of shape, and I was nervous that I was going to let the family down on this outing. I brought the dogs down to a known spot that I have ran hare in before with hopes to get a quick start. It took a lot of looking, but Bailey got the first start. She ran the hare that I got nervous with on opening day (Bailey was sounding funny, and the hare ran into unfamiliar territory). I let the dogs go and just prayed that they would take the turn and head back my way. It wasn't long and the dogs were coming back our way. Beau was new to this and wasn't quite sure where to stand, or what he was looking for. He was on a logging road, and ready. Carter was with Allen and they found a spot to stand as well. I was with Logan with the video camera rolling with hopes of getting some good footage. The dogs came down the edge of the road towards all of us. They stay inside the wood line about 40 yards and Logan and I didn't get a sighting. They came out along the edge of the road and Beau saw the dogs, but had missed seeing the rabbit. It changed directions before making it back to Allen and Carter and swung back up away from us and ran a lot of circles above us. We tried to move in closer, but by the time we were in position the dogs checked. During their check the dogs made their way out to us. I called them in to try and pick up a different hare in a different spot.
On the walk past the truck we stopped and had some snacks and drinks and added some layers as the temperature was dropping. We headed down to the lower clear cut and Bailey was working hard to find a hare. Snickers was working hard to find Bailey, and had no interest in finding the hare herself. I lost Snickers for a bit and soon realized that she was hanging out with Bruce and his bird dogs. They were swinging by in their search for some opening day Partridge. I hollared for a while, but Snickers wouldn't come. Bailey opened on a new hare and Snickers came by me like a rocket to cherry pick Bailey's hare. The race was on again with Bailey in the lead. I could hear that Bailey was always ahead of Snickers. They checked for a short time, and when Bailey got the check it must had been a sight chase. She barked really hot for about 30 or 40 yards and then it calmed down as she kept on the trail and Snickers caught up to join in. The brought the hare down behind me, but towards Allen and I heard a shot from his .410. He missed, and before I knew the dogs ran right behind me and Carter. I missed seeing the hare while filming the hunt. Carter and I went over to talk with Allen and waited for a second sighting. The hare came back by Allen and I in a full gallop. I shot, and missed to the shot from about 4 feet away. Allen's follow-up shot missed as well and the race continued. The dogs were about 30 yards behind the rabbit and running very well. They ran a lot of small circles up above us and the hare didn't want to come back down to us. Once more it came down in our direction, but didn't give us a sighting. After running for about 2 1/2 hours the dogs checked for their last time and lost out. I was extremely happy with their run.
We headed back up towards the truck and I let the dogs work the woods on the way. Bailey got the third start on a rabbit the we must have spooked out the brush as we were walking through. The two of them were run very hot and fast out across the clearcut and into the pines. We fanned out and hoped to get it on the way back up. It started to turn back up towards us and I was ready. They took a turn out away from me and started to go out of hearing. I wasn't sure what was going on, but decided to take chase to be sure. They managed to make it out deep into the alders and were running a choppy run. I called to them and finally caught up to them after a long walk through the thick stuff. It was faster to continue through the alders instead of back tracking from where I came. Once I hit the logging road I was once again in familiar territory and headed comfortably back to the truck. Everyone was waiting in the truck ready to go when I got there. We left at 12:30.
We had an excellent hunt and I was very proud of the dogs. Allen can't wait to go back out, and I hope our calendars can align again to allow for it. I wish I knew when the next outing will be, but I will have to play it by ear.
Location: Doug Duffy's
Weather: Sunny
Temperature: 71 °F (Start) 62°F (End)
Companions: Allen Cushing, Beau Cushing, Logan Abell, Carter Abell
Dogs of mine: Belvidere Bailey & Wild Seasons Mountain Snickers
# of Rabbits Ran: 3
# of Rabbits Shot: 0
Today was opening day of rabbit season in Vermont. I kicked myself last year for not getting some family together to take advantage of opening weekend. Deer season doesn't start until next weekend so this weekend works about best for the rest of my family. I had my father-in-law Allen, my brother-in-law Beau, my 12 year old brother Logan and my 5 year old son Carter with me. We were up early and managed to leave Milton on time, 5:30. We pulled into our spot by 6:30 and geared up the dogs. I haven't had many chances to get out this summer, the dogs are out of shape, and I was nervous that I was going to let the family down on this outing. I brought the dogs down to a known spot that I have ran hare in before with hopes to get a quick start. It took a lot of looking, but Bailey got the first start. She ran the hare that I got nervous with on opening day (Bailey was sounding funny, and the hare ran into unfamiliar territory). I let the dogs go and just prayed that they would take the turn and head back my way. It wasn't long and the dogs were coming back our way. Beau was new to this and wasn't quite sure where to stand, or what he was looking for. He was on a logging road, and ready. Carter was with Allen and they found a spot to stand as well. I was with Logan with the video camera rolling with hopes of getting some good footage. The dogs came down the edge of the road towards all of us. They stay inside the wood line about 40 yards and Logan and I didn't get a sighting. They came out along the edge of the road and Beau saw the dogs, but had missed seeing the rabbit. It changed directions before making it back to Allen and Carter and swung back up away from us and ran a lot of circles above us. We tried to move in closer, but by the time we were in position the dogs checked. During their check the dogs made their way out to us. I called them in to try and pick up a different hare in a different spot.
On the walk past the truck we stopped and had some snacks and drinks and added some layers as the temperature was dropping. We headed down to the lower clear cut and Bailey was working hard to find a hare. Snickers was working hard to find Bailey, and had no interest in finding the hare herself. I lost Snickers for a bit and soon realized that she was hanging out with Bruce and his bird dogs. They were swinging by in their search for some opening day Partridge. I hollared for a while, but Snickers wouldn't come. Bailey opened on a new hare and Snickers came by me like a rocket to cherry pick Bailey's hare. The race was on again with Bailey in the lead. I could hear that Bailey was always ahead of Snickers. They checked for a short time, and when Bailey got the check it must had been a sight chase. She barked really hot for about 30 or 40 yards and then it calmed down as she kept on the trail and Snickers caught up to join in. The brought the hare down behind me, but towards Allen and I heard a shot from his .410. He missed, and before I knew the dogs ran right behind me and Carter. I missed seeing the hare while filming the hunt. Carter and I went over to talk with Allen and waited for a second sighting. The hare came back by Allen and I in a full gallop. I shot, and missed to the shot from about 4 feet away. Allen's follow-up shot missed as well and the race continued. The dogs were about 30 yards behind the rabbit and running very well. They ran a lot of small circles up above us and the hare didn't want to come back down to us. Once more it came down in our direction, but didn't give us a sighting. After running for about 2 1/2 hours the dogs checked for their last time and lost out. I was extremely happy with their run.
We headed back up towards the truck and I let the dogs work the woods on the way. Bailey got the third start on a rabbit the we must have spooked out the brush as we were walking through. The two of them were run very hot and fast out across the clearcut and into the pines. We fanned out and hoped to get it on the way back up. It started to turn back up towards us and I was ready. They took a turn out away from me and started to go out of hearing. I wasn't sure what was going on, but decided to take chase to be sure. They managed to make it out deep into the alders and were running a choppy run. I called to them and finally caught up to them after a long walk through the thick stuff. It was faster to continue through the alders instead of back tracking from where I came. Once I hit the logging road I was once again in familiar territory and headed comfortably back to the truck. Everyone was waiting in the truck ready to go when I got there. We left at 12:30.
We had an excellent hunt and I was very proud of the dogs. Allen can't wait to go back out, and I hope our calendars can align again to allow for it. I wish I knew when the next outing will be, but I will have to play it by ear.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
8/1/2010 - Norton, VT
Date of hunt: 8/1/2010
Location: Norton, VT
Weather: Sunny/Dry
Temperature: 81 °F (Start) 81°F (End)
Dogs of mine: Belvidere Bailey & Wild Seasons Mountain Snickers
# of Rabbits Ran: 1
It has been a while since I went out on this run, but I have been busy with college classes, work and home improvements. I cannot find the time to run the dogs yet alone type up a hunting log for this past hunt. Hopefully things will setttle down soon and I can get out again.
The family and I went up to my uncles camp in Norton for a long camping weekend. I brought the dogs with hopes of finding some time to go for a couple of runs. We got up to camp on Thursday and I was able to go running on Saturday and Sunday. The thousands of acres to run were on the other side of the river. The water was low enough this year that we could hop from rock to rock with the dogs to get across. Snickers came across easy, but Bailey was scared. She managed to get across with some coaxing, and by the end of the weekend I worked with her enough and she was wading in the water.
Bailey got the start after a long 45 minute search and Snickers joined in shortly after. They took the rabbit out of hearing and then brought it back. The rabbit was getting closer to Logan and I when the dogs lost out on it. It was hot and dry and we called it a day after about 2 hours. The only time I could break away from the family was about 12:30 and the temperature was warm and the ground was dry.
I went out alone the next day, and this time I managed to sneak out a little earlier; 10:30. It wasn't exactly morning dew quality but it was a bit damper then yesterday. I headed to the spot where to dogs got the start the day before. Bailey picked up the start again, this time in only 10 minutes. Snickers must have been right on Baileys tail because she joined in right after Bailey started. They took the hare on the same out of hearing circle as the day before and started to bring it back to me. I found a nice little opening to hang out in and a blown down log that was perfect to lay down on. I had my feet up and was laid back nice and comfortably just relaxing with my eyes closed listening to the music the dogs were making. The dogs were getting closer and I was really enjoying my time out in the woods. Everything was perfect, the dogs were running, they were running well, and I was nice and relaxed. I could hear the thumping of the rabbits feet as it came closer. By the time I realized what was going in the rabbit had ran under the log, directly under my shoulders and out the other side. I was able to open my eyes and turn my head without being seen. The hare ran a straight line for about 15 yards. It stopped for a second, brushed its ear with its back foot and came running back towards me, on the same line it went out on. He back tracked about 10 yards and then turned and took off again. At this point the dogs were right by my side and came up to the side of the log I was on. I coaxed them on and helped point them in the right direction and the race continued. They took the hare out of hearing again and of course that is where they checked. With all the woods around me, and nothing to the north of me except the Canadian border clear cut I started to head in their direction to find them as soon as possible. They didn't have telemetry on, as I don't have any. I walked towards them for about 10 minutes while calling and then waited for another 10 while calling, nothing. A quick bump with the collars and I could hear Bailey almost out of hearing. I kept calling and they came in. We had a good run and I wasn't going to push my luck. It was hot and dry again and we had a good 2 hour run.
Location: Norton, VT
Weather: Sunny/Dry
Temperature: 81 °F (Start) 81°F (End)
Dogs of mine: Belvidere Bailey & Wild Seasons Mountain Snickers
# of Rabbits Ran: 1
It has been a while since I went out on this run, but I have been busy with college classes, work and home improvements. I cannot find the time to run the dogs yet alone type up a hunting log for this past hunt. Hopefully things will setttle down soon and I can get out again.
The family and I went up to my uncles camp in Norton for a long camping weekend. I brought the dogs with hopes of finding some time to go for a couple of runs. We got up to camp on Thursday and I was able to go running on Saturday and Sunday. The thousands of acres to run were on the other side of the river. The water was low enough this year that we could hop from rock to rock with the dogs to get across. Snickers came across easy, but Bailey was scared. She managed to get across with some coaxing, and by the end of the weekend I worked with her enough and she was wading in the water.
Bailey got the start after a long 45 minute search and Snickers joined in shortly after. They took the rabbit out of hearing and then brought it back. The rabbit was getting closer to Logan and I when the dogs lost out on it. It was hot and dry and we called it a day after about 2 hours. The only time I could break away from the family was about 12:30 and the temperature was warm and the ground was dry.
I went out alone the next day, and this time I managed to sneak out a little earlier; 10:30. It wasn't exactly morning dew quality but it was a bit damper then yesterday. I headed to the spot where to dogs got the start the day before. Bailey picked up the start again, this time in only 10 minutes. Snickers must have been right on Baileys tail because she joined in right after Bailey started. They took the hare on the same out of hearing circle as the day before and started to bring it back to me. I found a nice little opening to hang out in and a blown down log that was perfect to lay down on. I had my feet up and was laid back nice and comfortably just relaxing with my eyes closed listening to the music the dogs were making. The dogs were getting closer and I was really enjoying my time out in the woods. Everything was perfect, the dogs were running, they were running well, and I was nice and relaxed. I could hear the thumping of the rabbits feet as it came closer. By the time I realized what was going in the rabbit had ran under the log, directly under my shoulders and out the other side. I was able to open my eyes and turn my head without being seen. The hare ran a straight line for about 15 yards. It stopped for a second, brushed its ear with its back foot and came running back towards me, on the same line it went out on. He back tracked about 10 yards and then turned and took off again. At this point the dogs were right by my side and came up to the side of the log I was on. I coaxed them on and helped point them in the right direction and the race continued. They took the hare out of hearing again and of course that is where they checked. With all the woods around me, and nothing to the north of me except the Canadian border clear cut I started to head in their direction to find them as soon as possible. They didn't have telemetry on, as I don't have any. I walked towards them for about 10 minutes while calling and then waited for another 10 while calling, nothing. A quick bump with the collars and I could hear Bailey almost out of hearing. I kept calling and they came in. We had a good run and I wasn't going to push my luck. It was hot and dry again and we had a good 2 hour run.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
6/26/2010 - Milton, VT
Date of hunt: 6/26/2010
Location: Devino Farm
Weather: Wet
Temperature: 67 °F (Start) 67°F (End)
Dogs of mine: Belvidere Bailey & Wild Seasons Mountain Snickers
# of Rabbits Ran: 1
I should have just stayed home. I couldn't get the dogs to hunt for anything. When I say "hunt" I mean have the dogs find the rabbits themselves, not me. They would not leave my side and kept coming back to make sure I was still there. Shouldn't a good dog hunt on their own! Bailey was the only one that would do a little work. Snickers just stood around waiting for Bailey to start barking.
Bailey did get a start, but I think it was a baby cottontail by the way she ran it. It zig zagged around inside a thicket that was about a 20 yard circle. She kept loosing it, it never busted out onto roads, and Snickers only barked on it once. I've found that Bailey has the stronger nose. She picked at it for about 20 minutes before loosing out on it.
Hunts like this really make me question whether or not I want to waste my time anymore. Maybe I should get rid of them and start over in a few years when my kids are older and I might have some extra time.
Location: Devino Farm
Weather: Wet
Temperature: 67 °F (Start) 67°F (End)
Dogs of mine: Belvidere Bailey & Wild Seasons Mountain Snickers
# of Rabbits Ran: 1
I should have just stayed home. I couldn't get the dogs to hunt for anything. When I say "hunt" I mean have the dogs find the rabbits themselves, not me. They would not leave my side and kept coming back to make sure I was still there. Shouldn't a good dog hunt on their own! Bailey was the only one that would do a little work. Snickers just stood around waiting for Bailey to start barking.
Bailey did get a start, but I think it was a baby cottontail by the way she ran it. It zig zagged around inside a thicket that was about a 20 yard circle. She kept loosing it, it never busted out onto roads, and Snickers only barked on it once. I've found that Bailey has the stronger nose. She picked at it for about 20 minutes before loosing out on it.
Hunts like this really make me question whether or not I want to waste my time anymore. Maybe I should get rid of them and start over in a few years when my kids are older and I might have some extra time.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
6/1/2010 - Lowell, VT
Date of hunt: 6/1/2010
Location: Doug Duffy's
Weather: Sunny/Wet
Temperature: 68 °F (Start) 65°F (End)
Dogs of mine: Belvidere Bailey & Wild Seasons Mountain Snickers
# of Rabbits Ran: 2
Today was opening day of training season. The dogs hadn't been out since the last day of rabbit season in March. I got out of work at 3:30 and hit the road around 4:30 for the hour drive North East. On the way in to the log landing I stopped and talked with Bruce for a few minutes. He is up for a couple of months working on their camp. Once the dogs were geared up we headed down the VAST trail towards the power lines in search of our first hare. Bailey got the start and the race was on. It went well for the first half of the run, but then started to sound weird. Bailey didn't sound like she used to. I was missing her nice rolling bark. I thought maybe another year older might be changing her voice, or worse, off game. Haven't had the problem before but acted quickly in case it was. I caught up to the dogs rather quickly as they were swinging back down to me. The rabbit crossed the logging road in front of me as the came closer, satisfies the off game theory, and then I started to get worried. Bailey sounded like a snorting pig as she was trying to breathe. I began to worry about a possible stick in her throat. After looking her over I didn’t find anything. I took off a collar in case it was choking her. As she took off again she kept it up. It then hit me, they are out of shape! Bailey did put some weight on during the off season and she was out of breath. They ran for a bit longer and they checked at one point for close to 20 minutes. I called in the dogs with hopes that one of them would pick up the scent on the way through.
Snickers was the first to show up. I've noticed that she likes to cherry pick. She relies on Bailey to find the rabbit and then she is right there to run it. I kept trying to point into the brush to get her in to look. She had no interest in finding the hare herself, but kept trying to listen for Bailey. I could get her in the brush for about 30 seconds before she would come back out on the easy walking trail that I would be on. When I got in the brush with her I could keep her attention for about a minute, but then she would go back out on the trail and listen for Bailey.
Bailey got the next start and Snickers was off like a rocket to catch up. Bailey cold trailed the hare in a small patch of softwoods that was bordered on all sides by logging roads. She cold trailed for about 5 minutes before finally kicking it up. Bailey's cold bark turned to a deep excited roll , and Snicker's joined in. That made the trip worth while. The two of them took the hare up along the side of the power lines and back up across the VAST trail. Must have been the same hare we ran on the last day of the season. It ran the same pattern, so I knew where to go. The hare crossed where I thought it would and the dogs were struggling to keep up. Again, gasping for air. They ran for about a half hour before they were checking a lot. My guess is they were too tired to keep up. After a long check I called in the dogs, with a lot of coaxing, and made our way to the truck.
An informative first time out for the season, and I can't wait to keep running them more to get them back in shape!
Location: Doug Duffy's
Weather: Sunny/Wet
Temperature: 68 °F (Start) 65°F (End)
Dogs of mine: Belvidere Bailey & Wild Seasons Mountain Snickers
# of Rabbits Ran: 2
Today was opening day of training season. The dogs hadn't been out since the last day of rabbit season in March. I got out of work at 3:30 and hit the road around 4:30 for the hour drive North East. On the way in to the log landing I stopped and talked with Bruce for a few minutes. He is up for a couple of months working on their camp. Once the dogs were geared up we headed down the VAST trail towards the power lines in search of our first hare. Bailey got the start and the race was on. It went well for the first half of the run, but then started to sound weird. Bailey didn't sound like she used to. I was missing her nice rolling bark. I thought maybe another year older might be changing her voice, or worse, off game. Haven't had the problem before but acted quickly in case it was. I caught up to the dogs rather quickly as they were swinging back down to me. The rabbit crossed the logging road in front of me as the came closer, satisfies the off game theory, and then I started to get worried. Bailey sounded like a snorting pig as she was trying to breathe. I began to worry about a possible stick in her throat. After looking her over I didn’t find anything. I took off a collar in case it was choking her. As she took off again she kept it up. It then hit me, they are out of shape! Bailey did put some weight on during the off season and she was out of breath. They ran for a bit longer and they checked at one point for close to 20 minutes. I called in the dogs with hopes that one of them would pick up the scent on the way through.
Snickers was the first to show up. I've noticed that she likes to cherry pick. She relies on Bailey to find the rabbit and then she is right there to run it. I kept trying to point into the brush to get her in to look. She had no interest in finding the hare herself, but kept trying to listen for Bailey. I could get her in the brush for about 30 seconds before she would come back out on the easy walking trail that I would be on. When I got in the brush with her I could keep her attention for about a minute, but then she would go back out on the trail and listen for Bailey.
Bailey got the next start and Snickers was off like a rocket to catch up. Bailey cold trailed the hare in a small patch of softwoods that was bordered on all sides by logging roads. She cold trailed for about 5 minutes before finally kicking it up. Bailey's cold bark turned to a deep excited roll , and Snicker's joined in. That made the trip worth while. The two of them took the hare up along the side of the power lines and back up across the VAST trail. Must have been the same hare we ran on the last day of the season. It ran the same pattern, so I knew where to go. The hare crossed where I thought it would and the dogs were struggling to keep up. Again, gasping for air. They ran for about a half hour before they were checking a lot. My guess is they were too tired to keep up. After a long check I called in the dogs, with a lot of coaxing, and made our way to the truck.
An informative first time out for the season, and I can't wait to keep running them more to get them back in shape!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
3/14/2010 - Lowell, VT
Date of hunt: 3/14/2010
Location: Doug Duffy's
Weather: Scattered Rain Showers
Temperature: 35 °F (Start) 45°F (End)
Companions: Adam Raymond, John Roberts, Henry Robare
Dogs of mine: Belvidere Bailey & Wild Seasons Mountain Snickers
Other Dogs: Casey & Chuck
# of Rabbits Ran: 5
# of Rabbits Shot: 2
We signed up for the 35th annual Orlean's Hare Hunt. It cost $17 for this last day of the season tournament. The object was to hunt anywhere you wanted to and then weigh in your rabbits at the end of the day. The legal limit is 3 daily so they have designed the tournament around that. We had to be in Orleans by around 5 to be on time to weigh in before the prime rib dinner.
John wanted to go to Peacham to get away from everyone and run in a spot that is loaded with hare. Adam met me at 4:30am at the house and then we left to pick up John for 5. I had my 6 dog dog box with the intent on keeping Bailey, Remi and Snickers on one side with John's 3 dogs on the other; Chuck, Casey and Buster. John knew it might be an issue between Chuck and Buster and that it was. We ended up strapping John's box on top of mine to transport his dogs to Richmond. We transferred John's box over to Henry's truck and headed south to Peacham.
Once there we found a really nice softwood forest with remnants of a fresh logging operation. The snow was deep, soft and grainy. The dogs were sinking in up to there belly on every step, and we were struggling on snowshoes just the same. We worked the woods for a good 2 hours with nothing at all. John lost Chuck and went looking for him. I headed down off the mountain to Calais to hopefully find some honey holes without snow and with rabbits. John met us down at the first potential spot and Adam and I scoped it out real quick. Nothing. We decided to travel a half hour towards Hardwick to a spot that John found earlier in the year. Once there we searched for any sign. John found a track and thought there might be more down closer to the swamp. I let out Bailey and Snickers and we searched for about an hour. Nothing. We finally decided to head to Lowell as we knew for sure that there were hare there.
Another 45 minutes later we were ready to go in Lowell. It was now noon and the sky was getting darker threatening with rain. We cast Bailey, Snickers, Chuck and Casey and headed down the logging road to my first honey hole. Bailey got the start and Chuck joined in. Soon all 4 dogs were pushing hard through the tough running snow and managed to bring the hare back to John. He got the hare on the 4th shot but was skeptical if it was a stray or the one they were running. It was a good 4 or 5 hundred yards in front of the dogs. The dogs came right up on the track to John, the snow sure was slowing the dogs down drastically.
We worked our way over to the cutout with the popular tree in it. We got a lot of hits but didn't get any starts for the next 45 minutes, now 1:30. Henry radio'd from the truck and said he was leaving. He took Buster home with him and left all of John's stuff on the empty side of my dog box, except John's change of pants which he left out in the rain.
John radio'd and asked me to find another honey hole to get things started. Adam and I worked off the edge of clear cut towards the 4 wheeler trail and I got a stray jump. Adam got to see it and got off a shot, gun was empty. I saw where the rabbit stopped and I quickly loaded Dad's single shot 20 gauge. Adam told me that the shot was too far but I took it anyway. The rabbit fell over just as the dogs picked up on the trail it had just left. Bailey got the start first and to the downed rabbit first. As Adam and I talked Bailey got into a blow down and started to bark. Adam and I set up around the blow down waiting for a hare to bust out. Snickers picked up the trail about 20 yards down and the chase was on. The rabbit crossed the 4 wheeler trail and went down towards the powerline. It turned up towards the bend and I thought it would cross in front of Adam at any time. They switched up on another hare that turned them out across the powerline. They ran a couple of circles on the other side of the powerline and then lost it. I called in the dogs to the last set of tracks that I saw where they switched up. Bailey picked up the scent but couldn't run with it. Casey picked up the start and the dogs were off. They took the hare up across the 4 wheeler trail and tried to bring it back down to us. Either the hare ran a bunch of small circles up high or they switched up again, but the hare never came back down. After a while they lost out and we gathered up the dogs. It was 4:30.
The dinner was great, and it was a fun day. The winning hare was 4.25 pounds, second was 4.00 pounds and third was 3.99 pounds. My hare was 3.87 pounds and John's was 3.67 pounds.
Location: Doug Duffy's
Weather: Scattered Rain Showers
Temperature: 35 °F (Start) 45°F (End)
Companions: Adam Raymond, John Roberts, Henry Robare
Dogs of mine: Belvidere Bailey & Wild Seasons Mountain Snickers
Other Dogs: Casey & Chuck
# of Rabbits Ran: 5
# of Rabbits Shot: 2
We signed up for the 35th annual Orlean's Hare Hunt. It cost $17 for this last day of the season tournament. The object was to hunt anywhere you wanted to and then weigh in your rabbits at the end of the day. The legal limit is 3 daily so they have designed the tournament around that. We had to be in Orleans by around 5 to be on time to weigh in before the prime rib dinner.
John wanted to go to Peacham to get away from everyone and run in a spot that is loaded with hare. Adam met me at 4:30am at the house and then we left to pick up John for 5. I had my 6 dog dog box with the intent on keeping Bailey, Remi and Snickers on one side with John's 3 dogs on the other; Chuck, Casey and Buster. John knew it might be an issue between Chuck and Buster and that it was. We ended up strapping John's box on top of mine to transport his dogs to Richmond. We transferred John's box over to Henry's truck and headed south to Peacham.
Once there we found a really nice softwood forest with remnants of a fresh logging operation. The snow was deep, soft and grainy. The dogs were sinking in up to there belly on every step, and we were struggling on snowshoes just the same. We worked the woods for a good 2 hours with nothing at all. John lost Chuck and went looking for him. I headed down off the mountain to Calais to hopefully find some honey holes without snow and with rabbits. John met us down at the first potential spot and Adam and I scoped it out real quick. Nothing. We decided to travel a half hour towards Hardwick to a spot that John found earlier in the year. Once there we searched for any sign. John found a track and thought there might be more down closer to the swamp. I let out Bailey and Snickers and we searched for about an hour. Nothing. We finally decided to head to Lowell as we knew for sure that there were hare there.
Another 45 minutes later we were ready to go in Lowell. It was now noon and the sky was getting darker threatening with rain. We cast Bailey, Snickers, Chuck and Casey and headed down the logging road to my first honey hole. Bailey got the start and Chuck joined in. Soon all 4 dogs were pushing hard through the tough running snow and managed to bring the hare back to John. He got the hare on the 4th shot but was skeptical if it was a stray or the one they were running. It was a good 4 or 5 hundred yards in front of the dogs. The dogs came right up on the track to John, the snow sure was slowing the dogs down drastically.
We worked our way over to the cutout with the popular tree in it. We got a lot of hits but didn't get any starts for the next 45 minutes, now 1:30. Henry radio'd from the truck and said he was leaving. He took Buster home with him and left all of John's stuff on the empty side of my dog box, except John's change of pants which he left out in the rain.
John radio'd and asked me to find another honey hole to get things started. Adam and I worked off the edge of clear cut towards the 4 wheeler trail and I got a stray jump. Adam got to see it and got off a shot, gun was empty. I saw where the rabbit stopped and I quickly loaded Dad's single shot 20 gauge. Adam told me that the shot was too far but I took it anyway. The rabbit fell over just as the dogs picked up on the trail it had just left. Bailey got the start first and to the downed rabbit first. As Adam and I talked Bailey got into a blow down and started to bark. Adam and I set up around the blow down waiting for a hare to bust out. Snickers picked up the trail about 20 yards down and the chase was on. The rabbit crossed the 4 wheeler trail and went down towards the powerline. It turned up towards the bend and I thought it would cross in front of Adam at any time. They switched up on another hare that turned them out across the powerline. They ran a couple of circles on the other side of the powerline and then lost it. I called in the dogs to the last set of tracks that I saw where they switched up. Bailey picked up the scent but couldn't run with it. Casey picked up the start and the dogs were off. They took the hare up across the 4 wheeler trail and tried to bring it back down to us. Either the hare ran a bunch of small circles up high or they switched up again, but the hare never came back down. After a while they lost out and we gathered up the dogs. It was 4:30.
The dinner was great, and it was a fun day. The winning hare was 4.25 pounds, second was 4.00 pounds and third was 3.99 pounds. My hare was 3.87 pounds and John's was 3.67 pounds.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
2/20/2010 - Lowell, VT
Date of hunt: 2/20/2010
Location: Doug Duffy's
Weather: Partly Sunny/Fresh Snow
Temperature: 25 °F (Start) 28°F (End)
Companions: Logan
Dogs of mine: Flanders Remi & Wild Seasons Mountain Snickers
# of Rabbits Ran: 4
# of Rabbits Shot: 1
It has been quite the week. I went to see Bill Pettiruti in Montpelier to look at possibly buying a 15 month old dog from him. I didn't get a chance to really see his dog run on his own though. He had been running since 10:30 in the morning and I didn't get there until after work, around 4. He has a really nice setup and Paddy sure did look nice. Dean called me on Thursday to see how my visit with Bill went. During the discussion he mentioned that Pete Crowley was looking to get rid of Wildseasons Mountain Snickers. Well to make the story short I picked up Snickers on Friday night.
Logan and I got to Lowell around 8:20. There was about 5 inches of fresh snow. We geared up Remi and Snickers and headed down the logging road on the side of Bruce and Sue's. Remi got the first start and Snickers joined in. They weren't running anything yet, just working a fresh feeder trail. I caught a glimpse of the white hare cross the moose trail we were on and I called in the dogs. I put them on the wrong trail and they weren't running, I was beginning to wonder what was up. I had Logan head further down the trail to see if he could see any more tracks. Logan started calling in the dogs and he got both Remi and Snickers to start on the trail. They both ran it together for a little ways before checking. Remi came all the way back to me and I didn't hear anything from Snickers for a long time. I leashed up Remi and went looking for Snickers. About 45 minutes later I had both the dogs again. We headed down deeper and I let only Snickers go. Snickers wasn't being very independent. She was following Remi around and not searching on her own. It made it worse with Remi not being there. She was really looking for her harder now. I let Remi join back in on the search and she got the next start. Snickers took the lead and shortly after Remi was by my said again while Snickers was running well. We were in position to take the hare when the rabbit did an "S" run instead of a circle. With Remi on a leash we went up to where Snickers was running. I saw a glimpse of the hare again and moved in closer. When we were in position again the hare didn't come back, once again. While Snickers was running the hare in small circles above us we waited for it to drop back down towards us. Nothing. Snickers ran the hare for about an hour and a half total and Logan and I couldn't get in front of it.
We moved on towards the old downed Popular tree. The logging operation has really done a number and cleaned out our favorite spot. It still seems to be holding hare as Snickers got the start on a familiar running hare that we seemed to have ran before. Logan and I were in position but must have been looking the other way as the hare crossed up where the old Popular tree used to be. We moved down to where Snickers got the start and waited. The hare turned up instead of down and crossed back in the same spot that we missed seeing it earlier. I had Logan go back up there while I waited down low. The hare crossed up where Logan was twice more but he didn't see it. On a run out deep Snickers must have picked up another hare. It sounded like the same hare that we ran earlier in the morning, small circles in the same area as before. Meanwhile Remi picked up a hare behind us and pushed it out across the trail between Logan and I. I caught a glimpse of it as it went into the thick stuff and I settled in to wait for it to cross the logging road. Remi pushed on slowly and bumped the hare just enough to cross about 40 yards in front of me. Dad's 20 gauge single shot barked and the hunt was over. I hollared "Dead Bunny" in honor of Lanny and Snickers and Logan started celebrating. He came running over and we took pictures. He headed up the logging road with the hare and Remi and I went out after Snickers. She was still running the hare. After 2 hours of running she had to have been tired. I tried to set up on the hare once as she came closer but didn't pick the right spot. I cut off Snickers as she came through and headed for the truck. Logan was there at the truck as we came out on the Buckley's driveway.
Snickers has given me a new excitement towards rabbit hunting and I look forward to more hunts to come. Remi isn't packing with her yet but I am hoping that the summer running together will help with that. I have decided to give Remi a chance and only sell Bailey. We will see how that goes. I will have to determine a deadline for progression for Remi before enough is enough. Snickers is 8 years old now and I will need to utilize her the best that I can while she is healthy. If Remi won't work I need to get a pup under her soon to make sure she can help train it. Time will tell….
Location: Doug Duffy's
Weather: Partly Sunny/Fresh Snow
Temperature: 25 °F (Start) 28°F (End)
Companions: Logan
Dogs of mine: Flanders Remi & Wild Seasons Mountain Snickers
# of Rabbits Ran: 4
# of Rabbits Shot: 1
It has been quite the week. I went to see Bill Pettiruti in Montpelier to look at possibly buying a 15 month old dog from him. I didn't get a chance to really see his dog run on his own though. He had been running since 10:30 in the morning and I didn't get there until after work, around 4. He has a really nice setup and Paddy sure did look nice. Dean called me on Thursday to see how my visit with Bill went. During the discussion he mentioned that Pete Crowley was looking to get rid of Wildseasons Mountain Snickers. Well to make the story short I picked up Snickers on Friday night.
Logan and I got to Lowell around 8:20. There was about 5 inches of fresh snow. We geared up Remi and Snickers and headed down the logging road on the side of Bruce and Sue's. Remi got the first start and Snickers joined in. They weren't running anything yet, just working a fresh feeder trail. I caught a glimpse of the white hare cross the moose trail we were on and I called in the dogs. I put them on the wrong trail and they weren't running, I was beginning to wonder what was up. I had Logan head further down the trail to see if he could see any more tracks. Logan started calling in the dogs and he got both Remi and Snickers to start on the trail. They both ran it together for a little ways before checking. Remi came all the way back to me and I didn't hear anything from Snickers for a long time. I leashed up Remi and went looking for Snickers. About 45 minutes later I had both the dogs again. We headed down deeper and I let only Snickers go. Snickers wasn't being very independent. She was following Remi around and not searching on her own. It made it worse with Remi not being there. She was really looking for her harder now. I let Remi join back in on the search and she got the next start. Snickers took the lead and shortly after Remi was by my said again while Snickers was running well. We were in position to take the hare when the rabbit did an "S" run instead of a circle. With Remi on a leash we went up to where Snickers was running. I saw a glimpse of the hare again and moved in closer. When we were in position again the hare didn't come back, once again. While Snickers was running the hare in small circles above us we waited for it to drop back down towards us. Nothing. Snickers ran the hare for about an hour and a half total and Logan and I couldn't get in front of it.
We moved on towards the old downed Popular tree. The logging operation has really done a number and cleaned out our favorite spot. It still seems to be holding hare as Snickers got the start on a familiar running hare that we seemed to have ran before. Logan and I were in position but must have been looking the other way as the hare crossed up where the old Popular tree used to be. We moved down to where Snickers got the start and waited. The hare turned up instead of down and crossed back in the same spot that we missed seeing it earlier. I had Logan go back up there while I waited down low. The hare crossed up where Logan was twice more but he didn't see it. On a run out deep Snickers must have picked up another hare. It sounded like the same hare that we ran earlier in the morning, small circles in the same area as before. Meanwhile Remi picked up a hare behind us and pushed it out across the trail between Logan and I. I caught a glimpse of it as it went into the thick stuff and I settled in to wait for it to cross the logging road. Remi pushed on slowly and bumped the hare just enough to cross about 40 yards in front of me. Dad's 20 gauge single shot barked and the hunt was over. I hollared "Dead Bunny" in honor of Lanny and Snickers and Logan started celebrating. He came running over and we took pictures. He headed up the logging road with the hare and Remi and I went out after Snickers. She was still running the hare. After 2 hours of running she had to have been tired. I tried to set up on the hare once as she came closer but didn't pick the right spot. I cut off Snickers as she came through and headed for the truck. Logan was there at the truck as we came out on the Buckley's driveway.
Snickers has given me a new excitement towards rabbit hunting and I look forward to more hunts to come. Remi isn't packing with her yet but I am hoping that the summer running together will help with that. I have decided to give Remi a chance and only sell Bailey. We will see how that goes. I will have to determine a deadline for progression for Remi before enough is enough. Snickers is 8 years old now and I will need to utilize her the best that I can while she is healthy. If Remi won't work I need to get a pup under her soon to make sure she can help train it. Time will tell….
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
1/17/2010 - St. Albans, VT
Date of hunt: 1/17/2010
Location: Corey Cushing's
Weather: Sunny
Temperature: 38 °F (Start) 38°F (End)
Companions: Alone
Dogs of mine: Belvidere Bailey & Flanders Remi
# of Rabbits Ran: 2
# of Rabbits Shot: 0
What is 38 degrees supposed to be like for running conditions? I thought pretty good, but apparently one of two things was not right. Either the running conditions or my dogs. I'm leaning towards my dogs. The dogs couldn't run a rabbit for the life of them. It took about an hour to get the first start. Bailey got the jump but never saw it. The rabbit busted out of the thicket that Bailey was in and I watched it run straight up the hill and out of sight, about 80 yards. You would think that a straight line would be ideal for the dogs. Bailey doesn't know how to run a straight line! She would run about 10 yards straight and then turn left off the scent and then realize that she was off it and go back looking for it. Remi would pick up the scent and run with for a short time before Bailey came busting in from behind because she just has to be in front. But she can't handle the front! The lead dog plows through the snow enough to wipe out the scent for the dog in the back. It was one dog running and Bailey always had to be the one dog, and she can't hanlde it. Together they ran it about 100 yards before loosing it. After a long check I saw the rabbit come back to towards me and it held tight in a thicket just in front of me. I called in the dogs and Bailey was the first one to respond. She got the jump again. The rabbit busted out of the thicket straight up the hill again. Again, Bailey zig zagged it right out of sight, about 40 yards, and then Remi joined in. They ran it together for a couple hundred yards before loosing it all together. The running conditions weren't optimal for the dogs as the punched thru the crust and sunk in about 4 inches every step, but come on! Run a rabbit! AGH!
I made my way across the clearing with hope of kicking up another rabbit on the other side. After searching for about a half hour Remi got the jump and a short sight chase. The rabbit quickly pulled away from Remi as she sunk in too much when she was trying to run. They didn't run the rabbit 40 yards before loosing it and then played a long game of short runs and check for another 45 minutes. I finally called off the dogs and headed home. Quite disappointed.
Location: Corey Cushing's
Weather: Sunny
Temperature: 38 °F (Start) 38°F (End)
Companions: Alone
Dogs of mine: Belvidere Bailey & Flanders Remi
# of Rabbits Ran: 2
# of Rabbits Shot: 0
What is 38 degrees supposed to be like for running conditions? I thought pretty good, but apparently one of two things was not right. Either the running conditions or my dogs. I'm leaning towards my dogs. The dogs couldn't run a rabbit for the life of them. It took about an hour to get the first start. Bailey got the jump but never saw it. The rabbit busted out of the thicket that Bailey was in and I watched it run straight up the hill and out of sight, about 80 yards. You would think that a straight line would be ideal for the dogs. Bailey doesn't know how to run a straight line! She would run about 10 yards straight and then turn left off the scent and then realize that she was off it and go back looking for it. Remi would pick up the scent and run with for a short time before Bailey came busting in from behind because she just has to be in front. But she can't handle the front! The lead dog plows through the snow enough to wipe out the scent for the dog in the back. It was one dog running and Bailey always had to be the one dog, and she can't hanlde it. Together they ran it about 100 yards before loosing it. After a long check I saw the rabbit come back to towards me and it held tight in a thicket just in front of me. I called in the dogs and Bailey was the first one to respond. She got the jump again. The rabbit busted out of the thicket straight up the hill again. Again, Bailey zig zagged it right out of sight, about 40 yards, and then Remi joined in. They ran it together for a couple hundred yards before loosing it all together. The running conditions weren't optimal for the dogs as the punched thru the crust and sunk in about 4 inches every step, but come on! Run a rabbit! AGH!
I made my way across the clearing with hope of kicking up another rabbit on the other side. After searching for about a half hour Remi got the jump and a short sight chase. The rabbit quickly pulled away from Remi as she sunk in too much when she was trying to run. They didn't run the rabbit 40 yards before loosing it and then played a long game of short runs and check for another 45 minutes. I finally called off the dogs and headed home. Quite disappointed.
1/10/2010 - Lowell, VT
Date of hunt: 1/10/2010
Location: Doug Duffy's
Weather: Sunny
Temperature: 1 °F (Start) 9 °F (End)
Companions: Logan Abell
Dogs of mine: Bailey & Remi
# of Rabbits Ran: 0
# of Rabbits Shot: 0
Logan and I left Milton by 8am and got to Lowell at around 9. There was a lot of powder and I figured the hunting would be hard. We geared up the dogs with their collars and us with our snowshoes. We parked inside the gate to the Buckley's camp. Wayne, the care taker of the camp, let us inside the gate after he plowed. We were to put the cable up, but leave the lock unlocked for the fuel truck. As we went down the old logging road we were sinking in about 12 inches each step and the dogs were sinking about 8. There were a lot of hare tracks crossing the road and Bailey got the first start. Together they worked the feeder trail about a hundred yards before loosing it. The dogs were struggling to keep on the track as they could barely keep their head above the snow. All morning long they were barking on feeder trails, but never got anything moving. There were feeder tracks everywhere! I wish the conditions were better. Our feet were starting to get cold around 11 and we decided to head up towards the truck. I gathered up the dogs and headed for home. Maybe next time.
Location: Doug Duffy's
Weather: Sunny
Temperature: 1 °F (Start) 9 °F (End)
Companions: Logan Abell
Dogs of mine: Bailey & Remi
# of Rabbits Ran: 0
# of Rabbits Shot: 0
Logan and I left Milton by 8am and got to Lowell at around 9. There was a lot of powder and I figured the hunting would be hard. We geared up the dogs with their collars and us with our snowshoes. We parked inside the gate to the Buckley's camp. Wayne, the care taker of the camp, let us inside the gate after he plowed. We were to put the cable up, but leave the lock unlocked for the fuel truck. As we went down the old logging road we were sinking in about 12 inches each step and the dogs were sinking about 8. There were a lot of hare tracks crossing the road and Bailey got the first start. Together they worked the feeder trail about a hundred yards before loosing it. The dogs were struggling to keep on the track as they could barely keep their head above the snow. All morning long they were barking on feeder trails, but never got anything moving. There were feeder tracks everywhere! I wish the conditions were better. Our feet were starting to get cold around 11 and we decided to head up towards the truck. I gathered up the dogs and headed for home. Maybe next time.
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