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.