We had a blast in Upper Wisconsin last week. We only hunted 3 days, for a total of 9-10 hrs. due to the weather, but we shot 2 dozen hare and had the time of our lives. The 1st day was windy and dry, making it "difficult" for the dogs, but we still managed to shoot 6 out of about 12 we jumped. The 2nd day, we shot 6 for 6 in an hour and a half but called it quits after the last one b/c of torrential downpours. The 3rd day, we hunted about 4 hrs. and shot 12 for 12 w/ picture perfect hunting conditions - wet ground and no wind.
A couple hare were all white, but most had started their color change and were 1/2 white 1/2 tan. It took me 3-4 hrs. to get used to their running patterns, speed, and likes/dislikes, but after that, it was all she wrote. I had an absolute blast and am looking forward to going back this fall and again this time next year. Oh boy, do hare taste good too, we had them for dinner two nights in a row :cheesy:
My Branko FC caught a hare, it was the only one we took w/o shooting
The dogs were pounding this hare for about 25 min. and the buck hare came by me about 35 yards out w/ the dogs 20 yds. behind him, but the conifers were just too thick to get a shot. Buddy of mine who was hunting 60-70 yds. away said the same thing. The hare hit a 20 yd. wide semi-open cutover/field and Bo took advantage of it. All I heard was a squeal and then my buddy calling out, Bo got him, Bo caught him. Apparently he caught the hare just as it was heading back into the conifers and shook him a couple times, breaking his neck, then turned, saw my buddy and brought the hare over to him. I was shocked. He's now caught 3 cottontail and 1 hare just this past year. I only saw 1 other cottontail caught this year by another male dog I own.
Sorry for writing a book, now that I've bored everyone, here are some pics of my WI hare hunt, hope you enjoy! Some shots were in pretty gnarly cover, but most we were kneeling so we could shoot under the browse line in the conifers and alders. Extremely beautiful country up there, and no doubt, the sweetest running I've EVER experienced. Can't wait to go back!!!
My Wisconsin hare hunt (story & pics)
