Hare & Grouse habitat and hunting yesterday!!

[Gunner]

Headed north from central PA to tug Hill area for Hare and possibly grouse.

One beagle accompanying me.

Got in the woods ( 3 feet plus snow) with snowshoes on and sank in 15 -28" in the beautiful snow .

We found an older (hours old ) covered up track but couldn't see it much after a few yds .

Hare were hunkered down under the pine boughs .

After an hour of searching/sinking we headed to a no snow forest near Parrish. Found some likely looking cover for hare...but alas no sign ..sad face me..

Just before dark I found a small  clearcut.

Walking in a grouse erupts abruptly away from me 

I take a long shot but it's heading down over a small bank.

Missed apparently.

Flushed another on the way out but the bird was gone in an instant.

Nice day in the 40" plus snow and then bare ground discovering new areas.

I only seen a few people deer hunting.

There's a lot of smaller  forests in new York compared to Pa and their mostly big woods.

I'll be back soon !!

Sorry bout' the Upside down pics ! Format stinks sometimes ugh 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by Gunner
Added snow depth

[airedale]

Man I have to give you credit for giving it a try. I have found that it takes a few days for game animals to settle into a new pattern after the heavy snows first come. Like you said they will hunker down and little by little they will come out of cover and get back into a somewhat normal for them routine. I did not start hunting Hare until after the Northern zone Deer season ended, mostly from mid December through February. The snow settles and gives you a much better base for both you and you dog for getting around and walking. I look forward to hearing how you do this season. 

As soon as Deer season ends I will be out with my Airedale pup and see what we can turn up.

Al

Edited 4 hours ago by airedale

[Gunner]

I don't disturb deer hunters. I was in close proximity of a few when the grouse flew up. I was in an open field. 

I could have pushed one out to them. 

As I was leaving a deer hunter stopped and chatted. He wasn't mad. 

Good guys out there in the woods mostly.  I try to share the land and stay away from other dog hunters .

I may come up north this coming Sunday again. That snow should have a crust by then.