If you enjoy the forum please consider supporting it by signing up for a NES Membership The benefits pay for the membership many times over.
Be sure to enter the NES/MFS May Giveaway ***Canik METE SFX***
Im actually bringing my shooting glasses....perscription....and have wrap around protection. May block some cold windI wonder, would ski goggles help? Looking forward to your report
sporting clays would be best. However we had no access to that so shot trap.....but rather than mounting the gun first called clays from the low ready and tried to hit the clay as fast as possible to practice quick mount and fire. That paid off! Those rabbits dont show themselves for a long time! Also i patterned the guns with my son using ic mod and full sonhe would understand why we used ic chokes.....in tight brush like we were hunting 20 yards is a long shot. Most are 10 yards! The whole experience was awesom....i have a pretty tough kid the weather the first two days was challenging at -18 and then rain the next. Not one complaint from him! Thats all part of raising a well rounded boy too and this trip helped.Very nice. I'll be keeping this in mind for when my grandson is old enough.
What aspect of practice do you think paid off most, as far as the shooting went?
Hasenpfeffer (braised peppered hare) set to simmer! Thats two rabbits in red wine black peppercorns chicken stock shallots garlic and bacon! Going to serve with mashed taters! View attachment 160730
Hasenpfeffer (braised peppered hare) set to simmer! Thats two rabbits in red wine black peppercorns chicken stock shallots garlic and bacon! Going to serve with mashed taters! View attachment 160730
Not sure how snowshoe hare hunting is in mass actually never targeted them down here. I'll say I've never seen any in the woods where I hunt that's for sure. However in North Central Maine where I've been hunting them they are everywhere. When we are driving up the logging roads to get to the covers we are going to hunt there arw hare tracks everywhere. They prefer areas that have been logged out and regrown with hemlock......THICK hemlock that creates dark shady woods that are almost impossible to walk through. They dont burrow underground like cottontail rabbit they spend their whole life above ground.....even the young are born in a shallow nest on the ground usually under a thick hemlock. You reqlly need beagles to get them moving.How’s the snowshoe hare hunting here in MA? Been watching some vids on it and it looks fun. Like the idea of using a 22 to preserve the meat.
Yeah love watching the Beagles work.Not sure how snowshoe hare hunting is in mass actually never targeted them down here. I'll say I've never seen any in the woods where I hunt that's for sure. However in North Central Maine where I've been hunting them they are everywhere. When we are driving up the logging roads to get to the covers we are going to hunt there arw hare tracks everywhere. They prefer areas that have been logged out and regrown with hemlock......THICK hemlock that creates dark shady woods that are almost impossible to walk through. They dont burrow underground like cottontail rabbit they spend their whole life above ground.....even the young are born in a shallow nest on the ground usually under a thick hemlock. You reqlly need beagles to get them moving.
My boy is 17 now! Probably one more year left to do these hunts before he's college bound. Gotta do these trips while I have the chance.Good luck on your hunt this year. Always a great time hunting with the kids.
My kid is playing baseball for college this year, so I'm headed to Florida to watch some of his and the Sox spring training games.
I was going to book a hog hunt while we were down there, but I think I'm just going to relax instead.
The guide is pine Grove lodge. Owner is Bob Howe. He's awesome. It'll be my 4th or 5th time hunting with him and his family. $200 a day gets you the hunt, all 3 meals, snowshoes, transport to and from the hunting areas, and lodging. All you need is clothes, a gun, ammo and your license. Food is always amazing......Hot lunch served trailside on with coffee if you get cold and want to come back to the truck to warm up. They have a great veteran discount. We have never been skunked on a trip with Bob......Got rabbits on every trip. He knows where to go.They are faster than you think and it's tough getting a clear shot. Don't shoot the dog or the guide will shoot you. The guide told me to shoot it in the head so I wouldn't ruin the meat. After two missed attempts I got one but in the middle and blasted it all to heck.
Fun, cold and humbling. Please post details of your guide service and approximate cost
Most fun I ever have hunting is snow shoe hare with beagles. It's an absolute blast. If you've never done it with a guide I highly recommend it.Have fun and shoot straight!
Most fun I ever have hunting is snow shoe hare with beagles. It's an absolute blast. If you've never done it with a guide I highly recommend it.
On the 410.....I have a Henry lever action 410. I've hunted plenty of grey squirrel with it and its great for that.....A challenge because I have to wait for a closer shot.Whacko, have a great time. Hope the weather is good and hares are plentiful.
I used to go every year for 4-5 days, Machias Maine. The guy I used to go with passed away years ago and with young kids and family I guess things changed for me. We had some fun times and great memories. .410 was my favorite.
I think about it every time I look at my snowshoes hanging on the wall. Good luck!
On the 410.....I have a Henry lever action 410. I've hunted plenty of grey squirrel with it and its great for that.....A challenge because I have to wait for a closer shot.
I've been mulling around using the Henry 410 for this trip because it is a breeze to carry in the woods and well......A lever action shotgun is just cool a hell imo. I'm hesitant because
1. It's a long trip and an expensive one and I don't want to be missing hares when I have a great 12 gauge to use that I know and shoot well.
2. Will the 410 penetrate the thick underbrush to get a hare that is hiding in the cover?
What's your experience with 410 on hares? Do you end up passing up shots becUse you have "less gun"?
Thanks. Yeah I've hunted snowshoes many times but always with a 12 gauge and never had a problem. Was just curious if a 410 would be enough......I might just bring it and see how it goes. The lever 410 is easy to carry in the brush.If you can see the wabbit hiding in th thick stuff you should be ok. The 12 obviously throws more payload, but I don’t ever remember wishing I had a 12g. I also don’t recall thinking I was undergunned, or wounding/loosing any. As you know there isn’t much to a rabbit. I would take both and share the love!
Standing motionless is key, their eyesight is amazing.
Hope this helps.