Sunday Bunny Hunt-New Hampshire Style

[Huntrdfk]

Hunter and I still have the urge to hunt, and in New Hampshire in March that pretty much means Snowshoe Hares, which means we have to go north.  This winter is on the verge of breaking the all time record for snowfall amounts, so we knew this wouldn't be easy, but we were both up for it so we threw the snowshoes and bows in the truck and headed north, 124 miles north to be exact!  Along the way we passed Mt Washington, the highest peak in the northeast, and home of the highest recorded winds in the world.(231mph) Even though it was a bluebird day, Mt Washington generates it's own weather and this is all she would let us see on the way up...

 

We got to the area we were going to hunt, strapped on the snowshoes and off we went.  Here is Hunter at the beginning of the hunt....

 

We hadn't gone 50 yards when a hare exploded from beneath some pines to our left, I thought we were in NY again, I mean that thing was a rocket, even in three feet of snow.  No shots were taken as we continued on.  There was sporadic sign, but it was nice to be out.....I told Hunter to pay attention as at any moment we could stumble upon a moose or two.

We were going along, with me breaking trail when I heard a a commotion behind us. I turned to see this, Hunter with his K-Mag in the air trying to save it from the evil snow monster that had tripped him.....

 

[whitebuffalo]

Great pics,,J

[ishiwannabe]

Looks like a blast David. Nice job saving the bow Hunter.
Snowshoes have always been on my "want to hunt" list. Looks like a lot of fun!

[Huntrdfk]

We hunted for about two hours, then went back out to the "road", to head to another spot......our plans were about to change.  We got to the road and started back and came across the tracks of this cow moose and her calf that had crossed our tracks and were headed right where we just came from.....

 

We were about a half mile from the truck, and just plodding along when I heard breathing behind me.....wait, Hunter was in front of me!  With trepidation I turned to find this furry monster in attack mode, tail wagging and all.

 

We knew that a truck had gone through earlier, so I assumed that our new friend belonged to them.  He would run up to us and stop, then run back out of sight where he came from, then we would continue and he would show up again.  This happened three or four times before he just went ahead of us and led the way. I figured that we would put him in the truck and drive him back where he came from, but just before we got to the truck his owners came up behind us.  We got to talking, he was an old longbow hunter that now concentrates on birds, and he ended up inviting us to his property to hunt rabbits, he had 100 acres a couple of miles away. How good is that! We drove over there and after he told us where the rabbits were, we were on our way...

Here is Hunter shooting at a snow clump.....(Note to self-shooting at clumps of snow when there is three plus feet on the ground results in lost arrows!    )

 

Just after he took that shot we found out just how much snow there is.....He is standing "tall" here

 

We saw very little rabbit sign here, but did see a lot of this....

 

Here at the end of the hunt, after about 2 1/2 miles on snowshoes in deep, deep snow....looks a little beat, don't you think?

 

While we didn't see many rabbits, (1), I think they were still holed up some as it just stopped snowing last night up there. Craig, and his wife Kathy were wonderful people, and invited both of us bakc to hunt there land later in March when there is less snow on the ground.  I told him we would take him up on that, and we will.

We were treated on the ride home to a clear view of the summit of Mt Washington, which doesn't happen often.....

 


All in all, a pretty good day!


David

[vermonster13]

Excellent day guys! Thanks for sharing it!

[VTer]

Thanks for inviting us along Dave. I had fun!

[adkmountainken]

great pic's, thanks for sharing! looks like hunter is still representing team pink proud!!!

[JEFF B]

thank you dave.looks like you guys had a ball

[Steven Matthew]

Very nice story, and the warmth of your feelings towards that young man radiates right thru.  You are both lucky people to spend such nice day and to spend it together.

Steve

[Larry Surtees]

Enjoyed!  Thanks for sharing!

[Killdeer]

Nice to see him carrying that cool K-Mag, too!
Thanks for the wonderful pics. It was a grand adventure for you both, plus you picked up another place to hunt. Great day all around!

Killdeer  

[4runr]

Very cool David and Hunter!

[Guru]

Too cool brother!!  Great px of what I'm sure was an even finer day for the two of you.  Hunter sure looks whooped in that picture!!

BTW  My Buddy Jim Harris, who donated the K mag asked about who got it....I told him of our friendship and Hunter....he was tickled!!

[woodchucker]

WOW!!!!! Look at all the SNOW!!!!!!!!!!    :eek:   Looks like LAST years JLMBH LOL.

I'm glad you and Hunter had a GREAT day!!!!!          

[Jeremy]

I see Hunter is still in 'Team Pink' mode!  :D
Great pix my friend!

[Kingstaken]

Way to take one for the bow Hunter.    
Beautiful country. You and your family are blessed.

[Chris Surtees]

Looks like you and Hunter had a great time. He looks  pretty whipped in that pic but bet he would do it all over again.

[Huntrdfk@Work]

Thanks all....as beat as he was at the end he is ready to go again right now, but we'll wait a few weeks.


Jamie, Kathy, Curt, and Jim, he treasures that bow, he will do whatever it takes to protect it.

Curt let your buddy Jim it is being put to good use, and tell him I said thanks for the generous donation.

Ken and Jeremy, he forever a part of "Team Pink", and proud of it too!

David