European hares and rabbits.

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Originally Posted by falconer

Good morning fellow hunters. As i stated in my last submission Jan 29th. My Goshawk passed away on Dec 23rd. nevertheless I kept going out looking and I certainly found the signs they were out there. For the most part I saw single tracks. I would find the tracks as they entered the fields. It looks to me, as if the population is indeed getting a bit better. I can see by the tracks the hares are beginning to act more like Cotton tails. never going too far from cover. This is likely to stay safe from Coyotes. Anyway, I would be really pleased if some of the guys who have succeeded in hunting the hares could tell me a bit about how they actually hunt them. When i have gone looking, it appears they flush way out in front of me. I look forward to your feedback. Oh, and i will be out there next year with a new hawk. Its not over till we catch one!! Thanks

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For the most part that's the hunting edge.
I envision you posted at a vantage point with bird at the ready in a blocking point. You'll need a partner to trek the fence line sort of driving the Jack to your position. Hand held radio would help communicate direction of travel so if your not in the right spot can relocate.

Good afternoon Bowjob. When you say "rabbit poop" are you referring to European Hare aka Jacks, or Cotton Tailed rabbits? Looking forward to your feedback. Thanks

Great comments finsfurfeathers. Back in the day we would form a line while having a few hawks on either end of the line ready to go as the hare would be flushed. Now we do not see those numbers, nor are they seen to close to the GTA. If I am doing it now (keeping in mind I did not get to really try it because of the goshawk's passing). I would go out with my dog a small Musterlander and my goshawk on my fist. We would see the tracks . Follow them and look ahead anticipating where the hare may be sitting. Yes I would work tree rows especially the zig zag cedar rail fences or old farm machinery adjacent to fields with hay cropped in it. I also flushed one out of a small wooded lot. The hare had been hunkered down under some fallen tree when the dog flushed it. Would you or any of you guys who hunt hares do things differently? Thanks

Good to hear someone cares ! hawks, owls, coyotes, winter wheat crop. Just slowly killing the population it’s so sad.

Uh yes Jack rabbit hunting! Just need some snow down here in Essex county and it will be game on!

Pesticides back in the day sprayed over farm land killed a lot of rodents and smaller game. This also had a domino effect on birds of pray disappearing. The yotes took care of what ever was left over. When these farming practices stopped the rodents and small game have had time to come back and the birds of pray. The only thing that has changed is farmers rows and cover being cut eliminating habitat . We can blame coyotes/farming practices and over hunting all we want but I'm a strong believer if the habitat is there, the game will be there too. You won't have ducks without water just to give an example.

I agree with you Tom Gobble seen a lot of habitat disappear over the years.
There are still some pockets of Jacks around my area but the yotes are on them like flies on you know what
The yote sightings around here have tripled in the last year

We should get out for a hunt sometime. Like every other falconer in the province I also run a munsterlander. I also run an English cocker who just turned 11 years old but still got plenty of gas in the tank. Feel free to pm me sometime.