Hunting Snowshoe Hares in Winter?

[moonwolf]

I've thought more about hunting snowshoe (or varying) hare when there is snow on the ground and get out on snowshoes on trails where I know they are around in the woodlands here. I saw a picture the other day of a backwoods guy with a cabin that goes cross country skiing and had bagged a routine bunch of white hares for eating. Looked interesting. Anyone do this sort of winter hunting where you live? How do you enjoy it, and is it successful?
Any exceptional special good snowshoe hare simple recipes to share?

[Haggis]

I haven't been hunting snowshoe hares, but I have been harvesting them by other means; in my case, snares. Herself and I started putting our surplus, above what we are eating, in the freezer, but it's full of deer and a recently butchered hog, so I thought to give a few to our children. The hares were a hit all around, and I have been asked to extend my line of snares.

I check my hare snares while running my regular trap line so it's no bother, and even if I weren't after furbearers running, a line of snares for hares would be good exercise; even children could run a small line of hare or rabbit snares without endangering themselves or others, as they might with a firearm.

As for cooking the hares, we like to parboil the rascals for half an hour, and then fry or bake them, but Herself is going to try them in New Brunswick Stew, our favorite recipe for domestic rabbit.

[fishhead]

Up until a week ago we had snowwhite hares and no snow. Pretty easy hunting.

Once I went out during a snowfall and found a fresh track. I started following it until I caught up to it finally and then missed with my arrow. That hare led me around a circle 3 times before I got a shot but the fresh snow covered up all the other tracks.

[Haggis]

I think that is why a prefer to snare hares or rabbits rather than hunting them. The snares are on the job 24 hours a day, a couple of dozen snares set in good places may be checked on a 10 minute walk, and they will pay off everyday until it is time to relocate them to unharvested grounds.

[alleyyooper]

We have hunted them many ways. Before the snow gets deep with dogs is a good way if you have a good rabbit dog and like the sound of a dog baying on the track. Lots of fun useing a shot gun or a 22 long rifle.
Second way after the snow gets to deep for the dogs is strap on snow shoes and take a slow stroll thru areas with the tracks. Watch for the shiny black eye and shoot them with a 22 long rifle, A shot gun can also be used and can be handy if the rabbit spots you and decides to run for it rather than sit still. Third way we did to make it sporting when they were white and there was no snow. We Have some rather steep hills with deep valleys in this area so we would set up on one hill with our 22 (me a 220 swift.) varmit rifles and glass the oppsite hill for them and pick them off long range. Believe me they have a better chance than you think being so small and 200+ yards away many times and in brush to boot.

We skined them and soaked them in salt water over night then would stew them for a bit and then fry or roast them. We also would make a stew out of them by slow cooking till the meat fell off the bones then add all the veggies and other stuff. Once the meat is slow stewed off the bones you can grind it and make a meat spread.

Yes it is fun and they are good eatting.

Al