The American Beagler Forum

How many of you WV guys are running this weekend? I have always tended to "hole up" on days where there is 6"-8" + inches of snow cause I didnt think the rabbits would be out much. Well we have over a foot now and more coming. Would I be wasting my time going out this weekend?

I have been running in the snow every chance I get. At SWVBC December Large Pack Trial it was ran on snow with every class having good running. Where we hold our trial at the rabbits seemed to be out in full force. Give it a try, should be fun.

Ryan

i havent this year but in years past after the snow would be on for a few days the dogs just pounded those bunnies or catch it just starting to really come down

I am not in WV but just north of you in PA. We have our fair share right now, right around 8 inches. Supposed to get another two to four tomorrow and then another two to four Friday as well. I usually go out in any type of weather mainly because I just don't get the opportunity to get out as often as I like. I am pretty much limited to Saturdays and even those get messed up a lot. Can't say the dogs do great every time out but they hold their own. My biggest concern when we have that much snow is that the rabbits seem to run to the hole much quicker. Sometimes almost immediately! They seem to have a hard time getting around in that much snow. I watched one last year that seem to kind of swim through the snow which was kind of powdery. The dogs have an advantage and would have caught him if he did not take shelter in that hole and he knew it. If there is a crust on the top the dogs usually are at a disadvantage with sent and they also tend to fall through which makes it tougher on them.

I agree with wvduece. Seems like a day or two after it snows the running is good. My problem is we have been pounded every day lateley. Today is the only break we have had in a while but supposed to get more tomorrow.

I hunt if the wind isn't howling. I am in Pa just north of Cumberland, Md ( and Ridgely, WV). The gusting wind messes with my ability to hear the dog's bell and his ability to hear me... not to mention his nose doesn't seem to work quite as well. Otherwise, the running is good. Seems like, when we first get out, it takes him 10 or 15 minutes to get used to tracking in snow... then all is good. The wind hasn't stopped here in a full week with bitter cold temps...that has slowed me down a lot. The snow hunts are a lot of fun. The dog loves it thoroughly. Only thing, as mentioned before, the bunnies will hole up sooner in the powdery stuff. If you are like me, you enjoy letting the dogs run. If you want or need to bag some( for you or the dog), you may need to shoot them when you jump them. Unless there's snow, I usually won't shoot them when we first jump them so the dog can have some fun... but, you know. If you get some weather over 20 degrees, with little wind, the dogs do well,it's easy to keep warm and it's a blast. Gets you in the woods (fields). That's better than the living room any day.

Joe

Thanks for the input guys. We are supposed to get hammered in the next 24 hours, so I dont know if it will be worth going on Sat or not. Just like PA Beagler, I only get Saturdays and most of them have been messed up this season. I have only been out once. Not a very productive season so far. If the snow ever stops mid week sometime, it should make for some good weekend running. Let me know how you all do in the 12"+ inches of snow if you are out this week. Thanks!!

Mike

Pouring The Snow Down In Charleston Right Now.Haven't Seen The Ground Since Before Christmas.Going To Go Out Tomorrow After Noon See If We Can't Put Some Rabbits On The Run

Went for a couple hours this afternoon. Three jumps with very short races. Had four females down and they hunted hard. I mean getting in everything and looking for one
the whole time. I think these kind of days are character building for your hounds in your eyes. They were working hard when there was not much action to be had. I was proud
of how they hustled and did all they could. Great to get out anytime, good or bad weather. Good luck to you all!!

I love running in the snow! Thats the only good I have found for autumn olive spreading everywhere, the fact that I jump rabbits underneath during deep snows. I agree with everyone else a day or 2 later is best. I ran the Wed. before Christmas and the rabbits could run on top in places and would just disappear every now and then. The snow drifts were up to my knee (Im 6'4"). the only down side is that I've had a dog get torn feet if the top crust freezes. I forgot vasoline.