DIY Snowshoe Hare Hunting in New York’s Adirondack Mountains
Story & Photos By Chris Ingram
I tried my best to shake off the shivers as I zipped up my coat and shoved my cold hands deep into my pockets where the “Hot Hands” had been given only a mere minute to warm up. The sky was clear and the air was still as the sun began peeking its way through the snow-covered conifers that carpeted the mountainside. It was a balmy early February morning, with the mercury hovering just above the freezing point. Although there was about a solid foot of snowpack on the ground, a fresh dusting fell overnight, lending to prime scenting conditions for our hunt. As Tom and Matt collared the dogs, their excited whimpers signaled they were ready to get to work as a shared anticipation grew between both hunters and hounds. As the tailgate dropped and the dogs took chase into the timber, I let out a cathartic sigh of contentment, for chasing beagles and bunnies during the winter months in the North Country is about as good as it gets.
As a geology geek, history buff, and avid outdoorsman, the iconic Adirondack Mountains (ADK) of eastern Upstate New York have always sung their siren song to me. Let’s get one thing out of the way right off. The Adirondack Park is a unique historic landmark, an iconic wilderness landmass, and a conservation masterpiece unlike anything else in the contiguous United States. At 6 million acres (larger than Yellowstone, The Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon National Parks combined), it’s the largest publicly protected area in the lower 48. And with 2.6 million state-owned acres — the majority of it open to hunting — it’s easy to see how the ADK ranks high as a DIY public land hunter’s paradise. Now the best part … all of this is completely free. There’s no ticketed entry or gated access points. The Adirondacks are open to everyone, all the time.
Although I claim the nearby Green Mountains of Vermont as my home — and spend a fair amount of time ambling about in my home range — there is an undeniable mystique and novel experience that is unique to the ADK. Their distinctive landforms, particular natural history, charming culture, and vast expanse of remote wilderness is unmatched in this region of the country. With so much to do and so much open land to do it on, this ancient mountain chain is the perfect year-round playground for any DIY hunter, angler, hiker, camper, and outdoor aficionado. The sheer amount of open running ground, abundant game, and accessibility make it a definite destination for the rabbit hunter.
Prior to any ADK adventures, I had done a fair amount of chasing cottontails through the farmlands and woodlots of the Champlain Valley of Vermont. There’s certainly some good hunting to be had and room to roam, but there are times a run is cut short by a private property boundary or by cottontails that head into a hole before the hunt heats up. It’s not uncommon for a hunt there to last a few hours and jump between a handful of smaller covers. Not so in the big woods of the Adirondacks. Not only can you hike unimpeded for miles and miles, but the hare also run big, taking hounds and hunters on large circles and long chases to extend everyone’s enjoyment into all-day hunts. During the winter, the wide-ranging buck hare can at times take right off in a beeline to nowhere, making you second guess if the dogs jumped a deer. Pay close attention to their barks and bawls to indicate they are in fact staying true to the track. With such an abundance of these big-footed bunnies, it’s also not uncommon for the dogs to jump a second hare and turn the chase into a split race.
The terrain itself is also leveled-up from the cake-walk farm country where the cottontail hunter is familiar with staying flat-footed. The Adirondacks vary from steep, craggy rock outcroppings to soggy, boot-stealing wetlands to thick, old-growth boreal forests. You’ll want to make sure you don a sturdy pair of boots and come prepared for all types of weather and conditions. During the winter months, a good set of snowshoes can be the key to getting around efficiently in deep snow. Another tool to assist hunters headed into the backcountry is reliable handheld radios. It’s easier than you might think to get disoriented and turned around, especially in a thick timber stand on a cloudy day. A walk in this park is sure to be unlike anything you and your dogs have experienced before. As formidable as it may sound, the endless beauty and diversity of flora, fauna, and habitat is soul-satisfying when coupled with the sound of the hounds echoing through the trees.
My buddy Matt Keith of Vermont agrees about the allure of chasing hare in this enchanting arena. “I really enjoy rabbit hunting,” he declares, “but I can’t put my finger on exactly why.” “It’s just my love of beagles; listening to my dogs start a rabbit and run it and watching them work.” He’s been hunting this area since the ‘80s and appreciates the wildness and beauty of the landscape. “There’s a low human population and vast stretches of wilderness,” he adds. “You can really get way far back in the woods out here.”
Our mutual friend Tom Doyle hails from these hills and has spent the last thirty years hunting hare and running beagles through them. He’s also been raising his own line of dogs for the past 12 years and runs them as much as he can, along with guiding and buddy hunting during the season. Much like Matt and I, Tom fancies the simple pleasures when asked what draws him to this pursuit in this place. “Getting together with buddies, the camaraderie, and the music the beagles put on,” he affirms. “And now that my kids are old enough, getting them out there and keeping the tradition going.” Although he hunts as often as he can, he’s very partial to the winter months. “There’s just something about running on snow compared to bare ground. The rabbits [hare] have already changed color and there’s tracks on the ground. The dogs also seem to run better when they can use their eyes as well.”
What appeals the most to me about this way of hunting — and I imagine is the same for others — is the ability to slowly saunter through the woods to take in every sight, scent, and sound of the entire experience. Watching the dogs work on the handheld and listening to the story unfold through their excited vocalizations allows hunters ample time to visit, share stories, and make lifelong memories together. I look forward to these hunts every year to catch up with old friends, cut up with new ones, and get the updates on everyone’s pack. Through the years, we get to witness new pups turn on as the seasoned veterans retire from their ranks. We return to our favorite haunts and discover new prospects along the way. We rarely fill our limits on a day’s hunt, but for us, watching a close-working pack of honest beagles with some well-matched races and the chance to fill our minds with bawls and bays, we always end up leaving the woods fully satisfied with time well spent. As time goes on, the chase never seems to truly end, rather, what we’re really after isn’t something you can hold in your hand or stuff in your vest.
Plan Your DIY ADK Hare Hunt
- Bring plenty of dog power and plan to rotate and run dogs with your buddies. A single hound can certainly do the job, but like anything else with beagles, the more the better.
- Winter is an ideal time to hunt the Adirondacks, but plan accordingly. A 4WD vehicle outfitted with proper gear and essentials can really come in handy and keep you comfortable.
- Plan for snow … sometimes lots of snow. Reports vary widely, but average seasonal snowfall in some areas of the ADKs can be upwards of 50 to 100+ inches.
- This winter wonderland can also be cold. Daily low temperatures are typically in the single digits in January and February, with some days dipping well below zero, that, with any wind can be downright bone-chilling. Pack your parka and plenty of warm layers.
- Looking for lodging and a launch point? There are several sleepy mountain towns that offer cozy accommodations, amenities, and accessibility to hunting, including Saranac Lake, Lake Placid, Tupper Lake, Schroon Lake, Old Forge, Speculator, and Long Lake to name a few.
- Leave your pistol at home. New York does not recognize pistol permits from other states.
- ADK Snowshoe Hare Season: October 1, 2024, through March 16, 2025, from sunrise to sunset with a daily bag limit of six.
- For licensing information, visit: https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/sporting-and-use/sporting/hunting-license
- Head to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation for the full list of hunting regulations: https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/regulations