Display ideas for my snowshoe hare

[JGBowman]

Pennsylvania has a very small snowshoe hare population. The season is 3 days after Christmas and your allowed to take 1 a day. Hares are typically found in select areas, primarily big swaps with lots of thick laurel and rhododendron. Typically, a group of guys will head out to a top secret location where there are hares historically and run them with beagles. Most of time the time one or two guys get one.
I always wanted a PA snowshoe but have never seen one and do not own beagles. A few years ago I moved to an area of the state that has a relatively large hare population for PA. Last year after the season I found what I thought was hare tracks. A few weeks before the season I went back and found more tracks in the same area. On the first day of the season I was the only truck in the game lands parking lot. I still hunted, stopping every 5 or ten yards hoping one would get nervous and move. The only snow on the ground was on top of the frozen ice in the swamp. I was seeing a ton of tracks in the little bunny runs through the laurels. It was extremely frustrating because I knew I was walking by them and couldn't see them. Then on my way back to the truck I worked the sunny side of a high point in the large swamp. Someone told me they like to sit on the sunny side of hill. As I stopped for a second on this high point I seen something move to my right. I can see under a laurel ten yards away an ear and a little bit of a white face. I took a few steps back, aimed a little high so I did not destroy him, and I got my Pa snow shoe hare.

So I am getting the hare freeze dried in a sitting potion. I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for displaying him. May be something I can create or make my self?

Thanks,

Jake

 

[MikeG]

Congrats, its cool to accomplish you're goal regardless of the size of game.

Shoot a wolf or bear and mount the two together as predator and prey.

Nice ring btw, I have the same one.

 

[Rob5589]

I always pictured them as tiny. That dude is beefy. Nice job!

 

[TraderMike]

Cool trophy! I think MikeG had a good suggestion. Even a coyote or fox would make a good predator/prey mount and be more attainable and affordable.

 

[GodBlessAmerica]

That’s awesome. Always cool to see something different!

 

[Lonald]

Pennsylvania has a very small snowshoe hare population. The season is 3 days after Christmas and your allowed to take 1 a day. Hares are typically found in select areas, primarily big swaps with lots of thick laurel and rhododendron. Typically, a group of guys will head out to a top secret location where there are hares historically and run them with beagles. Most of time the time one or two guys get one.
I always wanted a PA snowshoe but have never seen one and do not own beagles. A few years ago I moved to an area of the state that has a relatively large hare population for PA. Last year after the season I found what I thought was hare tracks. A few weeks before the season I went back and found more tracks in the same area. On the first day of the season I was the only truck in the game lands parking lot. I still hunted, stopping every 5 or ten yards hoping one would get nervous and move. The only snow on the ground was on top of the frozen ice in the swamp. I was seeing a ton of tracks in the little bunny runs through the laurels. It was extremely frustrating because I knew I was walking by them and couldn't see them. Then on my way back to the truck I worked the sunny side of a high point in the large swamp. Someone told me they like to sit on the sunny side of hill. As I stopped for a second on this high point I seen something move to my right. I can see under a laurel ten yards away an ear and a little bit of a white face. I took a few steps back, aimed a little high so I did not destroy him, and I got my Pa snow shoe hare.

So I am getting the hare freeze dried in a sitting potion. I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for displaying him. May be something I can create or make my self?

Thanks,

Jake View attachment 150836View attachment 150837View attachment 150839View attachment 150838

How about inside a glassed in end or coffee table

 

[stonewall]

Cool story. Thanks for sharing

I’m of a different opinion on this one. Typically predator prey mounts only highlight the predator. I’d keep this guy solo and the focal point. Plus this could be a small creative piece that could have multiple homes in the home. A massive piece with another animal not so much

 

[Blockcaver]

The snowshoe would look great with the lynx I got 2 days ago. They go together perfectly!

 

[hammerguy]

WOW - great wabbit!
I think that ground you have photographed would make a nice display, with the dried tans of the pine needles, leaves, and some pine cones contrasting with the white hare.

I'd get a round from a good size pine tree and build up some "dirt" with cement or clay. Get a can of spray adhesive, coat liberally, and put down some dirt. Once dry, dump a bunch of those pine needles, strategically place some leaves and pine cones, and let dry.
Put the bunny atop the pile.
Should look fantastic.

 

[stonewall]

Hers my idea:
Oval base. Dark for foundation. Then build habitat on top of that. If snow, I like dark sticks behind hare flowing over and into scene. Maybe red berries on it (if that’s a thing up there). Or since no snow on ground actually same idea but natural stuff from the area as suggested.

Pic for inspiration of the sketch...

 

[Rich M]

Congratulations!

Back in the day (80s and 90s) we used to hunt them in VT. Great memories there. That and ruffed grouse & woodcock hunting. We used to keep a never-ending pot of stew (whatever small game that got shot) going whenever we were up there enjoying the winter.

Tracking the hares in the snow is a lot of fun - get down on all 4s and crawl thru the thick stuff, then there it is sitting there looking at you... Never realize how big they are until you hold one up.

We'd also do rabbit drives - usually with someone following tracks and got more numbers that way but not as much fun.

I got nothing on the best way to have one mounted, whatever helps you enjoy it best.

If I was to recreate a scene, it would have fake snow, dead pine limbs, and an overhanging realistic pine bough. Seemed like 9 time out of 10 they were under some kind of cover.

 

[timberland]

Back in the 80's it seemed like the daily limit in WI was 10-15/day and three or four month season. now limit is a lot less I believe. Haven'tt hunted them in years but have shot over a hundred. Hard to imagine a hare season more limited than deer.

 

[T3clay]

Build yourself a glass cube coffee table to put him in

 

[T3clay]

 

[Werty]

Get a rug done. I've personally have never seen a hare rug

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Get a rug done. I've personally have never seen a hare rug

the hide is so thin on those things it’s like paper. The first one I killed, I skinned it and brain tanned the hide just to try it, the skin tears so easily it’s hard to do.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

This was one of the ones I got.

 

[HuntInWild88]

If doing a snow scene I Highly recommend having it incased in glass.. if you dont over the years the snow will collect dust and theres really no good way to clean it. So soon enough your perfect white snow will turn brownish.
Congrats on a great hare!!

 

[huntabsarokee]

Figured you being a newlywed and its almost Valentine's day there would be some lingerie in the mix for that hare.


Maybe use it as an excuse to go on a predator hunt and mount with a linx or bobcat.

 

[JGBowman]

Thank for all the ideas!

Last week the guy freeze drying my hare came a cross an issue. When he cleaned up my hare he realized it was more damaged than we thought, specifically the one front leg. He said than a normal sitting position would show the imperfections and the mount would not look good.

I was pretty bummed but I quick called him back with another idea. When its done I will share with you All.

Thanks again,

Jake