Hares

[TringSaint]

Just on the train to Leeds today and in the fields just north of Stevenage the number of hares boxing and chasing each other was really quite amazing.
I counted 8 in the corner of one field and 4 in the next.
Hopefully their numbers will recover a bit as they have certainly dropped in my neck of the woods

 

[Ratel]

We have a fantastic population of hares. The Estate say their damage to cereal crops is minimal as they continue to move along taking a bite here and there. Rabbits however, do serious damage so we keep on top of them by shooting and trapping.
The only hares shot are for our own consumption and done with a rifle. I hate hare drives and would no longer take part in one.

 

[BenBhoy]

We've had more here in last 3 or 4 years then ever. Love seeing them. I don't shoot any. But I love to see them run & turn....

 

[TringSaint]

When I used to do hare coursing (legally) we also did hare catching so redistributing them from over populated areas to under populated areas. Often we would catch 70-100 in a day using long nets and they would then be boxed up and moved.
Helped to reduce the urge for the estates to do big hare shoots.

 

[TringSaint]

We've had more here in last 3 or 4 years then ever. Love seeing them. I don't shoot any. But I love to see them run & turn....

Likewise. I don’t shoot them or partridges - about the only legal quarry I won’t shoot!!

 

[Ratel]

Likewise. I don’t shoot them or partridges - about the only legal quarry I won’t shoot!!

I just like a young one or two September time, roasted and stuffed. Haven't shot Greys for 50 years.

 

[Maran14]

My end of Cheshire are seeing numbers increase too. But, like most others, I leave them alone.
Hopefully a sign that we may see rabbit numbers start to return to normal?

 

[Mungo]

I just like a young one or two September time, roasted and stuffed. Haven't shot Greys for 50 years.

What recipe and cooking times?

 

[Mike1979]

My end of Cheshire are seeing numbers increase too. But, like most others, I leave them alone.
Hopefully a sign that we may see rabbit numbers start to return to normal?

The issue with the rabbit numbers is impacted by the presence of VHD so difficult to know what will happen with their numbers. I see a decent number of hares around home and normally see one each morning on our lane as it potters along in front of the pickup

 

[Tim.243]

When I used to do hare coursing (legally) we also did hare catching so redistributing them from over populated areas to under populated areas. Often we would catch 70-100 in a day using long nets and they would then be boxed up and moved.
Helped to reduce the urge for the estates to do big hare shoots.

I watched Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall take part in a bit of long netting hares for the pot,
Hare caught then next picture was it on the kitchen table, went to OZ sitting with my relative's watching a bit of TV and the same film came on! Completely different with him despatching it then cleaning and skinning!
I like him in the early programs drinking with the locals diving for scallops now he is a MP or something like that.

 

[Ratel]

What recipe and cooking times?

Mixed sage & onion and p&t small glass port to bind with a good lump of Cranberry sauce mixed in. Sew stuffing inside, garlic powder and mixed herbs with oil on outside.
30 mins at 170 and 1.5 max hours at 140 -150. Feeds two if you're hungry with a few pan roast veg.

 

[old keeper]

I haven't seen a hare in my part of Devon for years. When I was keepering, there were a few on the neighbouring estate. I hope they make a return!

 

[User00056]

We have a really strong population here. I stopped shooting them altogether around 40 years ago. Nowadays they're one of my favourite UK mammals

 

[Nickb]

They have exploded in numbers in certain areas up here yet other areas have none.
But on the main a healthy population.

 

[tackb]

Likewise. I don’t shoot them or partridges - about the only legal quarry I won’t shoot!!

i haven't shot hares for years now and only used to take the occasional one for the pot , round our way farmers wanted them gone because of the damage the pikeys did with illegal hare coursing driving all over the fields but i think the rural crime police really got stuck into it and it isn't the issue it used to be

as for partridge , shot literally thousands of Frenchie's and accidentally shot one grey once (inexperience)

 

[Mungo]

Mixed sage & onion and p&t small glass port to bind with a good lump of Cranberry sauce mixed in. Sew stuffing inside, garlic powder and mixed herbs with oil on outside.
30 mins at 170 and 1.5 max hours at 140 -150. Feeds two if you're hungry with a few pan roast veg.

Oh wow.

 

[Bo Diddley]

We have loads on our patch, I counted 40 on one field a few nights ago.
Numbers must be so high because I do such a good job keeping the foxes down .
We never shot any last year, but we generally mop a few up when they are making 5 quid each if we can, .22 Hornet and head shots.

 

[Cyres]

Lots of hares on all my perms. Reduce fox nos and hares have a chance.
F

 

[Rake Aboot]

South Scotland is full of them , which I love

Hate shooting hares !

 

[kenbro]

We have loads on our patch, I counted 40 on one field a few nights ago.
Numbers must be so high because I do such a good job keeping the foxes down .
We never shot any last year, but we generally mop a few up when they are making 5 quid each if we can, .22 Hornet and head shots.

40 in one field must eat a fair amount of expensive grass?
KB.