Squirrels? What about Rabbits or Hares?

[Ontario Hawken]

I took my .50 cal percussion cap Hawken out on Sunday for Snowshoe Hares (at a balmy -10 C or 14 F). After seeing a lot of tracks and only one hare I worked along the western edge of a White Pine plantation bordered by prickly ash. I saw one hare in the ash and he moved ahead and out of view as I pulled the gun up. I saw more movement to my right and there were two more hares in plain view under a pine. I shouldered the BP and nothing; replaced the cap, still nothing. At this point a .22 seemed like a far better choice.

I then moved a few steps away and turned my back on the hares to avoid showing movement. It turns out the cap must have been wet as the powder had plugged the nipple. I took off the nipple, cleaned it and replaced the cap. When I turned back the hare was still there. I fired and hit the hare (the ball entrance in the right shoulder and exit through the neck).

I then reloaded with 40 gr of powder and moved a few steps forward and saw the first hare still in the prickly ash facing me. I fired and oddly he didn’t move; 2 seconds later he fell backwards will all four feet in the air (ball entered the and exited the right cheek, taking off half the head). I think he must have flinched when the cap went off and turned his head slightly so as to get this angled hit.

I reloaded again and got a few glimpses of the third hare through the prickly ash, but figured I shouldn’t be too greedy and didn’t pursue him further.

With the first hair I was surprised at the lack of bloodshot in the meat. The hit looked more like an arrow impact than a 175 gr round ball. The hares are in the freezer and the cat is still eating heart, liver and kidney…

Overall, a good day out. As for the BP hunting – as much as it’s a pain I think I’m hooked.