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Crazy as a March Hare

Hare Rabbit

Outdoors Magazine

Vermont --(Ammoland.com)- Hares have an interesting place in the English language.

Have you ever heard the phrase “Mad as a March hare” and wondered where it came from?

March is the breeding season for hares, thus their odd behavior of boxing and jumping during this time of year.

This is not a new phenomenon, and the earliest written testament to it was circa 1500, in Blowbol’s Test reprinted by W. C. Hazlitt in Remains Early Popular Poetry of England, 1864.

It states, “Thanne [th]ey begyn to swere and to stare, And be as braynles as a Marshe hare.”

In hunting circles, the phrase derived from a male hare’s (bucks) tendency to travel several miles to breed with a female (doe) during the month of March. When a hunter’s dog would disturb the buck, he would return to his home area miles away with the dog often in pursuit.

This meant the hunters would either lose their dog or have to travel miles to find it.

The phrase “hare-brained” refers to the same behavior. This is also old and is referenced in Edward Hall’s Chronicle, 1548: “My desire is that none of you be so unadvised or harebrained [sic] as to be the occasion that …”

Other interesting facts about hares include that the rabbit in Bambi named Thumper derived its name from a female hares’ tendencies with her young. Hares do not live in the ground like cottontails, so they have their young above ground and the babies (leverets) spread out to hide so that if one is discovered by a predator it will not find the entire clutch. When it is time for the young to nurse, the mother hare will “thump” her back foot rapidly to call them in to feed.

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Each month Outdoors Magazine shines its spotlight on different areas of the outdoors world. Features and sub-features are multiple page spreads written by select experts in their fields. In addition to features and sub-features, each month Outdoors Magazine has over 40 columns written by real guides, industry experts, and the best in their fields. Our staff are die-hards who take the time out of their lives hunting and fishing to write. For more information, sponsorship opportunities, and expanded article descriptions, visit www.outdoorsmagazine.net.

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Arizona Offers Extensive Hunting For Deer, Javelina, Quail, Duck & Rabbit – All In Season
By Doug Burt, public information officer

Arizona Offers Extensive Hunting For Deer, Javelina, Quail, Duck & Rabbit

Arizona Game and Fish Department

PHOENIX, AZ – -(Ammoland.com)- Now that we’re into the new year, the Arizona Game and Fish Department wants to remind sportsmen and women that January offers a wide variety of hunting opportunities.

Getting back into the field can help you burn off some of those holiday treats as well.

The recent winter cold fronts provide the perfect conditions for hunting deer, javelina, ducks, geese, quail and rabbits.

Deer: Archery-only deer season runs through Jan. 31 with open areas throughout the state allowing the harvest of any antlered mule or white-tailed deer. Nonpermit-tags are required and can be purchased over-the-counter from Game and Fish or any license dealer.

Javelina: Archery-only javelina season runs through Jan. 20 and hunters have two options for a tag. Nonpermit-tags for metro and outlying units are available for purchase over-the-counter from Game and Fish and any license dealer. Additionally, leftover permit-tags for a number of surrounding units around the state are available from Game and Fish offices on a first-come, first-served basis.

Quail: Open through Feb. 6, Gambel’s quail populations are healthy in many of their traditional areas. Now is the time of the year when smaller family groups gather into larger coveys. Finding these coveys might take some extra walking, but the reward should be worth it.

Ducks: The mountain zone closes Jan. 16, but desert zone hunters have through Jan. 30. With the recent cold snaps, this is the time to get after ducks. Mapping out your quail hunting trips around tanks, water holes, streams, and river corridors can be very productive. To get the full duck hunting experience, put on some waders, throw out a dozen decoys and watch the skies for ducks on cupped wings.

Rabbits: The year-long season is good for cottontail rabbits and jackrabbits. Hunting for these wary creatures is fun, challenging, and never-ending excitement – not to mention they are both good in the cook pot.

Start the New Year off getting some exercise and taking part in an American tradition – go hunting.

For big game hunting information on deer and javelina, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw

For quail, rabbit and duck hunting information, visit www.azgfd.gov/hunting.

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