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Snowshoes are tri-directional vehicles. They go forward fairly well and acceptably to the right or left if steered with careful execution. But backing up is not something built into the design.
I demonstrated this failing when
a rabbit came sneaking in behind
me. He decided to find a healthier
habitat just as I decided to make him my dinner. My first shot missed and he drove into a deep trail in the snow, so that only his ears were visible. I instinctively tried to back up for better alignment, but I did what you always do when attempting to back up fast on snowshoes: I fell. As I extended backward I had a full view of the departing rabbit. Calculating a double lead for the running hare and the falling hunter I pulled the back trigger, and scored a hit!
I spent the next 10 minutes wallowing like a beached whale in the
4-foot-deep snow. The problem is that snow is like very cold quicksand. The best approach is to find a small tree and pull yourself up. But unless said tree is close, it's a tough task. The good news is that if you don't succeed, the snow will melt by June.
Hitting a hare is as tough as shotgunning gets, but hunting rabbits in front of a pack of beagles is the
most mid-winter fun allowed by law-
provided you're willing to accept humiliation as part of the deal.
For more information on hunting
in Vermont, call or e-mail Pete
Richardson (802-744-6174; kimnpete
@together.net)
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