Hunting lately

Here in Pennsylvania it's archery season and small game. There was an early "senoir hunt". My mom (72 yrs old) shot a nice sized doe last Thurs. She uses a Marlin 30-30.

We've been out a few times for squirrel and rabbit, but game is scarce. It seems like the cycle has come around to the lean years. Many people attribute it to the increase in coyotes and foxes. I wouldn't argue with them. I did spot a ringed neck on the run, but couldn't get the beagle on the scent to flush him.

Not too many years ago, three of us could go out with one beagle and get 10 - 12 rabbits in a morning. Now we are lucky to get 2 or 3 chases. It becomes hard work busting brush and stomping piles with no game to chase. I think I'll spend this afternoon cleaning my gutters and mowing my yard one last time. Sad.