Fare of hare. Nära skjuter ingen.

We had a discussion about animal models in research and the art and ethics of reproduction some times ag0 ( see " Tjädern och kärleken " in this blog ) . I feel, that it is timely to analyze the behavior of another popular animal, the fores hare of the north part of Sweden. The Figure above depicts a typical track of such a hare, from one resting place (start) to nest rest. It is obviousthat the pattern of movment provides both advantages (chances) and disanadvatages (risks).

The restricted territory of the hare minimized his exposition for sharp noses and keen eyes. Furthermore, it saved energy. the hare had the habit of circus movment. He left the loop with a side jump (drop-out), intended to let a possible tracker re-circulate alone. All drop-outs from loop or track were preceded by back-ward movement. The track and the loops were the same but the resting place was new; the hare never rested at the same place twice for some days or weeks.

Besides many tooted or winged predators, man and hound provided main enemies. Sometimes, hound wass missing due to prgnancy, breast-feeding or poverty. The boys of the family, usually 10 - 15 years of age, were recruited. Ture Berg is one witnss of mine; he put 10-20 hares to the pot in his pre-life period. The trick was slow-motion - the faster the hunt, the wider the loop.

Generally, the hare was not stressed by hunting. He held a distance of respect to hound or boy andgrazed while they caught up. Exceptional hounds were able to catch and kill the hare. Such skill was not rewarded by the marksmen, who were prone to kill the dog, too. Exceptional hares were able to manhandle hounds; the physical wounds of the hound were negligible, the sores of soul lfelasting.

In spite of its obvious advantages, the track often turned out the bane of the hare. Many huntera were familiar with his triks. Marksmen and snares lined his track. the survivors became subtle. The grounds of previous fores fire provided a favorite flight - old ashes in the nose of a dog meant salvation. Roades, water and ices also provided paths of rescure, not to mention wet thickets.

thus, the life and death of the hare provided a model of human life ( Eccl. 9:11)

"The race is not to the swift
or the battle to the strong
nor does food come to the wise
or wealth to the brilliant
or favour to the learned;
but time and chance happen to them all".

mat_hagglof@hotmail.com