Unlike rabbits, hares do not have burrows. Their entire life is thus spent in the open. Hares prefer to position themselves facing the wind. To do this at all times, no matter what the direction of the wind, they have a choice of forms where they can seek protection.

Hares have many natural enemies and their young are particularly vulnerable.

This is why they reproduce so often. A female hare can raise three to four litters, each composed of two to four young, a year. Young hares are sexually mature by the age of eleven months.

Habitat
Hares live in grasslands and in agricultural regions, both in polders and on the heath. Polder hares are large and heavy and feed on wheat, sugar beets and wild plants. Heath hares are smaller but have a better flavour because they have fed on wild herbs and other plants. Hares caught in November and December usually have a more distinctive game flavour.

As a rule, adult hares weigh 2.5 to 3 kg whilst young hares from two to four months of age already weigh 1 to 1.5 kg. The hunting of hares is permitted between 15 October and 1 January. Not all hares sold in shops during the hunting season come from this country. Most are exported from Eastern Europe and Argentina.

Gastronomy
The saddle (back) is the most delicious part of the hare and is also very quick to prepare: roasting for 15 to 20 minutes will be sufficient. If an entire hare is roasted, the saddle may cook faster than the rest. To prevent overcooking the saddle should be cut free after roasting for 20 minutes and kept warm whilst the legs roast longer. Because the meat of hare can be fairly dry, the saddle and hind legs are sometimes larded with strips of bacon.