
In March buck brown hares can be seen chasing the does, sometimes leaping high in the air. Often the female, if she is not yet ready to mate, will rear up on her hind legs and will fend off the male with flailing fore legs. At this stage the male might also rear up in turn and a bout of boxing will result. Or he may jink out of her reach, even leaping clear over her head - an athletic display that is both thrilling and amusing.