460 



FOREST AND STREAM 



bad peppered away without doing serious injury, traces of 

 blood showed thai he was hit by N.'s first shot, especially when 

 he had stood for a moment gazing at me, nnd hesitating 

 whether he should attempt to pass. It being nearly dark, and 

 camp to be made, we followed the stream several miles until 

 we reached a deserted lumber camp on the bank where a few 

 minutes shovelling with our snow-shoes cleared a space inside 

 for beds, and a rousing fire made all comfortable for the 

 night. While regretting being taken off our guard by the 

 buck, we decided to resume the chase on the following day. 

 The morning broke bright, clear and cold, a splendid hunting 

 day, the crisp snow glistening in the sun, while the smoke of 

 the camp fire ascended in a straight column to the tops of the 

 stately spruce and pine trees. Camp duties were soon doDe, 

 and snow-Bhoes strapped on. I found my feet somewhat 

 chafed by yesterday's march, and leg muscles stiff and lame. 

 Snow-shoeing for pleasure in clubs is very different from a 

 day's march or hunt, wearing them for a whole day in deep 

 snow; then the thongs will chafe and the ankles get not a 

 few severe wrenches while pushing through thickets of spruce 

 and undergrowth, climbing over fallen trees or slidiiig down 

 Steep banks. The usual protection lor the feet is the Indian 

 moccasin, over two pairs of thick woolen socks; but whatever 

 is worn must be pliable. I have used the moose shanks 

 snipped from the hind leg with, the hair on, but found them 

 too heavy, as tbey must, be kept wet. The most comfortable 

 thing I found to be moccasins, extemporised by cutting down 

 a pair of ordinary rubber boots and removing the heels, these 

 are sufficiently pliable, keep the feet dry, and are a perfect 

 protection against the constant wear of tbe snow-shoe thongs. 

 The following morning we left camp, and taking only our 

 guns and a day's rations we followed the river on the ice 

 uown to the scene of yesterday's adventure with the buck 

 cariboo. 



Placide, Albert and N. took the track of the wounded ani- 

 mal and followed it into the forest, while f stationed myself 

 on the bank for a chance shot in case the game sought to 

 escape by taking to the ice. But although the track gave 

 evidence that the buck was badly wounded he still had suffi- 

 cient vitality to distance his pursuers although the snow was 

 full? six feet deep. The cariboo gets over deep snow which 

 would impede tbe movements cf moose or hunters with great 

 ease. Owing to the great spread of his hoofs and v. habit of 

 placing the hi'jd shanks horizontally on the snow he makes 

 astonishing progress, sinking only a few inches where other 

 lis wallow painfully. Uy this means the buck was able 

 to escape and the hunters gave up the chase after a long and 

 wearisome tramp, and returned to the river and then to camp. 

 The hide of the cariboo is covered with thick, short and 

 velvety hair, except under the neck, where it is long and 

 COarae | in color it, is patchy on the flanks, white and brown, 

 changing to grayish white under tbe neck and belly. 



The antlers are tine, and beautifully curved. It is very rare 

 to find both brow antlers perfectly developed. By compari- 

 son the antlers are liner thau those of the European reindeer, 

 an animal which it very much resembles, and the flesh sweet 

 and juicy, with more flavor than venison and without the 

 stringy toughness of moose meal. Our pleasant anticipations 

 of delicate stews, juicy steaks and toothsome marrow bones, 

 in place of our hitherto meagre fare of salt pork and hard 

 bread, were doomed to be postponed for the present. 



The cariboo of Northern Maine, New Brunswick and Nova 

 Scoria seems to be identical with the reindeer of Lapland, 

 where it is almost invaluable to the natives, not Only in travel- 

 ing, but iu furnishing the meaus of subsistence. It yet re- 

 tnaius for some adventurous hunter to rival the fast horses of 

 America by appearing iu the Central Park with a cariboo 

 four-in-hand harnessed tea sledge decorated with wolf, moose 

 and cariboo robes. 



For four days, during which we lived ii [i deserted lumber 

 cump, the rain fell persistently. Huuiing m such weather is 

 out of the question ; snow-shoes sink deep in the yielding 

 snow and lose their elasticity, and, becoming clogged with 

 damp snow, make traveling in the woods laborious and 

 fatiguing. Nevertheless, N. and Placide made short excur- 

 sions into the woods in search of signs of a moose yard 

 ravages, in the Canadian French, showing where the game 

 had browsed during the wiuter on spruce or moose-wood 

 branches, breaking the limbs and stripping off the buds for 

 food. Meanwhile Albert and I supplied the camp with fire- 

 wood, caught trout, through the ice in the Green Hiver witln 

 a few rods of camp, or shot partridges and white rabbits, 

 which were abundant, and so tame that a pistol shot rarely 

 causes them to ruu ; indeed, they furnished no sport except 

 pistol practice. At last the weather became cold, the sky 

 cleared, and the snow, by freezing, became so stiff as to bear 

 the weight or a man without snow-shoes. Taking only our 

 uns, snow-shoes and a day's rations, with a Bled and ax, we 

 left the camp one bright morning, and in single file started 

 into the woods, leaving the river and ascending to the high 

 land. Whether Allien knew of the existence of a moose-yard 

 or not, before noon the dog Diamond showed by his uneasi- 

 ness and occasional sniffing iu certain directions that we were 

 near the game. Advancing with great caution, we followed 

 the lead of our sagacious dog, peering right and left through 

 the dense spruce tniclteis for a glimpse of a moose. At first 

 the only signs were those made mouths before by tbe moose 

 iu browsing on the. low shiubs, then a faint depression in the 

 Bnow showed where he had stood, or indistinctly tbe form of 

 a bed Was visible beneath some large spruce tree j the tracks 

 became more distinct as we neared the yard. Many have an 

 idea that a moose-yard is beaten down like a pen, but none 

 ihat I have St en have that appearance. There are deep holes 

 tn the snow where the heavy animals sink, iu traveling, to the 

 belly, and furrows plowed through by Wallowing, boon the 

 barking of the dog was heard, and rushing lor ward we saw 

 two large black objects fast disappearing through the thick 

 spruces. The snow was trampled and discolored by the 

 mouse, as usual when fresh started. Is ow comes the chase! 

 plunging, tripping, catching snow-shoes iu twigs, falling and 

 wrenching 01 ankles, up and ou again. The hunting party is 

 scattered nere and there, as each lakes his own course. A 

 momentary glimpse is all that one may have before the great 

 moose speeds away through the forest to be seen no more; 

 but a quick hand with the rifle can send a bullet into the 

 plunguig brute if no envious twig or treacherous hole stops 

 the hunter in his haste and brings him headlong in the snow, 

 wbere be buries his rifle arm deep and twists his snow-shoe 



tool 



my- 



itis generally supposed that to catch a moose iu the snow 

 is an easy matter. This may be so iu some cases, but usually 

 the moose giveB the hunters a long chase, in which all one's 

 muscle, pcrseveience i aud wind are severely tried before the 

 big game is rundown and receives his death shot. Unless 

 depth of from six lo eight feet of snow, a moose is 



: . |y caught by running. With less snow still bunting must 

 be resorted to, which to me is the most sportsmanlike and ex- 



citing method of hunting any game, and requires tbe greatest 

 Skill, caution and patience if one would shoot a moose by 

 stalking. In several instances having approached moose by 

 still hunting to within a few rods of the thicket where I knew 

 them to be standing, they have started and crashed away 

 through the spruces without a chance of my seeinsr them, and 

 at such a pace as made pursuit useless. But besides the pa- 

 tience required in still bunting, the exposure of night damps 

 in the snow, wet clothing and the fatiguing tramps through 

 the forests, make it the most difficult and hazardous of sport- 

 ing, but one that well repays the hunter who is williutr to en- 

 dure so much to get a shot at the largest and most wary of 

 American game animals— the moose. 



The term moose-yard, however it originated, has given an 

 erroneous impression to those who have never hunted this 

 animal in winter. A yard conveys the idea of something 

 fenced in, and iu quite recent accounts the preposterous story 

 is still repeated that moose are accustomed to trample down 

 the snow over a large area quite smooth and level, within the 

 walls of which they can move and feed unimpeded. Having 

 invaded a score of so-called moose-yards iu deep snows, I have 

 yet to see more than a single track made, by one moose, but 

 used, perhaps, by several, as they move here and there from 

 tree to tree, breaking down or ravaging, as the Canadian 

 hunters term it, lee limbs and twigs on which they browse. 

 The flavor of the sp'uee on which they feed impregnates the 

 flesh, and the smom»eh rye- tains a ma;s of green pulverized 

 spruce which gives oui.r ingcut odor. 



But to return to the eu^se. I soon found myself gaining 

 on the hugs animal and expecting every moment to get a shot ; 

 but still, in spite of the deep snow, he made good progress, 

 though often floundering badly. 



As this is a straigbt-away chase, a side shot is impossible, 

 so, trusting to luck, f pitched up my rifle and aimed at the 

 exposed flank. Still on he goes, but blood in the snow shows 

 that the bullet has gone home ; still on, now concealed by hol- 

 lows or thickets of spruce, the. huge animal is straining every 

 nerve, but in vain. He is evidently losing strength, and 

 must soon yield. 



It is no easy matter to overtake a wounded moose. Snow- 

 shoes are invariably treacherous, and doubly so when follow- 

 ing moose tracks, into which they have a most aggravating 

 habit of sliding, accompanied with severe wrenching I if ankles, 

 and occasion frequent, awkward plunges, with difficult re- 

 coveries. But. at last the moose is at, bay, shaking his im- 

 mense head at the. dog Diamond, snapping viciously at his 

 heels, which he can do safely enough, as he Bprings nimbly 

 about on the snow-crust. I have just given tbe coup de grace 

 when Placide appears, and the necessary but disagreeable 

 duty of the hunters, the " gralloebing " and dressing the 

 game, must be done. 



Meanwhile N. had taken the track of another moose, which, 

 after a long cbase, he overtook aud killed with his twelve- 

 inch burning pistol. This was a young bull, and still carried 

 horns, one short one and the Stump of another Which had 

 been broken off. 



Haviug now secured the moose meat.'hides arid heads, the 

 day was nearly spent and the question of making a camp was 

 considered. 



Old Albert announced that we were too far from the river 

 camp to think of reaching it before dark ; besides, we should 

 require all the following day to haul our game out to the 

 river; so, selecting a site well protected by spruce and pine 

 timber, we soon cleared a space iu the snow— using our snow- 

 shoes as shovels — large enough to allow four persons lying 

 side by side. The bottom anil sides of the camp were then 

 lined with spruce twigs, and a fire built at the end, toward 

 which we stretched our feet ; then, after a. hearty meal of 

 moose meat broiled on sticks and fried moose liver, with a 

 pull at a flask of Dominion whisky, we were glad to seek rest 

 after a fatiguing day. 



To say that one is comfortable lying in a snow hole on 

 branches, with wet feet, eyes lutlauied With smoke, a chilled 

 spine, feet chafed by show-shoeing, and aching bones, would 

 he far from the truth : but we slept and wakened at intervals, 

 and although the fire melted itself down into the snow, we 

 rose refreshed and ready for the hardest day's work yet lo 

 come. 



Any hunter who has helped lo haul a moose out of the woods 

 will admit, that the work is beyond question the most laborious 

 ever undertaken by hunters. A quarter of moose meat, 

 weighing about 250 pounds, is placed on the hide and dragged 

 over the snow, with many obstructions, accidents and delays, 

 at a rate of perhaps one-half mile an hour, so that hauling out 

 the game is the hardest and most disagreeable duty, and 

 explains the fact that so many huuters leave the greater part 

 or tbe carcass in Ihe woods to spoil, and take only the hide 

 aud the meat they want for present use. 



It is to be hoped that the protection of this noble came 

 will be thorough, and that, the wardens will allow no viola- 

 tion of the provisions of the new laws in Maine and the 

 Provinces to pass unnoticed. The laws have been wisely de- 

 signee! to allow the moose several years of comparaiive rest 

 and an opportunity to rear I heir young in peace, and tberebj 

 preserve this noblest of American game for future generations 

 of sportsmen- If this is not done tbeit total extermination in 

 the Eastern States and Canada is only a question ot a few 

 years, and our descendants will form their ideas of Jive moose 

 from the caricatures preserved in our museums of natural 

 history. 



With considerable trouble we saved all our game, and had 

 the satisfaction of sharing with friends at home the trophies 

 of our moose hunt in New Brunswick. 



Jons Avert, Sec. Blooming Grove Park Ass'n. 



Fur Fond mid Struun. and Rod and (Jvn. 

 DUCK SHOOTING ON THE CHOPTANK 

 RIVER, MARYLAND. 



ABOUT the first of March last I visited the Choptank 

 Kiver, expecting a grand time shooting ducks. I did 

 not take my decoys with me on so long a trip, and found it 

 impossible to obtain any in that section, and consequently 

 found it rather tame sport. Although that was a failure, 1 

 had a good time generally, and was well entti ■tn'med and 

 cared for at a fine old mansion, beautifully located by this fine 

 water. The weather was as warm as any May day up North. 

 Having in contemplation a ducking excursion down the. Poto- 

 mac Irom Washington with a gentleman of llml city, who 

 would furnish all the decoys, etc., necessary for success if we 

 should find any game in that section, 1 took the small, com- 

 fortable steamer at Cambridge, Md., for Baltimore at three 

 o'clock t. m,, landing there early the following morning. 



About five miles away from on the Choptank River, I 

 began to see ducks, and until dark they kept rising in immense 

 flocks in front and on both sides of the steamerrouly to soon 

 settle down again near some point close by among acres of 

 other ducks. It was a fine sight, and I did not hear a gun- 

 shot on the trip. The points for decoy shooting that I passed 

 were grand, and 1 could have had excellent sport if I had had 

 my decoys and a house to put up at, as I could have left the 

 steamer at any of the stopping places, which were frequent. 

 The water is very shallow on the broad flats on both sides of 

 the river, which is very wide from Cambridge to the mouth of 

 Fredhaven Creek, We had to go up this narrow stream about 

 si -vii miles to Easton, Md., after dark. Boston, I believe, is 

 the terminus of the steamer's route from Baltimore. The 

 country on either side of Ihe Choptank Kiverfrom Fredhaven 

 Creek to Cambridge is thinly settled, and I learned that there 

 was very little shooting done in this section. Gunners from 

 Philadelphia and Baltimore BO mostly to the Chesapeake for 

 ducks and geese. I doubt if there is a breech-loader used by 

 nny of the residents in this vicinity, and I was surprised to 

 find ducks BO plentiful here, when most of the favorite re 

 sorts— Currituck and the St. Lawrence Paver nnd bays in 

 Canada— were so poorly represented by the usual flights last 

 fall and winter. I found the captain of this steamer very 

 sociable, and capable of giving the best of information to any 

 one intending visiting this locality as to where to go and also 

 the best time for a good day or week's sport with ducks and 

 geese. I was informed by a resident that the latter game 

 were rather plenty just then in the small bays letting out 

 from the river. The prices are very moderate in Easton and 

 on the steamers, and fare good enough. The train leaving 

 New York at twelve o'clock at night, arrives at Easton, Md,, 

 at about three p, m. next day; aud at Easton livery, at very 

 low prices, can be hail lo transport any patty to any point on 



the Choptank River ; distance overland to Cambridge about 

 twelve miles.and roads excellent in March, and, I should judge, 

 at all seasous of the year. It -would not be a difficult job to 

 tret all the information, as to where to stop and when to be on 

 hand for the best of duck shooting in that section from the 

 proprietor of the only hotel iu Easton. I found him a perfect 

 gentleman aud willing to aid any stranger. A small duck 

 boat could be secured and man also at Easton, and the trip of 

 a dozen miles could easily be made by water, and good points 

 selected on ibe route, aud by that you would have your boat, 

 for I think there are few of them, and poor at that, in the 

 vicinity of the best shooting. 



There are any amount of good points here, and at no rental, 

 I was informed; but you must go prepared to rough it and 

 take plain fare, which will cost you only a trifle. 



Duck shooting is uncertain sport at best. Any one that 

 has followed it with success late years, especially in the East, 

 has been fortunate and knew his customers well, for to-day the 

 main flocks may be feeding several miles from where you saw 

 them yesterday. Any change of direction ot wind may send 

 them to other localities lo feed, but generally within a few 

 miles you will find them congregated, when a good day's sport 

 may be had with certainty. 



October last duck shooting, and, 

 s of redheads and broadbills at times 

 :■ feeding, I could not get near them, 



was From southeast, Anally it shifted 

 'ale. The immense flocks were feed- 

 ing just in front of the house I was stopping at and close to 

 shore, and they had it all their own way, as not. a gun was 

 that day, Sunday, 1 was restless, and fiually took 

 to a short, stretch of hard land close by and screened 

 . Triad a few stones, while I kept my dog retrieving a 

 ball -which I threw along the shore, i did this about twenty 

 minutes, and had an immense (lock, covering more than an 

 acre of water, close up to me, BO that 1 could tiave slaiu them 

 with a club as they stretched their long necks and looked so 

 wild, almost at ruy feet. It was a trying lime, I assure you. 

 I quietly stole away and patiently waited till next morning. 



The wind middled away during the night, and after an hour's 

 work and nearly wearing the legs off my dog I only got one 

 shot, and secured nine fine redheads. They took another 

 favorable place to feed that day, and 1 had to hunt them up 

 again. To learn their ways it requires considerable time and 

 patience, also , their favorite feeding places in every bay or 

 river that one may visit. L-BATHEB Stookuw. 



1 was in Cam 

 although 1 saw thoi 

 every day on the w 

 do m3 T ues t- The ' 



fired ou 



mysette 



yself I 



For Forest and Stream and Rod and (Jun,. 

 LAKE 1NNISCANNING. 



NOT enjoying my usual good health, owing to too close 

 office confinement, I was obliged to take a holiday to 

 recruit. An old school chum (if mine, who is engaged in the 

 lumber business on the upper Ottawa, invited me to accom- 

 pany him up to lake inuiseauntmr, the source of the Ottawa 

 River, Where he was taking out a square timber raft, 1 ac- 

 cepted the invitation, and left home on the 23d of September, 

 and we reached our destination after six days' traveling. 

 The first three were done by steam and the last three in our 

 own b latSj loaded with the men's kits and rowed, towed and 

 portaged by the gay aud light-hearted French Canadian 

 shanty-men, who seem not to have a care ia the world to 

 shadow their jolly faces except a p iSsrng thought of wives or 

 sweethearts left at home and whom they will not see for 

 seven or eight months to come. The first few days after my 

 arrival were employed in fitting up a thirty-food river boat 

 for the navigation of the lake, while my chum husi. I 

 in planting the shanties for the winter's work. The Jake is 

 seventy-live miles long, with an average breadth of five miles, 

 and, having plenty ot time to do the trip, we started, short- 

 handed, for the be-nl Of i In- lafce, trusting to wind for loco- 

 motion. We did not reach the head until the third day, owing 

 to contrary winds, but were fully recompensed for our long 

 up trip by the abundance of geese and ducks we found there. 

 At the head of the lake there fs nine or ten miles of low 

 marsh and rice beds, affording good feeding grounds for 

 water-fowl, and this seems to lie iheir favorite resting-place 

 on their journey Irom the fur northern waters to their "south- 

 ern winter quarters. 



Two or three hours from daylight each morning were spent 

 at Ihe wild geese, Which would about that lime mass them- 

 selves in V -shaped companies and start on their journey south. 

 find them many companions of their previous day's 

 flight to swell the number ot our slain Nine a. u. generally 

 found us with teu or twelve brace each, and our atomachs 



