206 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Apbil 12, 1883. 



and clean, the cooking and service excellent, but fish and 



fame, owing lo tin- destructive methods pr.ntie.d. (if which 

 shall have something to say at the proper time, is Becom- 

 ing: somewhat scarcp in the immediate vicinity. There ie 

 also a so called "Spoilsman's Home" located at Indian 

 Clearing. .1. P. Brown proprietor. Bui the best plan for 

 parties to pursue, wlio desire sport, ami good fare at 

 reasonable expense, is to "camp." 



I have now described the hunting grounds and routes. 

 The next in order will lie a consideration of the methods 

 employed lo kill deer. 



CIIAPTKIL II. — STALKING. 



Deer stalking, or a.s it is commonly called, "still-hunting," 

 is in my estimation so far superior to other methods which 

 are employed for the "taking off" of this noble animal that 

 I think it proper to place it. where ii unquestionably be- 

 longs, at the head of the list, f regard it as superior lie 

 cause it not only furnishes constant employment for both 

 brain and muscles, and a chance for the display of skill that 

 can only be acquired by long study and practice, hul it 

 brings its votaries into closer contact with nature in her 

 varied moods. Along I he babbling brooklet, through 

 grand old forests, by thundering eataractsor gleaming lake- 

 lets, up lowering mountains, until from their summits nwe- 

 inspiring vistas are unfolded, mountain billows beyond 

 mountain billows rolling awav in grand perspectives 

 until their out lines are lost in the distant blue of the 

 sky. Tis these scenes and associations fully as mueh 

 BS the pursuit of his game that yields the deer 'stalker that 

 fascinating and subtle pleasure, which having been once 

 tasted, is ever .after eagerly sought, and never cloys. 



A deerstalker! Wind is he? Let US have an 'ideal— one 

 who shall furnish us both information and agreeable com- 

 panionship while amid the sylvan scenes which are his 

 dclighi, lb-re is one, pictured' by the pen of Bcropi im 

 little volume enlitled ••Deer Stalking in the Highlands. 1 ' ft 

 I portrait, albeit a Jiille obscured by facetious exag- 

 geration, "Your consummate deer stalker." he says, 

 "should not only be able lo run like an antelope and breathe 

 like the trade Winds, but to run in a stooping position at a 

 greyhound's pace with his back parallel to flic ground and 

 his face Within an inch of it, for a mile together. ' lb-should 

 fake a singular pleasure in threading the scams of a bog or 

 m gliding down a burn like an eel. Strong and pliant in 

 the ankle be should indubitabl v be. since in running .swiftly 

 down precipices picturesquely adorned with sharp-edged, 

 angular vindictive- stones, his feet will set into awkward 

 cavities. If his legs are devoid of the fuculi y of breaking so 

 mueh the heller. lie should rejoice in wading through tor- 

 rents, and be able to stand on water-worn stones unconscious 

 of the current: or if the waves are too powerful for him 

 when he loses his balance, and goes ftoaling away on his 

 hack, (for if he bar, any tact or sense of the picturesque he 

 will fall backward) he should bold bis rifle aloft in the sir, 

 lest his powder got wet. As for sleep, he should he a stranger 

 lo il. and it a man gets into the slothful habit of laying in 

 bed seven or eight hours at a lime, I should be triad to know 

 What he is lit lor v Steady— very steady— his baud should 

 he, and at times wholly without a pulse. Hvaeiiithiue 

 curls are a very graceful otnainoiil to the head, but 1 leave 

 it to a deer-stalker's own good sense whether it would not 

 be better for him to shave Tiis crown at once than to risk the 

 loss of a single shot during the season. As to menial en- 

 dowments, he should have the qualifications of a Ulysses 

 and a Philidor combined. Wary and circumspect, never 

 going rashly to work, but surveying all his ground like an 

 able general before commencing operations, patient under 

 suspense and disappointment, fertile in conception and rapid 

 and decisive in execution. He must be brave to attempt, 

 he must have fortitude to suffer. What more can be re- 

 quired for the greatest undertakings?" 



Wc will now clothe Scrope's ideulin a, close tiffing suit 

 and cap of soft woolen goods, light gray in color, incase his 

 feet in buckskin moceaslus, place a breach-loading double 



shotgun and rille. ,, r a repealing rifle in bis bands, and he 

 now stands before us a typical deer stalker, lilted by nature 

 and education lo instruct us in the mysteries of the craft. 



It is morning. The east is flushing crimson with the light 

 of a new day. The wind, coming out of Ihe we-t, Clauses 

 the giant trees of (he forest to writhe and twist as if in mor- 

 tal agony, while its roaring amid their lops, commingling 

 with the sharp creaking of their limbs, completely drowns 

 the stealthy step of ourdeer stalker, who, having' partaken 

 of a substantial breakfast, has just sallied forth to the con- 

 fiicl. There is no doubt or hesitation in his manner, lor 

 full well he knows that this tempest will cause the deer to 

 seek the shelter of the valleys and Ihe caslei'ii slopes. I bat it 

 has rendered their acute sense of hearing useless to them for 

 the time, and that if he is careful to keep to leeward, it will 

 bear far away from their delicate nostrils the tell-tale taint 

 Which otherwise might warn them of his approach, lie is 

 soon skirting along a series of ledges that extend north and 

 south. To the west, and running parallel with bis course, 

 is a deep and sheltered valley, and beyond thai more ledges 

 which form the base of a towering mountain peak. 



He now moves slowly forward.' There is no motion ,,l 

 his arms, no swaying of his body, but just that slow gliding 

 movement Remove, your gaze from him for an instant. 

 It is with difficulty that you again distinguish him from the 

 snow-laden trees and rocks With which he seems to blend. 

 Willi eagle vision he scans every object, in range of his sight. 

 At last he comes up.n a fresh "trail." Several deer," in 

 hunter's parlance, "a family.'' have passed along the valley 

 to the northward, and our stalker moves forward with the 

 Confidence born of experience. But, hold! He has reached 

 a point where thetra.il zigzags about; he notes where several 

 green twigs have been freshly cropped, and he knows that 

 he is nearing the game. lie cautiously re-ascends Ihe ledges 

 to his right, and, taking advantage of even' commanding 

 point, scans the valley and the hillside beyond. At last he 

 is rewarded by descrying, some thirty rods ahead, on the 

 opposite side of the valley, the dark form of a dser dimly 

 outlined through the briar? and small growth in which it is 

 ensconced. Does he pitch the gun to his shoulder and reck- 

 lessly blaze away? Not he. That would be the act of a 

 novice. Subduing his dclighi, he carefully notes his sur- 

 roundings. About fifteen rods ahead, and a little to the 

 right, is a projecting spur of rocks. Slowly he sinks to the 

 ground, worms himself through the snow until he has the 

 rocks between himself and that dark form, I ben slowly 

 . ■ ■ i'i a stooping position and approaches until he can look 

 over them. The drooping bough of a pine hides the point 

 he seeks from view. lint, hist: there, a. few paces to the 

 rigid, standing under the top of a prostrate spruce, in full 

 view, is an old doe. Quick as thought Ihe muzzles of the 

 gunareswervedunt.il Ihe sights bear upon her shoulder. 



aud the trigger is pressed. Before the smoke of the discharge 

 cuts off his view the stalker sees the deer give a convulsive 

 spring, and knows his shot is fatal. And this is not all that 

 he sees. With a snort, that breaks with startling force upon 

 the air. a lordly buck springs into view. 



Oh, that 1 could portray the magnificent creature, as be 

 stands with head erect, sparkling eyes, distended nostrils, 

 and every muscle in tension, the very embodiment of con- 

 scious power. Language fails me. Two fawns go bouncing 

 away and disappear so quit kly thai the eye almost fails to 

 convey Ihe intelligence to the brain. Again the deadly rifle 

 sends forth its messenger of death and the stricken monarch 

 sinks to the earth, the graceful limbs that but an instant 

 agoncwereso full of power, lay limp and motionless, the 

 Lustrous eyes are glazing, and the pulsation of the brave 

 heart, is st pped forevermorc The stalker remains con- 

 cealed in his position, ft. is not long before he discovers 

 the head of one ol the fawns away on top of the ledge to 

 Ihe cast, which overlooks Ihe scene of carnage. ■ With per- 

 fect deliberation the stalker lays the gun across a rock. 

 steadies himself against another rock lakes careful aim 

 and Ihe death-dealing rifle adds another victim lo Ihe list of 

 the slain. The ringing report, has not yet ceased to rever- 

 berate when die other fawn springs from a thicket, directly 

 in the rear of the stalker and comes bounding along like a 

 rubber ball through the valley at his left. The stalker 

 springs I o the edge of the ledge, iustiuelively the gun goes 

 to his shoulder aud the buckshot from the rigid, barrel strikes 

 (he fawn stone dead at the verv center of one of its fiyiug 

 leaps. 



Reader, you may think that four deer, an enliie "family," 

 at one meal is more than you would like lo swallow. If so, 

 you must remember tha't we have been describing "decr- 

 sl.alkiug" under conditions most favorable for its success. 

 and under such conditions, let me assure you, the above 

 feat has often been achieved. The opportunity to accom- 

 plish the exploit was presented to Brady during our late 

 hunt, but unfortunately he was using a muzzle-loader, which 

 missed fire. However, candor compels me to add that 

 defeat is oftencst. on the side of the deer-stalker, aud the 

 novice who thinks it. an easy task to "still hunt'' a deer will 

 be undeceived after once attempting the. job. 



CITAl'TKTt III. — COUltSlNO. 



Deer coursing, or as it is commonly termed, "hounding," 

 is unquestionably a. sportsmanlike "way of hunting deer 

 When practiced in the proper manner, and numbers among 

 its atdenl devotees many of die truest and best sportsmen 

 of our land. By "proper manner" I mean when deer are 

 driven to watchers, who are posted on ridges or shallow 

 Streams; and since, in this form of the sport! the simple act 

 of shooting the game affords the only chance for the hunter 

 to display skill, he should make Ihe most of the chance and 

 use a rifle only. 



The person who watches a "runway" armed with a shot- 

 gun lays himself open to the charge of being simply a pot- 

 hunter. This much by way of preface, and non% as an 

 example of deer-coursing, 1 will given hasty sketch of one 

 of our days "on the Cedar." 



A bright, crispy October morning, Ihe rising sun crown- 

 ing the mountain peaks and dissipating the light frostsof the 

 night. Our parly- having partaken of a substantial breakfast 

 and equipped themselves, are just taking the "field." To the 

 south, beyond the river, rises a heavily limbered slope, 

 which has for its background the peaks of a mountain 

 range, the most prominent of which is distinguished by the 

 euphonious appclation of "Old Panther." Our plan of 

 operations is soon formed. A light breeze is blowing from 

 the north, and as we are to watch the river, and know that 

 deer when pursued by hounds run "against Ihe wind," our 

 guide is instructed to "put out" the dogs south of the river. 

 Our hounds, four in number, arc entitled to a, brief descrip- 

 tion. There are the veterans Hover ;iud Tramp, heroes of 

 many a hotly-contested race, that show their ardor and im- 

 patience by tugging at their chains, and ever aud anon giv- 

 ing vent to their deep, sonorous voice, Which is .such Sweet 

 music to the hunter's ear. Colonel and Sport, two young- 

 sters just taking their first lessons, arc so overjoyed at lie 

 prospect la-fore them that they are working off their surplus 

 energy by a series of amies" and capeis" impossible to de- 

 scribe. A general movement of all hands is made, which 

 develops into a hasty scramble on the part of the hinders, 

 to reach their "stands." One goes to the ".Meadows." an- 

 other to the "Rapids." and another to '*BpragUC Brook," 

 Edmunds goes to the "Islands," and as be is destined to be 

 ihe bickv'one to-day, and is withal u sportsman died and 

 hue, one" who will furnish, delightful companionship, the 

 render shall go with him. 



Arrived at his destination, the first tiling he does is to 

 make himself comfortable. This is accomplished by clear- 

 ing a space and fixing a seat at Hie foot, of a large 'yellow 

 birch. At bis feet the river riple'B on its course eastward, 

 gently bathing the sides of three small islands. Opposite 

 him the river bank, rising abruptly, is covered by evergreen 

 trees. 



The sun floods the picturesque scene with a mellow radi- 

 ance, and as all our hunter has to ao is to watch and wait, 

 he leans back against the birch, and gradually "the spirit of 

 revery' 'Steals o'er him. While thus giving free rein to the 

 fancies which crowd upon him, the noli . , relies above 



his head afid screams its surprise at its presence, the chat- 

 tering red squirrel reconnoitere the position from stump and 

 tree. The stately ruffed grouse si ruts coquettishJv along 

 the top of a log scarcely ten feet distant, and the era I'I v 

 mink stares inquiringly up into his face from its hole in the 

 bank. 



But hark! from away up the rock-ribbed side of "Old 

 Panther" comes the distance-mellowed voice of a hound, that 

 magic sound which causes our hunters' hearts to beat like a 

 triphammer, sending the life-current, corn-sing through his 

 veins as though it were quicksilver. Involuntarily he grasps 

 his repeater and springs to his feet. The jav "screams a 

 hasty farewell, the squirrel disappears among the branches 

 of a neighboring hemlock, the grouse goes booming away, 

 and the mink scuttles down into his hole all unheeded bv 

 him as he listens eagerly to the voice of the hound which 

 soon indicates that the <k-<.-v is standing at bay. 



Presently the ringing report of the guide's rifle breaks 

 upon the a"ir. followed im mediately by tiie deep having of 

 another hound which proclaims the fact that "Old Tramp 

 the invincible" is rushing into the fray. Our hunter can 

 scarcely repress hisexciieiaeijt as he listens, lo the furious 

 onslaught of the staunch hounds, mingling with which 

 comes the .struggling cries of the dogs still held in cheek by 

 the guide. The vociferous music of the chase SOG-n Q e ie, 

 down to a lively duet. Colonel doing the tenor and Tramp 

 the prof undo basso, valley and mountain peak fairly ring- 



ing \vith the soul-inspiring melody. Now advancing, now 

 receding, wholly lost at times until at hist, it bursts with re- 

 doubled clamor from the top of a hill scarcely half a mile to 

 the southward, and the next instant a huge buck bounds 

 lightly oyer the bank opposite and plunges into the river be- 

 hind one of the islands. You distinctly hear him as he re- 

 peatedly dips himself into tin cooling w'ater. However his 

 respite is a short one. The leainds arc rapidly approaching, 

 and again he springs forward sending the water into the air 

 m a perfect shower at, each tremendous leap. Once more he 

 bursts full into view at the lower end of the island fifteen 

 rods distant and going like the whirlwind. This is the in- 

 stant, our hunterhas been anticipating, and with perfect de- 

 liberation the "Marlin repeater" is quicklv brought to his 

 shoulder, the motion of the deer is accurately estimated, 

 the sights are brought to bear on a point six inches ahead of 

 and horizontal with the lower point of his shoulder, and at 

 that instant the trigger is pressed, The only visible effect 

 of the shot, upon the deer is lo increase bis Speed, and n few 

 more rapid bounds carries him around a curve in I lie. shore 

 and out of sight. A smile of satisfaction breaks over the 

 handsome countenance of our genial friend as lie lowers his 

 rille and hastens down the river around the curve. The 

 novice will naturally exclaim, "A clean miss," and wonder 

 what there is about such a misfortune to cause a person to 

 smile. Let us follow our companion. When we come in 

 sight of him he is out in the river, the blood-stained water 

 coming nearly to the top of his gum boots, one hand grasp- 

 ing one of the massive antlers of the deer now prone and 

 lib-less, the other vigorously wielding a stout stick with 

 whicli he heats back the fin ions hounds While he tows the 

 huge carcass ashore. Our party are soon assembled round 

 the game and a grand pow-wow" is held. Edmonds is the 

 hero of the day, and is forthwith decorated with the plume 

 of bipnOT, formed of the tail feathers of ruffed grouse and 

 stuck conspicuously in his bat. He modestly receives our 

 congratulations on 'ids excelled shot— a Center hit just back 

 of the shoulder— and our assistance in dressing the game. 



Reader, the description I have given you of one of our 

 days on the-Cedar embodies my idea of the sportsmanlike 

 way to "hound" deer. 



CHAPTER IV. — SI.AUOUTETt. 



Were 1 to confine myself strictly within the bounds indi- 

 cated by the title of this article, my task would be finished, 

 for there are but two legitimate ways to hunt deer. How- 

 ever, there are many other ways to slaughter deer which are 

 practiced in the A-iirondaeks, some of' which 1 propose to 

 notice briefly in this concluding chapter, I once listened (o 

 a si ory told by an old guide, and notwithstanding the fact 

 that 1 gave it in a former article. I shall risk reproducing if 

 here, for ihe reason that it is a good story and illustrates the 

 way ■ 'coursing" is practiced by a class of modern sportsmen 

 who hunt the Adirondacks. 



Scene— Early morning, a beautiful lake, whose mirror-like 

 surface ever and anon is brokeu by the impetuous rush of 

 some hungry trout eager to secure his breakfast. A beau- 

 tiful island i'n t he center of Ihe lake. Wooded shores sloping 

 back lo majestic mountains. Close under the jutting shore 

 of tin- island a light canoe, and in the canoe two individu- 

 als, one. bronzed and brawny, a perfect tvpe of the Adiron- 

 dack guide: the other, a— well, lookat his picture as I sketch 

 it and decide for yourself what he is a type of. He sits under- 

 neath a huge umbrella, morocco slippcis ami white silk 

 stockings show beneath the glossy broadcloth of which his 

 pantaloons and coat are made. A white satin Vest, low cut, 

 exposes an immaculate white shirt bosom, diamond studs 

 and satin lie. Beneath bis glossy beaver his pale and clas- 

 sical features repose beneath immense side whiskers, mus- 

 tache and glasses. His curled locks send forth an almost 

 sickening odor on Ihe pure morning air. His small hands 

 ai-e incased in delicate kids, one lightly grasping a Win- 

 chester rille which rests upon his knees, the oilier languidly 

 lilies an immense fan. Listen to their conversation: 



"1 sav-aw-giiidc, do you-aw-weally think those stupid 

 rio-ags will drive a de-ah to ine-ah?" 



"Well, stranger, can't say for sartin, but old Rover 

 skursely ever disappoints me, and I guess— there— there 

 goes old Rover now, I should know his voice among a 

 thousand. Aud listen, there chime in Victor and .Tuno. 

 Ain't thai glorious music, enough to raise a hunter to the 

 seventh heaven of happiness?" 



"Mie-ie-aw-musie, did you sayV Wc-ally those haw-wid 

 do-ags make such a wacket f can't be-all anything else. 

 Ton kon-nah, I can't." 



But now the chase leads over a mountain, and the voices 

 or the hounds are apparently suddenly hushed, and the 

 guide listens eagerly to catch the first notes that will tell him 

 the quarry is "coming to water." Yes, there thev come 

 through that notch in yonder lofty mountain. Holding his 

 course directly toward the lake, the deer hopes by plunging 

 into the crystal waters to escape the implacable wrath of the 



While mountain and valley echo the music of the chase, 

 a noble buck boldly plungcs'into the lake, sending the water 

 in a SilVorv spray high in the air, and strikes out rapidly for 

 the island in the center. 



"Down! down! for Cod's sake sit down and keep quiet," 

 exclaims the guide, as he vainly endeavored to dodge the 

 muzzle of the Winchester, and barely succeeds in keeping 

 the canoe from capsizing, for the umbrella is suddenly and 

 violently agitated, the fan and beaver lie side by side i'n the 

 bottom of the canoe and our gallant Nimrod has risen to his 

 feet with the stem resolve to "do or die." However, no 

 damage is done. The deer continues to advance. 



"K-n-oiv, g-guide. don't take ihe d-de-ali by the t-tail. I 

 want to kill him in style, y-vou know, so 1 can b-wag over 

 the other fel-lahs who had to gel their guides to hold their 

 dc ahs for them, you kn-now." 



"Ail right, stranger. Jest as von say. Wait till 1 give 

 the word to fire." 



The deer is now quite near the island, and a few vigorous 

 strokes of the paddle in the hands of the powerful guide 

 lays the canoe alongside of, and not a rod distant, from, the 

 terrified animal. 



"flow, stranger, there's yer chance; blaze away." Bang 

 goes the Winchester, and flic bullet goes harmlessly across 

 me lake. The deer springs out upon the island, a rapid 

 bound or two and he plunges into the lake on the opposite 

 side, and strikes for the mainland. Short respite. Again 

 the paddle- is plied, and he is headed for the island again. 

 "Stranger, blaze away." 



Another bullet flattens itself against a rock upon the 

 island. Our gallant Nimrod is warming to the business 

 now, and, with an idler disregard for the cost of ammuni- 

 tion, recklessly "blazes away." but whether he will kill 

 himself, the guide or the deer is a problem beyond the 

 science of man to solve. Of the three the deer unqucstion- 



