26 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Aug. 4, 1887. 



AN EXPERIENCE WITH DEER. 



A winter's tale for summer reading. 



OCCASIONALLY I have heard it remarked by some 

 of the self -constituted readers of my copies of For- 

 est and Stream, that "among the multiplicity of hunt- 

 ing reminiscences published, the greater number present 

 such a striking similarity as to make them tame and un- 

 interesting matter for perusal," However much con- 

 vinced that such indiscriminating purloiners are not to 

 the manor born, it nevertheless has sought to remind me 

 of the incidents connected with an experience in deer 

 hunting which, be it said, furnishes a chapter of happen- 

 ings somewhat out of the usual line, as we leave the 

 reader to judge. 



I was living in a city noted for its wonderful thrift and 

 enterprise, being the undisputed metropolis of the great 

 and growing oil industry. The city is situated near the 

 most northern section of the extensive mountain forests 

 of Western Pennsylvania. During the whiter deer, bear 

 and other game had been reported unusually abundant, 

 and many of our local sportsmen had been successful in 

 bringing in— during the few days of the opening season — 

 some line large specimens. 



Yielding to the all-inspiriting influence that had stimu- 

 lated the ambition of my fellow hunters to seek such rare 

 and attractive fields of sport, I sst about making prepara- 

 tions for a day's outing. A chance acquaintance who had 

 attained an enviable reputation as an all-round sports- 

 man, and a then active member of a leading gun club, 

 kindly volunteered to share the events of the day as well 

 as to generously insist (in view of his reputation and long 

 experience as a hunter) upon an equal division of the 

 spoil. Curly was not only an excellent rifle shot, per- 

 forming many of Carver's difficult feats with dexterity 

 and skill, but was widely known as having but few equals 

 as a wing-shot; and withal was not over-timid in refer- 

 ring, on all opportune occasions, to his skill and adroit- 

 ness in luring the wary deer within the realm of his keen 

 eyesight and never-failing marksmanship. 



A light, flaky snow having fallen to a considerable 

 depth, making it an exceedingly favorable time for still- 

 hunting, we found the day had dawned in all that per- 

 fection which is so welcome and gratifying to the heart 

 of the hunter, and our spirits rose. Our route lay up the 

 extreme right branch of the Tuna to the great wilderness 

 of woods that have become so famous as a favorite ren- 

 dezvous for hunters. On the way Curly told us his coon 

 story. I have often since heard him repeat it, and always 

 with the same degree of earnestness and enthusiasm that 

 never fads to impress one with a sense of its truthf ulness, 

 even if it were not known to be vouched for by persons 

 cognizant of the facts. 



"Some years ago," he said, "while yet in the somewhat 

 advanced stage of boy hood, I was on one occasion return- 

 ing from a neighboring farmhouse, and hi passing through 

 a neck of woods, some distance from any inhabitation, I 

 was startled by the fierce barking of the neighbor's dog, 

 that liad left me but a few minutes before. On reaching 

 the spot I found him partly within the trunk of a hollow 

 tree, growling and snapping furiously as if in close proxi- 

 mity to some animal that had been driven into close 

 quarters, and was endeavoring to resist the attack of the 

 dog. Upon my arrival the dog commenced to force the 

 fighting, and in followieg up his advantage quickly 

 crowded within tbe opening and gradually working him- 

 self upward, to my great surprise, soon passed out of 

 sight. Up to this time I had been constantly urging 

 him to keep up the attack, but now, fearing in his extreme 

 eagerness to capture his adversary he might force himself 

 into some crevice or tight place above and be unable to 

 extricate himself, I quickly changed my tactics and tried 

 by all manner of coaxing to get him "to back down and 

 out, but without avafl. The only response I could get 

 would be an occasional 'yip,' which soon began to grow 

 indistinct and finally ceased altogether, leaving no further 

 proof of the existence of either combatants than the fall- 

 ing now and then of a splinter or piece of decayed wood 

 down through the interior. 



" After standing some time contemplating the peculiar 

 situation of affairs, at the same time intent upon devising 

 some plan to rescue the dog from his supposed perilous 

 position, I chanced to look up to take a survey of the tree, 

 and observed it had been broken off fifty or sixty feet from 

 the ground , leaving but a single limb on the standing por- 

 tion, and that just at the point of breakage. A moment 

 later I noticed a movement at the top, and soon after an 

 enormous coon came out and took his position on the ex- 

 treme end of the limb. Well ! here was an unbooked for 

 denouement on the part of one of the principal actors, 

 carrying with it an air of mystery that puzzled me sorely 

 in trying to unravel. What had caused his coonship to 

 leave a comparative place of safety, and perch himself out 

 on the linib as far as possible from the body of the tree — 

 in open daylight? But the solution was nearer at hand 

 than I had anticipated, for so : n after the dog's head pro- 

 truded from the opening the coon had just made his exit 

 from, and drawing himself irp until bis forelegs projected 

 over the broken top, anchored himself in that position ; 

 then glancing wishfully down upon terra firma, was un- 

 doubtedly as greatly surprised a canine as I was dumb- 

 founded in beholding his highness so far heavenward. 



" He had thus far shown such surprising capabilities in 

 overcoming the law of gravitation that I was in a condi- 

 tion to credit him with sufficient courage and persistence 

 to attempt to navigate the limbs, in case he should chance 

 to focus the bold and attractive outline of Mr. Coon so 

 temptingly near. But without waiting to give Trim time 

 to further distinguish himself, I commenced to scold and 

 threaten and pelt him with missiles, in my endeavor to 

 make him pilot himself down the way he came, but after 

 making a single trial (evidently in fear) he straightened 

 himself up into his former position and couldn't be made 

 to budge. 



"I was now constantly on the ragged edge through 

 fear of losing the farmer's valuable dog, the knowledge 

 of that worthy's frequent refusal of fifty dollars for the 

 brute being fresh in mind; besides, I was aware of his 

 being a general favorite, and that his services were indis- 

 pensable for churning purposes. 



"Realizing the need of affording some means of rescue 

 at once, and being in a desperate mood, I quickly decided 

 to cut clown the tree and take the chances of his being 

 whipped to death by the fall. Hastily procuring an axe, 

 I planned the cutting so the tree would land on a low, 

 wet, marshy place, where the earth was soft and mucky 

 to a considerable depth. After exercising a liberal 



amount of muscle for a time when minutes seemed the 

 prolongation of boars, the usual warning came that the 

 critical moment had arrived, and as soon as the tree had 

 got under lively headway in falling, the dog — fortunately 

 for his future existence — shot out from the tree like the 

 cbcus man in the cannon act, and landed several feet be- 

 yond the tree on all fours and up to his sides in the soft 

 soil, where he was obliged to remain untfl extricated. He 

 was found to be badly stiffened and stove up generally, 

 thus depriving the owner of his usefulness in butter mak- 

 ing for a time, but finally he came out all right. The 

 coon was captured and exhibited as a trophy of one of the 

 most remarkable of hunting incidents." 



After a brisk drive of several miles we drew up at an 

 old, deserted cabin, and after finding shelter for our 

 horse and putting our Winchesters in order for doling 

 duty, we went on up the valley for another mde. At this 

 point the Tuna dwindles into aVery inconsiderable stream, 

 and changes its course at right angles with its former 

 direction; its headwaters reaching in from the west. 

 Between the source of this branch and that of the other 

 more prominent one, situated some distance to the south- 

 ward, lies a stretch of territory that has become a favor- 

 ite camping ground for the hunter and angler, and to this 

 locality we decided to shape our course. 



We were now compelled to take leave of the well- 

 beaten track of the bark shipper that had hitherto done 

 us such good service, and make our way through the 

 trackless waste of snow that lay spread out before us in 

 all its spotless purity and dazzling brightness. 



We proceeded more slowly and with greater caution, 

 being ever on the alert for signs. After a steady and 

 monotonous tramp for a couple of miles, our vigilance 

 was in a measure rewarded by sighting the fresh tracks 

 of a buck and two does that had crossed our route, travel- 

 ing leisurely to the northward. We were soon hi buoyant 

 spirits, the little telltale throbbings of our hearts had at 

 once caught the inspiration, and were hammering out 

 their beatings with unwonted rapidity and vigor; we 

 were on our mettle and no time was lost in setting out on 

 the trad. As if by a common impulse we struck out at a 

 quick, telling pace, feeling that success was only obtain- 

 able by getting within range of the fleet-footed game be- 

 fore the waning shades of the closing day betokened the 

 necessity of sounding a retreat, and setting our faces 

 homewa,rd. 



Thus far everything looked favorable to the success of 

 our little expedition. The day and the weather were pro- 

 pitious; the air clear and nfild, while the trees had shaken 

 off their light feathery garb of new-fallen snow and were 

 motionless; the high, overhanging clouds of gray, with 

 then- lining tinged with a brighter hue, reflected down a 

 steady, even, mellow light, that seemed to penetrate 

 every interstice, and light up every crook and cranny of 

 this vast mountain fastness, permitting the eye of the 

 hunter to detect through the breathless stillness that per- 

 vaded, the smallest moving object within range of his 

 vision. Beyond all these favorable conditions of game, 

 wind and weather, we still felt our star of luck in the 

 ascendant; upon contemplating the fact that the ever- 

 treacherous stick at our feet was lying too deeply buried 

 beneath its soft, noiseless bed to give the fatal warning at 

 the crucial moment, when, perhaps, the success of our 

 day's weary, todsome plodding hinged upon a single in- 

 cautious step. 



We kept pushing onward and upward with increasing 

 swiftness at every turn, at times breasting along through 

 the soft, yielding snow, leaving deeply-furrowed and con- 

 tinuous trails in our wake; then, again, putting greater 

 elasticity into our nether limbs and dotting off the "land- 

 scape o'er" at a rate that quickly lifted us out of the 

 broad, silent valley, and brought us to the summit of a 

 high, steep-ascending ridge, a mile and a half distant. 

 Here we came to a halt to take observations. We found 

 the deer had made a sharp detour to the right, keeping 

 along the high point of the ridge for a considerable dis- 

 tance until receding abruptly into the deep ravine below: 

 then facing about, as if dissatisfied with their course, had 

 retraced their steps at then usual slow-moving pace, and 

 again turned their heads to the northward. 



After taking a hasty survey of the country in advance, 

 as well as noting down signs, appearances, etc. (intelli- 

 gent only to the wiseacre of the party), a councfl of war 

 was held with results highly satisfactory — to Curly. 



During our deliberations I was made the recipient of 

 certain information (said to be derived from the science 

 of woodcraft) to the extent that our greatly coveted track- 

 makers had left certain traces and indications behind 

 them in their leavetaking at this point that denoted they 

 would hi all probability be found lurking in the near- 

 vicinity or thereabouts, and in order to guard against 

 causing any unfortunate surprises in continuing the pur- 

 suit, it would be the duty of the writer to fall into line, 

 keephig at the minimum distance of 50yds. to the rear, 

 with special instructions (held to be strictly a la "hunters' 

 code" governing the introduction of all untried members 

 of the craft), to wit: ' Whenever entering or passing 

 through any thickly wooded section, extensive windfalls, 

 umbrageous laurel patches, or any other locality furnish- 

 ing more than an ordinary retreat for the fugitives, to 

 keep a constant lookout (?) to the rear to prevent these 

 wily, agile-footed denizens of the forest from bobbing up 

 serenely and unexpectedly on the warpath behind." As 

 a further mark of favor, I was to be signaled to the front 

 to take part in any chance engagement in that direction, 

 for, e. g., "Whenever the lordly buck or bis sleek and 

 graceful consorts came into line of vision" (by some mys- 

 terious or unexplained method) "they were to be charmed 

 into a fingering condition untd the intervening distance 

 of 50yds. was covered, when time would be called, 'hun- 

 ters' code' again to govern," etc. 



The peculiarities of an early trainine: had taught me 

 not to be too overcredulous in things pertaining to human 

 affairs, but feeling that if success perched upon our ob- 

 scure and humble banner, greater would be the victory. 

 I accepted the situation with a spirit worthy of a more 

 innocent tyro, and fell back into position; meanwhile 

 mentally resolving to be in at the death if possible. 



Our stoppage at this point had been short, and again we 

 were in readiness to move on , while a perceptible glow 

 of satisfaction beamed athwart the countenance of t-he 

 party in advance as the "intervening distance" was scan- 

 ned and its advantages mentally considered. 



After passing down the northern face of the ridge, the 

 trail led us into a low rolling country, heavfly timbered 

 and thickly interspersed with evergreen, then interlacing 

 branches in places, forming a dense canopy that gave an 



inviting look to the hunter. Such hidden localities when 

 viewed from a distance seemed to possess such unusual 

 attractions to my verdant and imaginative mind that I 

 frequently grew wholly unmindful that a quickening 

 pulse and an increasing pace had set at naught the ob- 

 jectionable distance until a mild remonstrance (in tones 

 that precluded the possibility of game being found ex- 

 tremely abundant in the neighborhood for the time being) 

 again reduced me to the ranks. The game gave no fur- 

 ther indication of loitering by the way, but kept giving 

 us a stern chase. On and on over hills, ridges, valleys 

 and streams, ever leading us to the northward, always 

 having a due regard for that particular point of the com- 

 pass. 



The sun had long past the meridian, and the afternoon 

 was far advanced, when we had crossed over a high slop- 

 ing ridge, and reached the banks of one of those numer- 

 ous mountain streams, that furnish in season such delight- 

 ful sport for the angler. The deer had stopped midway 

 the stream to force an opening in the ice, to slake their 

 thirst, then crossed to the opposite side, and taken up the 

 steep acclivity to reach the high bank above. Several 

 hundred feet beyond the stream at this point, we strike 

 the western extremity of another high ridge, whose trend 

 extends in a northerly direction, and parallel with the 

 stream, the land lying between gradually sloping toward 

 the water. The deer upon reaching the high bank had 

 turned to the right, slowly wending their way along be- 

 tween ridge and stream , * evidently making for a wind- 

 fall of two or three acres of heavy timber not far distant. 

 Curly first reached the outskirts of the timber, and the 

 top of a high log extending far out into the windfall, 

 while I a moment later found myself similarly located a 

 few yards to the left. My now equally advanced position 

 gave Curly cause and opportunity to discuss the possible" 

 chances of my scoring the winning shot. Although not 

 unsparing of his compliments, they gave a somewhat 

 ludicrous turn to my apparently distracted thoughts that 

 made it to me a very enjoyable episode, if slightly exas- 

 perating to my quondom companion. However, nothing 

 daunted I kept up an unflagging spirit of hopefulness as 

 well as a "constant lookout" for our brown-coated 

 friends. 



It was now apparent from the numerous tracks observ- 

 able in the snow between the barriers of logs further on 

 that the game was in search of some desirable resting 

 place. During our consultation Curly's keen eye had 

 discovered that the buck had separated from his compan- 

 ions and had passed along to his right, and at once select- 

 ing him as his lawful prey started off in hot pursuit. I 

 had been a silent looker on, but nevertheless had been 

 closely scrutinizing the field and had noticed tracks off 

 some 75yds. to my left that extended past thp roots of a 

 large fallen tree, lying upon another of equal size that 

 had fallen in the same direction and that in turn upon 

 another at right angles, forming a line of an impenetra- 

 ble breastwork in front several feet in height. Proceeding 

 with the utmost caution until a view could be obtained 

 through the labyrinth of roots of the lrprooted tree that 

 afforded a series of openings, I caught a glimpse of two 

 white banners waving graceful salutation to the breeze, 

 signaling, as I supposed, the final departure of the does 

 in an opposite direction. Not being able to obtain a shot 

 from where. I stood or by a forward movement I retraced 

 my steps with all possible speed to a point where I could 

 command a view of them above the timber as soon as 

 they struck the foot of the ridge, but I could see nothing 

 going out. Raising myself high on tiptoe to peer over 

 this high fortress of logs I soon discovered the wide ex- 

 panded ears of one of the does, with nose well up sniffing 

 the breeze, all the while keeping up an unceasing watch- 

 fulness in the opposite direction. She had evidently 

 caught scent of Curly and was closely watching his move- 

 ments in his eager pursuit of the retreating buck and had 

 not as yet received the telltale warning of my presence. 



Finding it impossible to bring my rifle to bear upon any 

 portion of her body, I decided to direct my shot far 

 enough into the several inches of snow lying upon the 

 log to reach her head. Bringing gun to cheek and rest- 

 ing the muzzle against a convenient sapling, and again 

 elongating my anatomy to its highest sticking point, I 

 suddenly began to experience a certain unsteadiness and 

 giving-out sensation in the lower extremeties, that I was 

 generous enough to attribute to my strained an ! unsup- 

 ported position. But a moment's reflection was sufficient 

 to recall Curly's parting compliments, and once more 

 bracing myself into line of action I immediately cut loose 

 upon the imaginary target I had pictured to myself upon 

 the snow. Throwing another cartridge to place without 

 changing position, and waiting until the situation had 

 become tiresome, and seeing no tigns of life, I had started 

 off to investigate, when I saw a line of moving hair above 

 the facade of timber, and soon after the doe was seen 

 passing along in a crouching position until reaching the 

 open woods, then turning her well-rounded broadside to 

 view she scampered off up the ridge. 



As this is intended fpr an "o'er true tale," I am com- 

 pelled to add — for the first time — that not as long as a 

 glimpse of hair or hoof could be obtained through the 

 spreading branches of the forest pine far up the mountain 

 side did it occur to me that I was other than an unaraied 

 spectator. Looking around for the fool killer, and find- 

 ing myself bea ten at all points, it then struck me that the 

 other doe was in hiding, and that the sound of my shot 

 would soon attract Curly to the spot. 



Starting off with rapid strides. I soon rounded the up- 

 turned roots of the fallen tree, and came upon the doe 

 standing looking in the opposite direction, about 40jds. 

 away. Bringing my rifle w T ell up into position, and while 

 in the act of dropping down to bear upon the game, Cur- 

 ly's diminutive form came into line of vision, some 20yds. 

 beyond the doe. Deciding upon the instant that he was 

 at too high an elevation to be in danger, I continued to 

 lower the bead of my Lyman until covering the neck of 

 the coveted prize, and then touched the fatal trigger. At 

 the report of the gun the doe dropped to her knees, and 

 while in the act of rising another well-directed bullet 

 through the head safely gave us the victory. 



Glancing up, I saw an expression of blank amazement 

 pictured upon the countenance of Curly, which would 

 have made it a feast day for our special artist. He had 

 unexpectedly become an eye witness to his own defeat, 

 while success was readily within grasp; hence all conso- 

 lations offered faded to have the desired soothing effect. 



It was found the second shot had been unnecessary as 

 the first had severed the jugular as effectually as if the 

 knife had done the work. 



