FOREST AND STREAM. 65 
■ 
July 23, 1898,] 
prehensile like tail, drooping to the ground and turning 
up at the end, they spotted it as a panther. The animal 
continued to slowly nose the ground in front of them at 
a distance of about thirty steps, long enough for them to 
discuss the identity of the. animal. They noted the red- 
dish brown color, the round ears, the long lank 
body, and the quick movement of the foot, which 
was stayed just as it reached the ground. The 
size they put as three times as large as a big dog. The 
panther approached a log and put its forefeet upon it, 
and they had a good look at its foot. Its front legs 
were as large as a man's arm, sleeve and all. It was 
when the panther was in this attitude that it slightly 
turned its head and caught sight of the men. Like a 
flash of light, it sprung clear across the back channel 
and took to the mountain side. 
Oh, the things you see when you haven't got a gun! 
•What would the naturalist, who waits around to photo- 
graph animals, given to have been there when that pan- 
ther had its front feet on the log. The boys 
say that it made no noise whatever as it 
ran through the woods. They went to see where it had 
sprung across the stream. It had sailed across, without 
raising perceptibly, a distance of about 25ft., and had 
alighted on a rock. The print of its wet feet was to be 
seen on the rock. From thence it had jumped ashore in 
a muddy place and it made a track in the mud like a 
horse. At nowhere else could they discover the imprint 
of its foot. 
The presence of this panther will discourage fishing 
parties to Cranberry, where the trout are about ex- 
hausted. It will not be pleasant camping out when 
the fire burns down, with a mountain lion as big as a 
yearling steer prowling about the camp. 
mt[t j§ag and <§nn. 
Horn Measurements. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
"Record head," How shamefully this term is being 
abused, especially in the past three years; or since the 
giant moose from Alaska made his appearance in public 
and placed all former records (so far as moose are con- 
cerned) far in the shade. 
What constitutes a record head? Certainly not the 
one that merely has the widest spread across the horns 
after being mounted, which seems to be the most popu- 
lar plan of deciding by some innocent though wily 
taxidermists. Providing the head, or rather the horns, of 
a moose, elk or deer are measured fairly and squarely 
(for with these animals it is really the horns that are 
considered, generally speaking), several measurements 
are necessary. Many claim the largest head on record 
in consequence of the horns spreading to a greater 
width than any recorded. This means nothing unless 
one simply wishes to claim the record for spread alone. 
This single measurement is of little consequence when 
taking into consideration general size, beauty, massive- 
ness, number of points and weight. 
A man might claim a record for horns bearing great- 
est number of prongs, or for horns with greatest length 
or greatest thickness or weight. Any one of these feat- 
ures alone does not constitute a '"record" in the general 
acceptance of the term. For instance, one of the first 
giant moose heads that astonished the public was ex- 
hibited about two years ago. It was one of the Alaska 
variety, and before it was mounted was measured fairly 
by noted authorities on such things, for instance. Dr. 
Merriam, of U. S. Biological Survey; Hon. Theo. 
Roosevelt and Geo. Bird Grinnell, of Forest and 
Stream, men whose names and reputations would be 
accepted anywhere. The horns of this head, instead of 
having a tendency to spread apart, lay almost straight 
backward at direct angles with each other. Even in this 
form their greatest width was 70%'m. This was, of 
course, remarkable and unheard of, but still more so were 
the other measurements. The palms measured 29m. in 
width, not including the prong, or 35m. with prong 
(almost a yard), and each palm was s6^in. in length 
(simply the blade, not entire horn). The circumference 
of the horn at the burr was not extraordinary; but the 
number of prongs was marvelous, the horns were very 
uniform, the weight was very great, and taking every- 
thing into consideration the head and horns were al- 
lowed to be the largest and finest on record. Pictures 
and an account of the head were published by one of the 
leading sportsmen's mediums, granting it to be the 
"record moose head." But suddenly, owing to mislead- 
ing pictures and statements, the glory due this head was 
doomed to short life, for the same journal in its follow- 
ing number printed an illustration with an account of 
another Alaska moose head, with horns spreading 
7S r /i'm., the spread being the only measurement given; 
but it was claimed to be the "record" regardless of other 
measurements, size, weight and general appearance. 
This last mentioned head was sold for a large figure, 
and passed through New York for transshipment, and in 
order to satisfy themselves Forest and Stream had its 
representative examine and measure the head. Although 
he found the spread to be apparently 73^in., the blades 
measured only i8in., or little more than half the width 
of the ^o^in. head mentioned in their former issue. His 
own words to writer were that the head and horns were 
babies compared to the head the horns of which meas- 
ured /O^in. And the paper very promptly and fairly 
acknowledged . the wrong done. I merely cite this in- 
stance to prove that the mere spread of horns goes for 
nothing, except as to that measurement alone. A man 
might have a swelled head and not hold the record for 
having the most brains. 
Comparatively small, light-beamed horns might have 
ian abnormal spread. In fact I have seen horns almost 
deformed by spreading remarkably wide apart. They 
were not necessarily large horns, but simply inclined to 
spread during growth. 
In justice to all fair minded collectors and taxidermists 
I should be pleased to see heads and horns measured and 
judged according to their respective merits, by men 
lyhose knowledge and authority is beyond question. To 
avoid the devices of fakirs or unprincipled and unscrupu- 
lous men, horns should be weighed and measured in the 
rough, raw state before being mounted, as I he natural 
skull can be seen and no deception can be used, such as 
has been resorted to recently to give spread and ap- 
parent size. The prices realized for the large Alaska 
moose heads were certainly very high, and such tempta- 
tions are too great, for some taxidermists to withstand. 
Moose heads having an actual measurement of 58m. 
spread have been sold as 68in., and one head having an 
actual measure of fain, was spread to 74111. by simply 
splitting the skull in the center, separating the horns, al- 
lowing them to spread to desired measure, and then fast- 
ening the split skull by blocking the opening in the 
center and bolting together. The scalp is, of course, then 
too narrow across the forehead and neck to be drawn 
over the falsified skull. This is remedied by skillfully 
setting in a piece from another scalp. This is most de- 
grading to the art and profession of taxidermy, and dis- 
gusting to all fair minded people. 
In the sportsmen's exhibitions of this year, both in 
Boston and New York, five or six heads of the Alaska 
moose were exhibited. They certainly all had large 
handsome antlers, but they were all offered for sale at 
prices according to their spread, when not a single horn 
was fast to its natural skull. Everyone had been sawn 
off, drilled and bolted on to a large iron pin that pro- 
truded from the unnatural or improvised skull. Let 
us have fair judgment and fair measurements on heads 
and horns, taking all features or points into considera- 
tion, not any one single point. A horse, a dog, in fact 
anything is not judged to excel in consequence of any 
one or two points. Every point is considered and brief] 
judgment is passed as a whole. Horns by right should 
be weighed if possible, taking as a basis the horns and 
clean, dry skull. Where skull or part is missing, or 
where it is covered with the flesh, allowances should be 
made. 
Moose horns should be measured for spread on 
straight line across widest prongs, width of palm fol- 
lowing the flat surface at widest part with and without 
prong; length of palm in same manner, measuring on 
under side; entire length of each horn, beginning at ex- 
treme end of prong nearest inside, following inside curve 
to the burr; circumference at burr, also between burr 
and blade, and number of prongs on each horn; then 
with description of general shape, etc., the whole can be 
judged. With elk, the weight if possible; widest straight 
spread across: total length of each horn from longest 
point following inside curve to burr; length on curve 
of each pair of prongs from main beam to tip, begin- 
ning at brow prongs and numbering them first, second, 
third, fourth, fifth, sixth and more if they have them; 
circumference at burr and just outside of burr; general 
uniformity, form and massiveness. Caribou are so pecu- 
liar in formation and so lacking in uniformity that 
measurements are difficult, but I would say that with 
spread, length of each horn, circumference and especial- 
ly number of prongs and statement as to how evenly 
distributed with each pair of palms, width of brow 
palms, if two and if locked or folded, general massive- 
ness and uniformity, they can be fairly judged. Deer 
can be measured and judged the same as elk. Mountain 
sheep should be weighed with dry, clean skull, largest 
circumference taken at base, greatest length of each horn 
on outside curve, and as the extreme large horns of this 
animal are usually worn or broken off at the tips, it would 
be fair to allow the blue ribbon to the horns with great- 
est circumference in conjunction with finest form and 
most perfect tips. Antelope should be measured as 
follows: Length of each horn on line of outside curve, 
spread, circumference at base, general form and ap- 
pearance. 
Skulls could be measured in length from base to nasal 
bone, and width across the eye cavity, where they are 
complete. But to take measurements of a mounted head 
in many instances would be ridiculous, as very few taxi- 
dermists have any idea of proportions and anatomy; and 
given a nice fresh scalp most taxidermists stuff it con- 
siderably out of proportion, it is so elastic; and con- 
sequently measurements would be a farce. 
With buffalo, I would emphatically state that the only 
authentic measurements should be from the skull and 
horns. Other measurements should be given in the 
flesh and sworn to. The idea of measuring a buffalo 
head (excepting size and spread of horns) when mounted 
is positively ridiculous. 
The only fair way to measure heads and horns is in 
the rough, raw state, and not mounted. 
I trust that the above remarks will lead toward the 
solving of a very interesting question, that can be very 
easily adjusted and handled by the sportsmen's associa- 
tions of the different cities, official records being taken 
and kept, and that some influential sportsmen and lovers 
of fair play will interest themselves in seeing that credit 
is given where due. VVm. W. Haht. 
Maryland General and Local Laws. 
President Geo. Dobbin Penniman, of the Maryland 
State Game and Fish Protective Association, writes: In 
our general game law most of the counties were exempt- 
ed from the operation of the law as far as it might 
change any of their local game laws. The effect of this, of 
course, would be to make the general law applicable 
orr all points not covered by the local game laws; and 
while we were not able to produce as much uniformity 
as we desired in the open and closed seasons for ad- 
joining counties, on account of the great jealousy which 
exists in our State against general legislation, as it 
affects the local interests of the counties, still in many 
of the local laws passed for the counties during the 
session of 1898 there was a decided tendency to come as 
closely as possible to the seasons named in our bill. 
After the bill had become a law four of the counties, 
which were excepted when the bill passed, expressed 
their willingness to come under the general bill, but it 
was then so late in the session that this could not be 
arranged. I have no doubt that at the session of 1900, 
when the people throughout the State have had an op- 
portunity to become familiar with the features of the 
general law, most of the counties will come in un- 
der its provisions. ; 
Pelts and Winter Meat 
IT was in the fall of 1891 that Bert Reed, an old-timer 
in the Rocky Mountains, who was a neighbor ranchman, 
and myself formed a partnership to go trapping in the 
mountains of Colorado and Wyoming. It was our ob- 
ject besides getting furs to kill our winter's meat, and 
also meat for some of our neighbors, who could not get 
away from their ranches. 
I left the ranch Sept. 22, with the agreement that 
Bert was to nwt me "at one of our old camp grounds 
in Stump Park in a few days. The morning I started 
the mountains were white with the first snow of the 
season, and by the time I had traveled up the mountains 
three or four miles I found the fresh, soft snow hanging 
heavily on the trees. My ranch being the furthest settle- 
ment into the mountains at that point, I was out of sight 
of any settlement from the start. The feeling of being 
alone entirely and going further each hour from civili- 
zation is one, not of loneliness, but of supreme delight 
to a lover of the forest. 
About 12 o'clock I arrived at the spot agreed upon 
to await the arrival of my companion. We were each to 
carry a bed and complete camping outfit, so that if 
circumstances required we could operate in different 
localities, which required each of us taking a saddle 
horse and pack horse. After setting up the tent and 
making a comfortable camp, I spent the time scouring 
the country surrounding for a distance of several miles 
to ascertain the prospects for game and fur-bearing 
animals. For two days I followed up my investigations, 
finding some elk and deer signs, and an abundance of 
marten. On my return to camp on the third day I found 
Bert in camp, and felt a relief at being able to say some- 
thing to somebody. After supper we discussed the 
best course to pursue, and decided to push further into 
the mountains the next day. 
That night it snowed a little. The next morning, as 
we were eating our breakfast about daylight, sitting 
just under cover of the tent, and looking across a small, 
open park, we saw two deer standing looking at the 
smoke of our camp-fire; without getting up I reached 
back in the bed and got my gun and took a shot; but 
it was beyond my range, for I am not generally a dead 
shot at 200 or 300yds.; and after pausing an instant they 
went on to make more tracks and make some other hunt- 
er's heart glad. We were on our way at an early hour, 
as was our custom, and by noon were on top of the 
Continental Divide, which separates the eastern and 
western waters. 
There we decided to camp and see what we could find; 
and after dinner we took opposite directions to learn 
what game was in our immediate vicinity. 
After climbing a discouragingly high mountain to a 
distance of perhaps a mile from camp, I found tracks of 
elk, which I judged had been made early that day. The 
snow was gone only in patches, and it was difficult trail- 
ing. Across a ravine I saw a cow feeding along the side 
of the mountain about a half-mile away. I didn't look 
any more for tracks, but made my way cautiously in the 
direction of the game. When ncaring the place where 
f had sighted the cow, a bull bounded to its feet not 
more than 30yds. from me, and making a few jumps 
stopped, turned and looked right into the .45-90. The 
distance being very short, I scored a hit. and he came 
tumbling down the side of the mountain straight toward 
me, and when he finally came to a "lie still" was but a 
few steps away. Turning around to look for the cow, I 
saw her standing 100yds. away, and fired; then another 
bull tore up along the side of the mountain, and I took . 
a running shot at him, and "there were others," seven in 
all, that I saw, but I stopped shooting and commenced 
looking for results. 
The one by my side I knew was mine. Going to where 
the cow had stood, I saw her lying dead near by, and 
then went to look for the third, but found I had made 
a clean miss. As by previous arrangement one of our 
neighbors was to come in two days later with a pack out- 
fit to get meat, Ave felt ready to receive him; for two elk 
make a good pack load for four horses. At that time the 
greater part of the settlers in that region depended en- 
tirely upon the game for their meat, and as the game 
did not winter in the locality on account of the great 
depth of snow, it was necessary to lay in a supply in the 
fall to last all winter. 
Bert had been informed where an elk had recently been 
killed, and that afternoon had taken his 43lb. bear trap 
and went to the spot where the entrails were, and spent 
the evening planting his "jewelry" for any stray bear that 
might come that way. When I reached camp about 
sundown with the elk antlers over my shoulders, the 
barn-door smile on Bert's countenance was suggestive 
of dreams of fresh meat in camp. The next morn- 
ing we both went out to the bear trap and found, no, not 
a bear, but a red fox "in it with both feet." Both front 
legs were caught up close to the shoulder, and, of 
course, it could not move the trap out of its bed. 
We remained in that camp a week, during which 
time several inches of snow fell, making good tracking; 
and we spent most of our time tramping over the 
mountains in search of bear tracks, as to that we meant 
to give special attention during the first snows. No 
bear tracks were found, but there was a great abundance 
of elk and deer. One morning early, while going in 
search of bear, and while passing near where I had 
killed the elk, and while it was snowing very fast, I 
crossed the trail of a band of elk which must have 
numbered at least fifty, and scarcely any fresh snow had 
fallen in their tracks; they were certainly less than ten 
minutes ahead, and were feeding as they traveled. It ' 
was a great chance to get meat, but we had plenty for 
that time, and I went on after bear tracks. 
At another time, while coming in in the evening, when 
within five minutes' walk of camp, I crossed the fresh 
trail of five deer, and through curiosity circled around, 
taking in perhaps four acres, and found that they had 
not gone outside of the circle; but we needed no meat 
and I resisted the tempting offer. 
During our stay there we caught six marten between 
bear hunts. We next moved our camp to Buffalo Park, a 
point several miles nearer home, and while moving, and 
within three miles of the intended camping ground, we 
crossed a bear track. The snow had gone off the south 
t 
