Oct. i, 1904.I 
FOREST AND STREAM 
283 
and with his own keen sight, while the other perhaps en- 
joys a siesta as he sits in the sweet scented huckleberry 
bushes that grow over the point. 
What pleasant meditations can be indulged in on such 
occasions, with the atmosphere of peaceful solitude act- 
ing like a restful balm to the mind and the worries of the 
outside world dispelled. From the timbered hill across 
the pond comes the wild scream of a hawk, and blue- 
jays call shrilly to one another in reply; a squirrel rattles 
noisily up the small pitch pine standing near-by; and 
now suddenly the watcher on the rocks leaves his posi- 
tion quietly, while the eyes of his companion fix them- 
selves on a moving red spot which has appeared on a 
strip of marsh half a mile or so away. 
Gently the guide boat is slipped out, and one of the 
men seats himself in the bow facing ahead, stepping 
carefully on the soft bed of hemlock boughs covering the 
bottom, for even at a long distance deer that are wild 
will, with their acute hearing, detect any strange noise 
and disappear before one is fairly started out after them. 
Silently the boat moves up the pond; but in a few 
minutes glasses are brought to bear on the object, and 
after a moment's scrutiny they turn back, for a closer 
view reveals a thin, mule-eared old doe. 
At noon the hunters go a short distance back in the 
woods and unload their pack basket of frying-pan, cof- 
fee-pot, and perhaps a fresh venison steak, building a 
small fire, over which the latter is soon sending up an 
appetizing aroma that greets their nostrils most fra- 
grantly. Every now and then one of the two walks out 
to the pond and takes a good survey of the shore, in 
order that no deer may give them the slip while they are 
feeding the inner man. Thus after the relish of an out- 
door repast and a taste of camp-fire, they return to the 
watch ground, hoping for better success during the 
afternoon. 
Not until the sun is lowering in the west, and cool 
shadows are reflecting in the water, is anything seen. 
Then up the lake, where the last brilliant rays strike on 
the shore, bringing out every line and detail with clear 
distinctness, they perceive a deer partly hidden behind a 
fallen tree. For the fourth time the boat is pushed 
silently out, and with the powerful glare of the sun in 
their favor, they glide quickly toward the red object 
walking slowly along in the water. As they draw nearer 
it proves to be a good sized deer, and a still closer in- 
spection shows a pair of horns surmounting the head. 
At intervals the buck looks up uneasily, for undoubtedly 
he is a wild chap, as shown by a certain nervous, proud 
manner ; but his keen nose fails to detect anything un- 
usual, and the light of the sun hides the oncoming boat. 
Seventy-five yards or so off the hunter in the bow holds 
up his hand, and at the same instant as the ether stops 
paddling, the buck throws back his head with a start, for 
now he can discern a blurred, dark object moving toward 
him in the path of sunshine. But the peep sight is on his 
shoulder before he can change his broadside position, and 
at the report he gives a springing bound into the air, 
whirls, and dashes into the woods. Both men listen in- 
tently to the sound of cracking bushes, followed by abso- 
lute silence, and then one whispers, "He's down," the 
. other nodding in pleased assent, nevertheless knowing 
well that a deer in the hand is worth two in the bush. 
Pushing ashore at the spot where the buck disappeared, 
they find the trail and follow it with great caution. But 
there is no need of a second shot. Here he lies behind 
a moss-covered log, stone dead, a bullet hole through 
the center of his shoulder. This is a pleasant moment, 
and although the deer is not a 200-pounder, he is a fat, 
handsome three-year-old, with slim velvet horns; and the 
clean shot the hunter has made perhaps warms his heart 
most of all. 
In a certain region of the Adirondacks with which I 
am familiar, there existed a large clearing oi eighty 
acres or more, surrounded on every side by thick woods, 
and not within the immediate vicinity of any human 
habitation. A good part of it was covered by chimps and 
thickets of birch, poplar, and beach saplings of forty 
years' growth, while some open stretches were under a 
meagre cultivation, usually planted with oats or buck- 
wheat, for long since had the last blackened stumps 
crumbled away. It was an ideal hunting ground for 
both still-hunting or watching, as there were quantities 
of feed suited to a deer's palate, and after a favorab'e 
winter a number of animals were always to be found in 
and around it. Undoubtedly there are clevinrs alike to 
this one in various parts of the North Weeds offering 
the same conditions, and where by careful hunting cut 
would obtain just as good results. 
On the south side of the cleared land mentioned, a 
strip of saplings separated a large field, borderinj 011 the 
woods, from the main clearing, and also a smaller one 
adjoining the former, both being invisible from each 
other. When the long, gray shadows had com nenccd 
to fall, and the glow of the western sky was growing 
fainter, a big buck was liable to step forth frcm the dark 
seclusion of the woods, where he had probably been 
quietly lurking for an hour or more, and cause the 
watcher in the distant blind to grip his rifle and get 
under control a momentary attack of buck fever. The 
gray outlines of a deer's body melting into the equally 
neutral color of the earth, makes him practically invisible 
at a hundred yards if it is twilight or early morning, and 
therefore at half this distance to place the bullet in a kill- 
ing spot is far from easy. As the forward sight is 
chalked, in order that it will show more clearly, the 
chance of shooting high is increased, unless the rifle 
snoots a little low, as it should under such conditions, 
for even an old hand becomes liable to graze or break a 
deer's back in a poor light. There are times when one of 
these large bucks will take a notion to come out early in 
the afternoon, and still more often, as every hunter 
knows, they will not show themselves: at all, only those 
deep, heifer-like tracks one runs across sometimes, betray 
the owner's presence. 
Still-hunting on old log roads, trails or carries are the 
only ways this mode of hunting can be pursued success- 
fully during the earlier part of the season. In November 
it is a different consideration when a soft snow muffles 
any sound and one can travel through the woods very 
silently : but before this, to hunt quietly where a twig 
cracks at each step, logs have to be clambered over, 
one has really more Jo do watching his feet llian keeping 
a sharp look out for deer. Perhaps on a stormy or rainy 
day by good luck a deer might be come upon unawares, 
but the chances are very slight of ever doing so. On the 
other hand, where a comparatively open path or road is 
hunted, especially if after a shower, and also if a wind is 
blowing, one becomes pretty sure of seeing deer with 
careful hunting. 
Even on a bright, quiet afternoon, and toward sun- 
down, considering that deer are plentiful in the neighbor- 
hood, the hunter may obtain a shot and be well re- 
warded should he do so, as the conditions require an 
extra amount of caution. Moccasins, with or without 
rubbers, are a good all-around outfit for the feet, and one 
not used to the former putting on the latter over them 
makes walking much less tiresome. The woods almost 
everywhere are cut up with log roads, tote roads, trails 
and carries, so it is therefore the best plan to confine 
A 246-POUND BUCK. 
still-hunting to such places and not try the unbroken 
forest, provided any measure of success is anticipated. 
Seeing deer in the woods, unless they chance to stand 
out in plain view, is something that must be cultivated 
and taught by experience. Often only an ear, leg, horn,, 
or small portion of the body will be visible, and it is for' 
such objects the eye must search. The keen sight of 
some of the natives in this region is remarkable, as is 
their ability to follow up a wounded deer. A trail that 
will be almost invisible to many unless they stoop and 
examine the ground closely, moving very slowly, one of 
these men will follow at a rapid walk. 
This method of hunting is undoubtedly one of the 
most pleasant, and when autumn frosts have colored the 
leaves in rich, varied hues, the woods, if anything, be- 
T II REE VENERABLE HUNTERS. 
come a more constant source of delight. With those 
sweet, nut-like odors of fall in one's nostrils, and the 
fact that each cautious step may bring a deer in sight, 
adds a sensation of anticipation and free enjoyment ex- 
perienced by all followers of the game trail. . . 
Nevertheless, every mode of hunting, barring pot- 
hunters' ways and wiles, has its own intrinsic merits and 
pleasures, so it is somewhat amusing to read in recent 
able works on these topics the harsh criticism all 
methods of shooting receive, except those suited to the 
author's personal taste. It is very well for the expert 
still-hunter, who has had both time and opportunity to 
learn and study the rudiments of that art, to hold up his 
hands in horror at the thought of killing a deer by any 
simpler means, such as shooting in a clearing or watching 
a runway, but what difference does it make to the deer, 
provided he is properly shot and killed? Certainly to 
place the muzzle of a rifle practically against the animal's 
body, as was often the case in hounding or crusting, now 
prohibited by law^jwas always slimmed by sportsmen, 
as any brutality will ever be detested; hut to condemn 
other methods of hunting except following a deer by 
stealth, is without reason or foundation. 
Nowadays, as the limits on all kinds of game shooting 
draw narrower, one appreciates and enjoys more every 
bit of fur or feather brought to bag, and to him who 
cares especially for deer hunting, the staunch old Adir- 
ondacks, striving bravely to cling to their wild, virgin 
solitude, proves a near-by source of unfailing pleasure, 
offering woodland areas where one of America's noblest 
game , animals still lingers. Paulina Brandreth. 
Duck Shooting in Australia. 
Our party consisted of three old hands in one trap 
and three young larrikins in the other. We left Outram 
at 9 o'clock on Friday morning. The weather was 
somewhat threatening, but it kept fine all the way up to 
the Sutton, where wc camped. A rabbiter had a queer 
little tent here, made up in a corner of the old hut at the 
Sutton. I had rather a long yarn with him. He was 
evidently an educated man. He seemed to have had a 
university education, and had traveled in different parts 
of the world. His father had been an officer in India; it 
was quite a treat to speak to a man who took such an 
intelligent interest in things in general. It was queer 
to see the high class of books he read, stuffed away in a 
little tent affair, covered over with sacks. A good many 
people would call ;t a dog's hole. One had to crawl 
into it. 
We started off next morning in good time, the gentle- 
manly rabbiter helping us to pack. The roads were in 
better order than at any time I have ever seen them, 
especially up to Deep Stream. On the mountain itself 
there was a strong cold wind blowing, with misty sleet, 
which made things exceedingly unpleasant. Half-way 
over the mountain (lie party in the other trap were 
somewhat unfortunate in breaking one of their swingle- 
trees. We had to make a rough one out of a pice of 
firewood we were carrying, fastening this in the center 
with some fencing wire, and attaching the traces at the 
ends in the best way we could. I say we, my part of 
it was to hold the reins till they got the job done. How- 
ever, we pushed on, and got down into the Upper 
Taieri Flat about half past twelve, and forded the river 
above the big lagoon a little later. We camped by the 
rocks just this side of the Green Swamp, our party 
putting the horses on one side of the fence and the 
other party putting theirs on the other side, hoping 
thus to keep the horses from straying. Nearly all of 
the party, after having lunch, went up to the flat to dig 
mimis, while I stayed back to put up the small tent. 
There were any number of ducks flying about, a good 
few geese and an enormous quantity of swans. We 
were in a good part (in fact, the best) of the flat. There 
was any amount of water in the lagoon, and being first 
in this place, there was a lagoon for each member of 
the party (six in all). We had high hopes for the 
morning. During the evening it was somewhat un- 
pleasant to notice that the lagoon that runs up from the 
river between the fence and the rocks was rising rather 
rapidly to our camp. 
Next morning, about half-past two, the old hand of 
the party became restless, and started talking away 
like a Chinaman, although neither of the other two 
gave him any encouragement, as they were both en- 
joying a pretty good sleep. However, his continued 
efforts in the Chinaman direction had their effect at 
last, and one of the party became more wakeful. All 
hands were turned out about half-past four, although 
there was no possibility of doing any shooting for two 
hours. However, after having a hasty breakfast, we 
were all dragged through the swamp, those without 
gum boots or fishing, trousers having a bad time of it. 
as there was a heavy frost on. Owing, to the lagoon 
and the Deep Creek being somewhat higher than we 
expected, it took us a good deal longer than we thought 
it would to reach our mimis. I trudged on in the dark 
behind one who I thought was the "old hand." After 
following him about half a mile, I heard him give a sat- 
isfied grunt, and put down his trappings by his mimi; 
then I knew I had been following the wrong man, and 
had to find my way back. By the time I had the canvas 
decoys blown up and Ptt ached by cords on a good long 
line "the day was breaking, and the ducks were begin- 
ning to come in. The "old hand" soon began to make 
good practice, bringing down right and left in first-class 
style in no time, and before long we had the start of a 
good bag, though I was shooting poorly. However, 
things slacked off somewhat during the day, and al- 
though there seemed to be such an enormous quantity 
of ducks during the eve of the first, it turned out on the 
whole to be rather a poor day. I had the good fortune 
to bring down three geere the first morning, the "old 
hand" getting one, the other members of the party on 
that day got none. Swans there were in plenty; in fact, 
never more so; but we did not bother with them at all. 
Ducks of all sorts were coming in — paradise, grays, 
spoonbills and teal — thare was plenty of variety. Un- 
fortunately, the water kept on rising, and during that 
day it rose about 9 inches, the wood decoys and the 
natural ones having to be shifted every now and then. 
There was a cold, bitter wind, and occasionally sleeting 
showers coming down all day, and we were all glad to 
leave our mimis much earlier than we would have done 
if the day had been finer. Counting up the scores that 
night, the blacksmith had made a good bag by himself 
on the top of the lagoon (about forty-four), the old 
hand about twenty-two and myself fourteen. The others, 
having no decoys, had not done nearly so well — about 
twenty between the three of them. 
Next day the water was still rising, being about 3 
feet off our tent door. Wc shifted some of the goods 
out of our tent, but as wc thought the water would go 
down now, we did not bother to shift the tent, there 
being little time so early in the morning. The ducks 
were flying even better than the first day, although we 
did not do quite so well. Total for three men, 107 
ducks for two days. When we got back to camp we 
found that the water had come right up into our tent. 
We had to shift it on to higher ground among the 
tussocks, nearly all the cut tussocks and the tent being 
' wet; the bedding being at the head of the tent was 
luckily for us, dry. We now thought it was rime to 
