1134 
FOREST AND STREAM 
Moose Hunting Is Man’s Work, But It Brings Its Reward in Magnificent Trophies. 
MOOSE HUNTING IN MINNESOTA 
A FEW DIRECTIONS THAT WILL 
HELP THE BIG GAME HUNTER 
By C. H. Lockwood. 
T HE fact that the year 1916 finds Minnesota 
practically the only state in the United 
States to welcome the moose hunter, may 
bring numbers of non-resident hunters to terri¬ 
tory largely unfamiliar. 
In speaking of Minnesota as a moose state one 
refers only to certain northern counties. The re¬ 
maining moose in Minnesota are scattered along 
the Canadian border or have taken refuge in the 
several northern forest reserves. There are quite 
a number of moose in the Superior reserve in 
St. Louis County, also in Cook and Lake Coun¬ 
ties. These counties are largely in their wild 
state. The last census taken by the Federal Gov¬ 
ernment showed 1,500 moose in the Superior re¬ 
serve alone. Illegal killing has had little to do 
with the shifting of the moose, but rather their 
location is a result of natural conditions of the 
country, or from the advance of civilization. 
Twenty years ago the country west of Duluth, 
and in fact on all sides and vicinities of the 
great lake, was a solid mass of virgin pine for¬ 
ests. In those days, old settlers tell that there 
were large numbers of woodland caribou, also 
quite a few moose; but that deer were scarce in 
the northern counties, the latter ranging down 
into the oak forests of central and southern Min¬ 
nesota. To-day, where stood those mighty for¬ 
ests of pine (in central and northern Minne¬ 
sota), we find instead miles and miles of black¬ 
ened pine stumps. The great pine forests have 
almost disappeared, and within that time, wit¬ 
nessed the passing of the caribou. 
With the passing of the caribou, moose were 
reported to have gradually taken the place of 
the caribou; and where the pine forests once 
stood, second growth hardwood, timothy and 
clover sprang up, an ideal feed for deer. In this 
territory deer may now be found in abundant 
numbers; while in southern Minnesota there are 
neither deer nor moose. 
Next to the northern counties, which are ac¬ 
cessible by rail, of equally great importance to the 
moose hunter is the lake dotted, rocky region ly¬ 
ing along the north shore of Lake Superior, ac¬ 
cessible by boat. This country is often spoken 
of in the vernacular of the Indians as the 
“Gitchee Gurnee” or Lake Superior country. 
The boat trip from Duluth to any of the stop¬ 
ping points along the north shore adds a very 
pleasant sensation to the trip; and in fact the 
journey to and from the hunting grounds should 
always be looked to for a part of the lasting 
impressions and pleasures derived from a vaca¬ 
tion. North shore steamers leave Duluth at least 
twice a week and the lake is navigable until well 
after hunting season. However, there are apt 
to be storms late in the fall, thus adding the 
chance of a little excitement. 
Principal stopping points along the north shore 
are Lutson, Beaver Bay, Grand Marais and Chi¬ 
cago Bay—it is safe to say the hunter will not go 
far amiss at either of these stops. Often, by 
writing to the post-master you can get in touch 
with teamsters, guides, etc. 
It is always a good plan to go well prepared 
with tents and other outfitting so that the party 
can be quickly independent of outside assistance. 
The distance one needs to go back from the 
shore to get into good moose country varies from 
one to twenty miles. A safe receipt might be— 
go as far as possible by boat or train, then travel 
to the limit of all wagon routes. Here pitch your 
permanent camp and prepare to hike back on foot 
for the real moose hunting. 
In speaking of moose hunting camps, it is well 
to keep in mind the difference between a perma¬ 
nent camp and a temporary camp. Usually it is 
poor policy to waste much time hunting in the 
vicinity of a permanent camp. Moose are very 
sensitive to the presence of a camp and usually 
move back as soon as such is located. 
The outfit for a temporary camp should con¬ 
sist of light weight cruising paraphernalia that 
can be comfortably packed for a two or three 
days’ journey, so that the hunters may stop and 
camp wherever night overtakes them. With such 
an outfit, wood and water are about the only 
additional requirements; and these are easily 
obtained. 
The greatest advantage from camping in the 
open is the fact that it gives the hunter an op¬ 
portunity to be early afoot in virgin hunting 
territory. 
Barring a discussion of snow tracking, the 
next best method of moose hunting usually em¬ 
ployed by the Indian moose hunter is to scout 
the hills and from the highest points look over 
the adjacent territory until game is sighted. The 
next proposition is to get the wind right; one 
sniff of man and you might as well look for a 
new track. On the other hand, with the wind 
favorable the hunter has a big advantage and 
should not fire until he is sure of a clean shot. 
While the sense of hearing of the moose is re¬ 
markably acute, it is to be little dreaded com¬ 
pared with their sense of smell. Their sight I 
have never noticed to be more than ordinary. 
Getting the game out of the woods perhaps 
presents the most difficult part of the proposition 
of moose hunting. 
“Packing” is the word that expresses the real 
work of moose hunting. Whether the carcass 
be cut up piecemeal or packed out entire, in 
either case it means work. 
Summing up moose hunting is man’s work. 
It is full of real hardships, real privations; there 
are many difficulties to be overcome. Moose may 
be both scarce and apparently, very wild; but 
usually, taken in the proper way they may be 
obtained. Plenty of good, wholesome food at the 
permanent camp, a light cruising outfit for tem¬ 
porary camps and a commonsense knowledge of 
the woods are some of the main requirements. 
