New-York tribune., 1873-08-02
MODERN DEER-HUNTING.

HUNT FOR THE BENEFIT OF A CITY SPORTSMAN
Five SHOTS TO BRING DOWN BUcK-A DOE
SHOT WHILE ASLEEP. .
tFRoMAS OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRrBUYEl
THE WooDs, July 20.-"A deer hunt in
July" hear one remark "why 1t is q violation OF the
law" Very true but II Is one OF the great charms OF the
wilderness that In II feels free from oil outward re-
srant both Of society aud law Besides IL is said neces
sty knows law. Moreover. when one considers law
oppressive he rather likes to break 1t IL he can with i'm
puniy. As my old friend Jabbotis the Indian said TO
me the other day: "The Deer law was made for the
whito man. not for the Indian. The white man keeps
his sheep and when he wants mutton he kills one the
Indian has sheep, the deer his Sheep and when
he wants one he has right to kill it." Very good logic
thought. Again. fresh meat but vcnon is to be had
in this forest and will have 1t in spite OF the law
SO also the the margin OF the wilderness know
that their guests after long days ride rough
road expect IL for supper and dissatisfied II they do
not get it. Hence you there good many solid
| reasons up here for not respecting the game laws.
Well, came to a log house, where accommodations
furnished for few who might wish to stop day
or two before pushing farther into the woods the
time that ladies stopping there, preparing
20 into camp; at time, too, when there nothing
but salt pork In the house. The host therefore deter
mined TO put ont the hounds in the morning. might
have added that the dogs out Of forage tOO and
deer quite essential TO their comfort az 10 ours
II so happened tnat young from the city had been
staying here for weeks, who sportsman yet
exceedingly anxious to shoot deer He had been very
lavish OF his money mine host gave his orders that
none but young kill the deer IL one was brought
in The ladies were to occupy one boat, and lie of in
the middle OF the lake 10 see the sport AS
allowed to take part in the hunt, concluded to
company them. Four boats Of us in all pushed
off, three OF them each carrying a. brace Of
hounds and "starter," beside the rover. Row
IN
hounds and disappeared in the forest. The boatmen
then proceeded TO those localities that best commanded
the little lake. and. hauling their boats ashore were
soon hidden from view IN the green foliage while
lay on our the center of the lake. It beau
tiful morning-not cloud dimmed the marveously
clear blue sky overhead the great mountains nolosed
US in their green amphtheaer, while not sound dis
turbed the Sabbath stiffness the low tnkng of the
rppes they gently Tapped the sides OF the boat The
fore had shut everything In and for nearly an hour
sound or disturbed the serenity OF tho scene At
length the sharp cry OF hound burst from the eafy
covering showing that at least track was struck.
They do the pure-booded hound here-he is too
slow I'm this rough rugged cover-but q breed
that his cry is not the deep mouhed stag hounds
heavy bay" but quick sharp sound, and he presses
the quarry ercey that he soon takes to the water
II lacks the music OF the deep sonorous bay OF the pure
hound rising at regular intervals from out of the forest
s It exciting from the desperate fury with which
shows that the dog is pressing on his foe.
The cry went steadily mp the breast Of the mountain,
dpped over the summit and ceased to be heard and 81
lence once more rested the lake. Another halhour
passed. when again burst on the ear, more fierce and
savage than ever obhquely down the breast OF
the mountain toward the center OF the lake. All eyes
wero bent In that direction and at last saw it swim
ming across the lake. The ladies in vain to
IL, expecting TO behold great body moving in the
water whereas but two black points not larger than
dncks neck-hs ears-were only visible. The next
moment I saw a blue boat shoot out from shore and
ade like an arrow toward the frightened creature The
boatman soon oyerhaued but not to kill It, and drove 1t
directly toward boat that the ladies might have
good view OF IT, 1t really painful to witness the
terror OF its large soft gentle eye, as 1t swan alongside.
and as touched IL with my hand IL uttered paintiye
beat that aroused all the sympathes OF the ladies' and
they be gged piteously that 1t might be spared.
The guide only laughed at this, and turning round.
drove IL TO little island, TO keep it there till young
could come and it, Between the long chase the
mountain side, the half mile swim TO us and back
again. and its terrible fright, when 1t reached the shore
II was 20 exhausted that it lay down at the feet Of the
hunter and fell fast asleep. Our host and young-
were I'm an opposite direction, waiting for the other
bound 10 bring IN deer Soon the boat shoot out
from its eafy covering toward deep cove, and knew
that one was crossing there. Heading him of flor was
buck) they drove him to another island, not
100 rods from where lay This was done that young
did not wish to shoot him while swimming, for at this
season OF the year. when the deer In what they call
the red coat" II killed they will sink instantly like
lead 10 the bottom and be lost Neither did he wish 10
have his companion catch the deer by the tall is
tomary and hold while he put the muzze Of his rifle
70 the animals head and blew his brains out This would
be feat 1t would not do to boast Of. 30 soon as
the buck rose from the lwater he fired. Scarce O
minute elapsed before him bound the top OF
the island his tail In the air. showing that he was not
hurt and again take to the water. In few moments
the bow of the boat shot round the point OF the island
and the poor fellow was headed of and driven back
toward the shore The boat pressed him close that
when he rose from the water 1t not over 80 feet
distant from him. Bang again went the young mans
rife, but the buck unhurt, with his flag still flying
sprang up bank aud disappeared the trees Oh the
top. heard his bold plunge for life the other side
But again the boat cut him Of and he turned TO the
shore. Another shot, and again the deer came bounding
back unscathed, and made another desperate effort 10
swim TO Shore Vain effort Headed of as before he
compelled to return to the island, receiving his
enemys shot as he sprang up the bank and bounded of
unhurt This was repeated ive times before the deer
fell. and yet do not believe the young woudbe sports
at any time than thirty feet the buck
The poor doe on the adjoining island had slept through
all this cannonadng. and now the young gentleman
rowed over 20 It, and, putting the nuzze OF his rifle TO
the unconscious creatures ear sent bullet through It's
brain.
Two deer in one day with rde was feat to boast
OF 70 those inhe city who did not know how IL was
DONE Driving deer with hounds, instead OF shooting
them nc evening their feedinggrounds or floating
them at night not resored ~ because they are be-
coming but the hotels for sportsmen require too
large and steady supply Of venison to depend on the
latter mode alone. especially as the constant now OF
tourists aud the firing and racket they make along ne
great thorouehares drive them away 10 more secluded
spots You caunot see, when first came INTO the
woods from two TO nfty deer standing on the peAcn "