National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-09
THE BUFFALO.

INCIDENTS IN FRONTIER EXPERT
ENCES.
A late issue Of the Greeley (Col.) Tribune
contains letter from Mr.. r. r. Smith in rels-
ton to the haunts of the great herds of buffalo
throughout the past few months, with other
particulars as to the way in which they have
teen hunted, different styles of hunting, the
mode of life of the hunter, sc. Mr.. Smith
says the main herds of the buffalo have been on
the north side of the Platte river during the
most of the past winter. They eros sed from
the south about the last of November, owing
to the fact that their customary pasture grounds
were burned over. In October there was a fire
over one hundred miles along the north side Of
the Kansas Pacific railroad, and millions Of
acres were as black as they could be. This
compelled the herds to seek new fields. Con-
corning the habits of the animal, Mr.. Smith
writes:
The bufalos live near some stream or spring,
grazing from one to ten miles from 1t. They
do not go more than two days without drink
There are three ways of hunting them-still-
hunting, on the plains on foot, and on horse
back The hunter who still-hunts finds where
they come for water, and keeps under the
bank, watching his opportunity. ABOUT IL
O'Clock q. N. the buffalos are seen making
their way to the water. They are both the
slowest and the feetest of all animals Tor their
size. They always goin file and follow path.
None break ranks except when ieedng or
frightened When within from one to ten rods
the hunter selects his victim, and aiming at q
point Just back of the foreleg, and about SIX
inches above the lowest part OF the body, 1res-
If one is brought down, he waits until others
go to him and ge. smell Of the blood; then
the "shootist" can generally kill four OR five
before the rest really know what to do. !
have fired fifteen rounds in one position, and
stopped only because did not with to kilI
more. I would then let them see me, and
they went off sans ceTsnio1is. The "foot-
hunter is compelled to follow herd, keeping
out of sight by hugging raVfnes and
running at best speed when an opportunity
offers, so as to get within range, If possible
He may get shot after nanguvenng lor
hours, or he may not. 1t is healthy sport, Bug
by no means profitable, or even pleasing
Hunting on horseback is thus portrayed; V1
horseback there is the most excitsmensi on
one occasion four of US came reon nero q
from $4,000 to $1,000. Issscala fhink the 20. -
was literally covered, eight by fye miles: we
] -..eed our horses, add BY riding nrst one
I Way and then another vs. got the herd oroKen'
and after an hour we 5.3ssnn. down al anu
more than we could desirSa Of tie esmp o.,
the buffalo hunter we have the folicTinr
| sketch: at Is constructed for comfort. ~ NJ
for convenience. II must be near water me
hunter has blankets, and n these be slee6s'.
The sky is bis tent, and the cactus ne fsstSS.
1cd He has f6s Choicest q meat r. and 1sS'G can
cook Il bis own way. have lived on Ora
ham mush and buffalo meat for week 1t .
time, and gained rapidly in flesh, although
ran ana walked many miles every day The
hunter enjoys health, happiness, and fun, es-
pecially II it be pleasant weather; but If q
storm comes on he had better start for shelter"
Relative to the use put to the buffalo when
killed, Mr.. Smith writes: "There has Leen q
great trade in buffalo beef this winter In
most cases only the headquarters are used
not that the rest Is not good, but that the
other is best, and when they are so plenty moth
ing but the best Is taken The hunter is
liable to q fine IL he kills and does not bring
all that Is good to eat into market. A local
market Is generally found at some house along
the main road, where the meat Is brought to
sell. This Is sold for one to one and fourth
cents per pound, and the tongues for fifteen
cents apiece Of tie hYpters headquaEters.n