The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-04-30
The Buffalo.

A late issue of the Greeley (Col.)
Tribune contains a letter from Mr.. II.
II. Smith In relation to the haunts of
the great herds of buffalo throughout
the past few months, with other par
ticulars as to the way in which they
have been hunted, different styles Of
hunting, the mode of life Of the
hunter, etc. Mr.. Smith says the main
herds of the buffalo have been on the
north side of the Platte River during
most of the past winter. They crossed
from the south about the last of No
vember, owing to the fact that their
pasture-grounds were burned over.
In October there was 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. Concern
ing the habits of the animal, Mr..
Smith writes:
"The buffalo 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 Oil foot,
and on horseback. The hunter who
still-hunts finds where they come for
water, and keeps under the bank,
watching his opportunity. About
eleven o'clock, a. M, the buffaloes
are seen making their way to the
water. They are both the slOwest
and fieetest of all animals for their
size. They always go In file and fol-
low path. None break rank except
when feeding or frightened. When
within from one to ten rods the hunt
er selects his victim, and aiming at a
point just back of the foreleg and
about six inches above the lowest
part of the body, fires. II one Is
brought down, he waits until others
go to him and get smell of the
blood; then the 'shOOtist' can gene
rally kill four or five before the rest
really know what to do. 1 have fired
fifteen rounds In one position, and
stopped only because did not wish
to kill more. would then let them
see me, and they went Off sans cere-
monte. The 'foot-hunter' Is compelled
to follow a herd, keeping out of sight
by huggiDg ravines, and running at
best speed when an opportunity Of
fers, so as to get within range, If pos
sible. He may get shot after ma
neuvering for hours, or he may not.
1t is healthy sport, but by no means
profitable, or even pleasing" Hunt
ing on horseback is thus portrayed:
"On horseback there Is the most ex-
element. On one occasion four Of us
came upon q herd of from 10000 to
$4,000. l should think the plain was
literally covered, eight by five miles.
We mounted our horses, and by rid
ing first one way and then another
we got the herd broken, and after an
hour we brought down all and more
than we could DESIRE" OF the camp
of the buffalo hunter we have the
following sketch: at is constructed
for comfort, and not for convenience.
1t must be near water. The hunter
has blankets, and in these he sleeps.
The sky is his tent, and the cactus his
featherbed. He has the choicest of
meat, and can cook it his own way.
l have lived on Graham mush and
buffalo meat for week at time, and
gained rapidly in flesh, although 1
ran and walked many miles every
day. The hunter enjoys health, hap
piness, and fun, especially if it be
pleasant weather; but If storm
comes on he had better start for shell
ter" Relative to the use put to the
buffalo when killed, Mr.. 8. writes:
'"There has been q great trade In buff
falo beef this winter. In most eases
only the headquarters are used-not
that the rest Is not good, but that the
nf lie,
plenty nothing but the best are taken.
The hunter Is liable to fine If 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 at the hunters head.
quarters"