Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-13
nalO Hunting.
INTERESTING TO sroRrsMrN.

A late issue Of the Greeley Coli Tri-
bnne contains letter from Mr.. X. X.
Smith n relation to the baunts Of the great
herds Of buffalo throughout the past few
months. with other particulars as to the
way in which they have been hunted, dii-
ferent styles of hunting, the mode Of life OF
the hunter, etc Mr.. Smith says the main
herds of 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 November, owing to the
fact that their customary pasture-grounds
were burned over. In October there was
Gre over one hundred miles along the north
side of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, and
millions Of acres we're as black as could be.
This compelled the herds to seek new fields
Concerning the habits Of the animal Mr..
Smith writes
The buffalo live near some stream or
spring, grazing from one mile to ten miles
from it. They do not go more than two
DAYS without drink. There are three ways
ofhunting them -still-hunting, on the plains
on foot, aud on horseback. The hunter who
stil-hunts fluids where they come for water,
and keeps under the bank watching his OPP
portunity. About II o'clock, A. NJ, the
bufaloes are seen making their way to the
water. They are both the slowest and
heetest Of all animals Of their size. They
always 20 in file and follow path. None
break ranks except when feeding or fright
- Wkon ,,,4h,u icon, ono 20 ton rods
the hunter selects his victim, and aiming at
a point Just back of the ioreleg and about
six inches above the lowest part Of the
body, fires. If one is brought down, he
waits until others 90 to him and get a
smell Of the blood then the shootist can
generally kill four or FIVE before the resi-
really know what to do. have fred IF
teen rounds in one position, aud stopped
only because did not wish to kill more
would then let them see me, and they
went off, sans cerenioHie. The foot hunter
is compelled to follow a herd, keeping ou
of sight by huggng ravines, and running
at best speed when an opportunity offers
so as to get within range if possible. liz
may get a shot after manguvering 70
I hours, or he may not 1t is healthy sport
but by no means profitable OF even pleas
: ing" Hunting on horseback is thus por
trayed: "Ou horseback there is the mos
i excitement. On one occasion four of u
J, came upon a herd of from thirty to Eft
e thousand. | should think the plain wa
! literally covered, eight by five miles. w
mounted our horses, and by riding first on
Q way, and then another, we got the her
II broker, and after an hour we brought dow
d all and more than we could desire"
j. the camp of the buffalo hunter, we have III
l. following sketch 1t is constructed f
e comfort, and not for convenience. 1t mu
p DO near water. The hunter has blanket
IS and in these he sleeps. The sky is b
lie tent, and the cactus his feather bed, II
If has the choicest of meat and can cook it b
r. own way. have lived on Graham mu,
re and buffalo meat for a week at a time, AT
ID gained rapidly in flesh, although | ran al
walked many miles every day. The hunt
lie enjoys health, happiness aud fun, especial
IN if it be pleasant weather but, if stor
h comes on, he had better start for shelter
Relative to the use put to the buffa
OF when killed, Mr.. Smith writes 1.-THE
has been a great trade in buffalo beef tn
winter. In most cases only the hind-qua
% tiers are used-not that the rest is not goo
but that the other is best and when thu
ed are so plenty nothing but the best is take
as The hunter is liable to fine ifhe kills and do
is not bring all that is good to eat into markC
ID A local market is generally found at son
house along the main road, where the me
4; is brought to sell. This is sold for one
ne one and fourth cents per pound, and i
I'd tongues for ffteen cents apiece at the hur
!" er's headquarters"