The Osceola times., 1877-03-31
BEAyE"-HUNTING.
ay'. sport In t.ic swnmps OF Louis

~ Or sH' - .S~"---
AMI.
There isa mystery attending the move
ments of the beaver which invests il with
peculiar interest. The indomitable in
dustry, ingenuity and silence In con-
structing its habitation and dams render
this animal an object of much interest to
the hunter.
Twenty-Five years ago 1t was quite
rare in Louisiana now hundredsof acres
of woodland are destroyed, and drainage
is seriously affected by beaver dams.
The highlands of east Baton Rouge
commence at the Mississippi at Baton
Rouge, run in diagonal direction from
the river, and are lost in the fats border
ing on lake Maurepas.
A short distance below the town the
highland is intersected by low place
called "bottom," which debouches
into swamp, varying in width, and of
considerable length. Many small
branches empty into it, and it is dull,
sluggish stream-a home for alligators,
loggerheads, turtles, beavers, otters,
mink, etc. This swamp has never been
dry within the memory OF the Oldest in
habitant until the past summer and fall.
In every hollow log there was either an
animal ora reptile, the growth of a
swampkince,the Mississippi found chan
mel elsewhere.
The news of this field of "varmints"
soon attracted the attention Of sportsmen,
and like Sir Samuel Baker at the atbara,
they prepared to reap full harvest.
They soon began a slaughter,
and beavers, otters and mink
enough 10 stock the market and make
hats for generation were bagged. The
methods resorted ts for killing beavers
were very simple. They had made their
lodges on the margin of the swamp. The
hunter would dig with spade over the
channel leading TO the cell or lodge, and
drop a rope with moose into the hole
thus made, thensending in don to start
the game, he would moose it rs it became
entangled in the rope. Many were
caught in traps.
Several sportsmen, armed with guns
and lances, and having good pack Of
hounds started for days hunt. "Pll
tell the tale AZ it was told to me-" Soon
the busy pack are on a beaver trail. the
dams having previously been cut, the
water had left all the dens high and dry,
and an occasional alligator hole deep dug
into the basin of the m0rass, was the
only refuge for this Subtle pillage."
The huntsmen urge on the already too
eager pack. They overrun the trail, and
scattering far and wide in wild confus-
ion, the young hounds bounce ''cotton
tail" and in full cry call off the young
and inexperienced hunters; but the old
sportsmen stand and listen for the voice
Of some reliable veterans gone to test the
veracity of the babbling stragglers.
1t is not long ere they return to the
spot where the trail had been lost, and
the tenacious old hounds hang on the
'spoor," following its intricate winding
across dry plastered fiat into some dry
grass, and begin to gibe tongue 50 freely
that they are soon followed by their
more reckless companions. Now
several wild hogs start out of a thickct,
and draw off the young hunters and
dogs as before.
Away all 60 through brier and brake,
and now the beaver is up, making his
way toa,deep alligator,hole, he plunges in
and is followed by the dogs One bolder
than the rest seizes hold of the beaver
and down they both 60 to the bettom.
But this pool has an owner. With a
tremendous snort huge alligator rises
to the top of the water MS II to inquire
who had dared to intrude into his
domain.
This frightens beaver and dogs, and
they all beat hasty retreat out on dry
land, but not far can the beaver go, for,
wounded and tried, it drags into some
marsh grass and is soon surrounded by
men and dogs. 1t is large enc and
weighs ninety-six pounds.
A telling shot in the eye turns the al
ligator on his back. The dog is also
badly wounded in the fight with the
beaver.
The wandering stragglers who had
been allured by the wild hogs and cot
tontsils now return, each bringing some
trophy of his chase.
Eight beavers, eight otters, six wild
hogs, four rabbits and one alligator ten
feet long are the result OF the days hunt.
Turf Field and Farm.