Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-02-07
Moose Hunting.

There are three modes of hunting the
moose, termed still bunting. fre-huntlng.
and calling. There was another mode
which, am happy to say, legislation has
"a great measure suppressed. | refer 10
the wholesale slaughter OF the unfortunate
animals when the deep-lying SLOWS OF a
prutracted winter had imprisoned them in
their yards, and rendered them only too
easy prey 10 the unprncipled butchers
who slew them for the sake of their skins
To be successful in still-Aunting, or creep
Ing upon the moose. necessitates the aid OF
shllliul Indian guide; very few, if any,
white men ever attain the marvellous pre-
cision with which an Indian. to whom the
painless forest is an open book which he
reads as he runs. will track 10 its death an
animal so exceedingly sensitive 10 the ap-
proach of man. This gift, or instinct,
seems born with the Indian, and is prac-
uced from his early childhood. Ii is not
uncommon to find llItle Indian boys in the
forest several miles from the wiswam
armed with bow and arrows, the latter
having an old knife blade inserted in the
heads. OnAlittle fellow named Socotoma
was u very expert shot, and woe betide
mitchess, the grouse, and matdguis, the
hare. il they happened in the way of little
Socotoma, when he was on the war-path;
aud although he could not thus be killed,
even mOOin, the bear. would be likely to
feel the 'stinging arrow"
The finely nodulatel voice Of the Indian
l. especially adapted 10 Initiate the differ
ent calls and cries OF the denzens of the
forest, and with trumpet of birch bark,
he will initiate to the life. the plaintive
low Of the cow-moose and the responsive
below of the bull Early morning twilight,
or moonlight are all favorable To this man
ner of hunting. The Indian, having se-
lected a favorable position for his purpose,
generally on the margin of lake, heath.
or bog, where he can readily conceal him
self. puts his brchen trumpet to his mouth,
aud gives the CAL of the cow moose, in a
manner so startling and trnthful that only
the educated ear of an Indian could detect
the counterfeit. Ii the call is successful,
presently the responsive bull-moose Is
heard crashing through the forest, utteIing
his blood curding below or roar, and rat
ting his horns against the trees in chal-
lense TO all rivals, rs he comes to the
death which awaits him. Should the imi-
tation be poor, the bull will either not re-
spond at all. or approach in a stealthy
manner and retire on discovery Of the
cheat. Moose-calling is seldom attempted
BY white men, the gift of calling with sue
cess being rare even among the Indians.
Fire-hunting, or hunting by torch-light,
is practced by exhibiting bright light,
formed by burning lunches of birch bark,
in places known to be frequented by moose
The brilliant light seems to fascinate the
animal, and will readily approach within
range of the rife. The torch placed in the
bow Of a canoe is ALSO used as lure on y
lake OF river. but is attended with consid-
erable danger, as q wounded, or enraged
moose, will not unfreQuently upset the
canoe,
The mode of hunting which generally
prevails is that Of still. hunting, or creeping
upon the moose. which is undoubtedly the
most sportman-like way. and affords the
greatest pleasure. Stillhunting can be
practiced in September, and all through
the early winter months. until the snow
becomes 50 deep that IL would be . sin to
mOlest the poor animals.-C. C. Ward
! Scribner for FEB.