The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1878-01-30
MOOse.l Hunting.

There are three modes of hunting the
moose, termed still-huuting, fre-hunt-
ing and calling, writes @. @. Ward in
Scribner's Magazine. There was an
other mode, which, 1 am happy to say,
Legislation has in a great measure sup
pressed. Irefer TO the wholesale slaugh-
ter OF the unfortunate animals when the
deep-lying SHOWS of protracted winter
had imprisoned them in their yards, and
rendered them only a too easy prey to
the unprincipled butchers who slew them
for the sake of their skins.
To be successful in still-hunting, or
creeping upon the moose, necessitates
the aid of skillful Indian guide; very
few, if any, white men ever attain the
marvellous precision with which an In
dian, to whom the pathless forest is an
open book which he reads as ne runs,
will track to its death an animal so ex-
ceedingly sensitive to the approach of
man. This gift, or instinct, seems born
with the Indian, and is practiced from
his early childhood. 1t is not uncommon
to find little Indian boys in the forest
several miles from the wigwam, armed
with bow and arrows, the latter having
an old knife-blade inserted in the heads.
One little fellow named Socotoma was q
very expert shot, and woe betide nlitchi-
esS, the grouse, and mdtag,tiS, the hare,
if they happened in the way of little
Socotoma when he was on the war-path;
and although he could not thus be kill
ed, even mooia, the bear, would be like
ly to feel the " "stinging arrow"
rl9 finely modulated voice of the
Indian is especially adapted to initiate
the different calls and cries of the deni.
zens 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 manner of hunting.
The Indian, having selected favorable
position for his purpose, generally OF
the margin of lake, heath or bog
where he can readily conceal himself
puts his birchen trumpet to his mouth
and gives the call of the cow-moose, in {
manner SO startling and truthful tina
only the educated ear of an Indian coult
detect the counterfeit. If the call il
successful, presently the responsive
bull-moose is heard crashing through
the forest, uttering his blood-curdlint
below or roar, and rattling his horn
against the trees in challenge to al
rivals, as he comes to the death whicl
awaits him. Should the imitation b
poor, the bull will either not respond q
all, or approach in stealthy manne
and retire on discovery of the cheat
Moose-calling is seldom attempted b.
white men, the gift of calling With sue
cess being rare even among the Indians
Fire-hunting, or hunting by torch
light, is practiced by exhibiting brigh
light, formed by burning punches G
birch bark, in places known to be FIRE
quented by moose. The brilliant ligh
seems to fascinate the animal, and h
will approach within range of the rife
The torch placed iu the bow of cano
is also used as lure on lake or river
but is attended with considerable danger
as wounded, OF enraged moose, will ut
unfrequently upset the canoe.
The mode of hunting which general
prevails is that of still hunting, OF CREEP
ing upon the moose, which is undoub
edly the most sportsman-like way, an
| affords the greatest pleasure. Still
hunting can be practiced in Septembe1
and all through the early winter month";
until the snow becomes SO deep that
; would be o sin to molest the poor an
+ mails.