The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-14
Mnnsr-llIInilng.

There are threc modes Of hunting the
moose, termed still.huntiDg, hre-buni.
ing and calling, writes g. q, Wmd in
Scri6lur's naga;inc. There wis an
other moda, which. ! ann happy 10 Hay,
Legislation has IN great measure rul'-
pressed refer to the Wholesale slaugh-
ter uf the unfortunate animals when the
decp-lying SHOWS Of protracted winter
had imprisoned them in their yards, and
rendered them only u too easy prey to
the unpriucipled butchers who slew them
for the sake Of their skins.
To hc succcssiul in still hunting, or
creeping upon the moose, uocessitatcs
the aii II "a skillml Indian guide, very
few, II any, white men ever attain the
marvellous precision with which al In.
dian. 20 whom the pathlesS forest 10 an
open book which lac rca,lH RH he runs,
will track to it's death Nh animal 80 e1-
coodingly sensitive 30 the approach Of
man. This gift, or instinct SCENE born
with the Indian, AMI Is pmcticed from
his early childhood. IL lsnot uncommon
10 find little Indian boys IN the forest
several miles from the Wigwaul. armed
with u bow aud arrows, the latter having
an old knife blale inserted IN the her'ts.
One little fellow named Socotoma was "A
very expert shot, and woe hetite utftchf-
sSs' the grouse, and u.atagtais, the hare,
il they happened in ytlp wsy Of little
Sneotoma when he Was % the war-path; ;
ana although he could not thus bo kill
el, even pioOin, the bear, would be like
ly 10 feel the "stlnglug arrow. -g- A
The finely modalAted voice of tlae
Indian is especially adapted 10 initiate
the different calls and cries of the deni-
zeps OF the forest, and with a trumpet of
blrch bark, lao will initiate ~, the life,
the plainuVe low Of the gov moose, and
the responsive below Of the bull. Early
morning, twilight, or moonlight are all
favorable 10 this manner of hunting.
The Indian, having sslecbet favnrAlle
position for his purppse. geliendly On
the margin of Il lake, heath or bog,
where he can readily conceal himself,
pats his birchen trumpet 10 Ibis mouh,
and gives the call OF the cow-moose, In a
manner. 50 startling aud truthful thst
only the sdReatesi ear Of an Indian cOph
detect the counterfeit IL the call IS
successful, presently the responsive
bull moose Is heand crashing through
the forest, uttering his blood-curdling
below or roar, ami rafting his horns
against the trees in challenge 10 all
rivals as he comes tn the death which
awaits him. Should the imitation be
poor, the bull WiA either not respond at
all, or approach IN stealthy manner
ami retire On discovery Of the cheat
aiooSe-calling is seldom attempted by
white men, the gift Of calling with sue
cess being rare even among the Indians
Fire-huntlng, or hunting 10y torch
light, is practieed bv exhibiting q bright
light, formed by burning punches Of
birch Jaclk, M places known 30 bu ire
luented by moose. The brilliant light
seems % fascinate the animal, and he
will approach within range OF the rihc
The torch placed in the bow of canoe
is also used as "a lnre On lake or river,
but is attended with considerable danger,
AS wounded, or enragcd moose, will not
unfrel upset the canoe.
The mode Of hunting which generally
prevails is that OF still-hunting, or creep
ing upon the moose, which ~ uudonbt-
eily the most spOrtsnan-like way, and
affords the greatest pleasure. Still
hunting can be practiced IN September,
and all through the early winter months.
until the SNOW becomes 80 deep that Il
wunld he q sin 10 molest the poor ami
mails