The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-04-17
A HUNrSM Ans LIE.
One OF the Toughest spsrtsman's Yarns OF
ReCNrh

James Pine, e veteran fox hunter SO years
old, residing in Marbetown, has killed this
winter II red foxes, one cross-bar and one
gray fox. He is probably the best fox hunter
in the country. He has two dogs, and hunts
over long stretches Ofcountry, ranging all over
the hills of Marbletown across thc country to
High Falls, and up Swhangunk mountain as
far rs Lake Minnewaski--in fact, he shot the
cross-bar fox near Palz Point on that noun.
tain. Mr.. Pine has hunted for 40 years, a por
ton of the time IN Greene county, and for %
seasons he has hunted in this county. The
first year he came to Ulster county he killed
43 foxes, though az that time, of course, this
kind of animal was more numerous than al
present Last New Years day he killed
three foxes, Mr. Pine hunts for pleasure and
recreation, AS he owns nice little farm nj
Marbletown, but he sells his fox skins, and in
that way pays for his powder and shot.
Apropos to fox hunting there is Il fox hun
ter in this county who tells a good story in
regard to the tenaciiy with which foxes will
cling to their lives, they IN fact having more
lives than cat. This gentleman says, and he
atlrms with both hands that 1t is true, tina,
one day while he was out hunting he shot u
fine fox, and as he supposed, the animal
dropped dead. He went to him, and taking
out his jack knife commenced to take Oft the
pelt, so he wouldn't have to carry the carcass
home with him. He skinned il down and
then pulled it over and gave 1t yank in order
to free it from the body when the skin came
off, and, to the great and nexpressble aston
ishmcnt ofthe hunter the fox jumped up and
ran off at full speed, the hunter b. ing unable
III his surprise to raise his gun in time to
Shoot HIM. The dogs, however, were after
him in jitfy, and the remarkable sight of a
fox without its pelt scooting along over the
crust with three hounds yclping on his track,
was then seen. The fox being ID light march
ing order soon dlstanced the dogs, and IN 10
minutes was out Of sight. A few days after
the man was cut hunting again for foxes The
hounds run one pretty sharply and he passed
through ravine, and it being Il popularity
of the fox that when he goes through ravinc
he will come back to 1t again, no matter how
wide the circuit may be, the hunter posted
himself at this place and waited until he heard
the bay Of the hounds following the track up
to near where. he stood. He was on the qul
vive, and got glimpse Of an animal running
with great speed that had all the resemblance
to fox only his coat seemed glossy white
The hunter never thought of the skinned fox
that ran away the day before, but supposed
the white fur would be great rarity in the
market 50 fired, killing the animal, and with
expect, ti0ns buried M 70 where he lay, and
there. Ia, and behold. found instead of IA white
flrrei fox the one that he had skinned the
dap before, the white flesh looking like white
fur in the sunlight Seemingly the fox had
not minded the lack of his skin very much.
and the flesh had become by exposure IN the
air almost ofthe consistency of leather.-Ring-
stoa ~. ~ Freeman.