Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-02-02
HUNTING THE Elk.

Inc bradlOfu Ira, Ol January lZtht
, publishes an interesting article on tn,
days OF Elk hunting, which will bt
read with interest. IL is as follows
at is now many years since that
largest species of the dear family, the
elk. roamed about among tho noun.
tains and wildsOf NJ Kean county. Set
tiers who are familiar with the events
aud traditions Of the Tuna valley us
far back IN the past as a half century
ago, have still some recollection Of the
elk in this section. Within the past
twenty years farmers along the East
and West branches OF the Tuna while
! plowing or grubbing have turned up
the large antlers Of the elk. Like deer,
the elk had paths and runs which they
followed, and which wero well known
to the hunters. The sections of North
western Pennsylvania most celebrated
tor elk were along the Sianemahonlng
and the vicinity of where Ridgway
now stands. 1t was in that neighbor.
hood, while the great forests were yet
in their pristine glory, that the Seneca
and Cornplanter Indians chased the
monster animals and slew them princi-
pally for their hides aud horns. There
was an elk path from near Ridgway
through the Kinsua country, which
emerged in the East branch of the
Tuna valley near Lewis run. 1t then
continued northward TO this city and
up the West branch, 10 the point whore
the Washington street park is located,
where there was an "elk lick" renown-
ed among the Seneca hunters. Many
of the luckless animals have met their
death at that point from the Indians
who concealed themselves and lay in
wait, at certain seasons of the year,
tor the game. Elk were usually about
the size Of horse, aud their antlers
frequently measured six feet from tip
to up. Tho flesh of the animal was
coarse and not very compact. Indians
cared little for the meat, as there was
but very small parts Of the carcass
which they regarded worth preserving. /
The more tender and palatable flesh of
the deer and bear, which was easily |
found, suited the red mans taste much
better The horns OF the elk, however,
were regarded as a desirable trophy
and piece of furniture in the rude
abode of the sons of the forest. a pc.
culiarty Of the elk skin, which was
the leading incentive TO the eager
hunter, was that after being cured il
remained soft and the red brown hair
quite firm. The elk did not possess
the intelligence or feetness OF the deer.
1t was said TO be quite stupid, and al
though moving very rapidly along the
familiar path, when closely pressed did
not attempt, as the deer frequently
does, TO elude its pursuers by suddenly
turning from its course and seeking "
stream TO destroy the trail or the
heavy underbrush for concealment.
The elk's medium of defense was not
its large horns, but forefeet. 1t was
not aggressive, but fought desperately
when cornered Indians usually chased
the animal with dogs, and when ia.
iiguedo or tightly driven, the elk would
station itself upon rock or elevated
point, and keep off the dogs with its
of warfare. ltelevated itself
with wonderful agility, and threw q
lorce intoa blow from its forefeet that
was dangerous to the health and life
OF venturesome dog, In thismanner
the dogs and elk stood, neither yielding
a point to the other, until the hunter
reached the scene, when the elk's lie
was soon cut short. About fifteen
years ago, i'm Jacobs, the old Seneca
bear hunter, struck tho trail OF an elk
along the Sinnemahoning. He called
several other Indians TO his assistance,
and, with dogs, the Senecas followed
The trail for several days and chased
the elk, probably the last OF his race,
through binding snow storm down
INTO the northern section Of Clarion
county. The animal was hungry and
desperate, and when surrounded bv
The dogs fought fiercely Tor hours.
On the arrival of the Indians they at.
tempted TO capture the animal alive,
and passed nearly an entire day in put
Ting varioas tricks and devices into ex.
pcution only to be thwarted. Finally
The elk was shot and carried with
great pride by the Senecas TO the res.
srvation. In Pennsylvania the elk is
. thing of the past, and the animal en-.
.irely extinct"