The Indianapolis journal., 1883-11-03
FIGHT WITH WOUNDED BUCK.
Andrew COUGHS Desperate Struggle with a
Two-Hundred Pound Deer.

TWo-HuDdred Pound Deer,
Monticello Special to New York Tribune.
Old hunters agree in saying that they
would rather meet and battle with any other
wild animal in the woods than a wounded
buck; and Andrew Couch, famous hunter
and guide, of this county, is to-day more
than ever convinced that the old hunters are
right. Sportsrnen OF this place, who have
just returned from a weeks hunt in the
Black Lake region, relate an exciting adven-
ture of the hunt
Couch is one of the most noted hunters
and guides in the county. He was engaged
by the Monticello party to drive" deer for
them. They started two on the first day, but
did not succeed in getting a shot. On the
the second day Couch drove Big Hill for the
hunters. The dogs started a buck in the af-
ternoon and drove it toward Couch. AS it
came over the ridge through the scrub oak,
the guide saw that it was an enormous buck,
and desiring that the visiting sportsmen
should have shot at 1t, he discharged one
barrel of his gun few feet in front of the
deer, with the intention of turning it off in
the direction of the other hunters, who were
Stationed in different "run-ways' on the
ridge.
The deer did not change its course as
Couch supposed it would, but turned and
made directly toward him. He discharged
his remaining barrel at the deer as it came
bounding toward him, and it fell almost in
its tracks. Couch ran to the spot and drew
his knife to cut the deer's throat, supposing
that it was dead. As the hunter was bend
ing over the deer it suddenly sprang to its
feet knocking Couchs knife from his hand,
and attacked him with fury, leaping in the
air, and striking viciously at the hunter
with its sharp hoofs .Couck jumped quickly
aside and escaped the full force of the deadly
stroke of wounded bucks fore-foot One
of the feet, however, struck him on his left
shoulder, spun him round like top and cut
through the sleeve of his heavy hunting-shirt
from shoulder to wrist Couch had his gun
in his hand, but it was empty. Before the
deer could gather itself for another attack,
the hunter dealt it a powerful blow across
the neck with the stock of the gun. The
blow staggered the buck and shivered the
gun to pieces.
Recovering quickly the buck sprang at
Couch again, and planted both fore-feet on
his shoulders, telling him to the ground.
knowledge of the great peril he was in lent
agility to the hunters movements, and be-
fore the buck could deal blow upon his
chest with its hoofs that would have doubt
less been fatal, Couch regained his feet and
instantly closed with the buck, shouting
meanwhile to his companions for help.
Couch believed that the deer had been NOR
tally wounded by the riheball, for the blood
was flowing in a great stream from his
breast and he hoped that if he could him
self hold out long enough and prevent the
dnlIndl iTOn MIN WlCn
its hoofs he would in short time see it sue
cumb. The bucks vitality, however, was
wonderful, and it seemed as strong and fresh
after quarter of an hours wrestling among
the scrub oak as it was at the beginning of
the struggle.
Couch had twice been beneath the deers
fore feet and had received bad cuts and
bruises His clothing was nearly all torn
from him and he was covered with blood
and nearly exhausted He felt that his only
hope was either in the appearance of the
other hunters on the scene or in some de-
csive movement of his own to get the better
OF the deer. He had dropped his gun barrel
when he closed with the deer, but at last in
the course of the struggle, the spot where it
lay was once more reached. By quick
movement he disengaged himself from the
deer, anG sprang for the weapon. He had
scarcel y'secured it and risen to his feet be-
fore the buck was once more upon him.
Couch raised the gun-barrel in the air and
put all his remaining strength in the blow he
dealt the deer.
1t struck the animal back of the antlers
and felled it to the ground. The skull was
crushed, and another blow ended the contest.
Couch then dropped to the ground from
sheer exhaustion,
The other hunters not having heard any
thing from Couch after his two shots, came
upon the scene in about half an hour to see
what the result had been. They found Couch
and the deer lying side by side. The hunter
was not seriously hurt, but was badly cut and
bruised. The deer was the largest that has
been killed in Sullivan county in many years.
1t weighed 210 pounds.