Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-12-11
WOLF HUNTING.
Chasing Wolves With Horses and
Hounds in the Northwest.

says:
In fair stand-up fight the average
white, gray or black wolf of these West
ern prairies can down the best dog that
ever drew breath. He knows his own
powers, and will rarely run from sin
gle dog. But the true prairie wolf. or
coyote, is too cowardly to eyer engage
in a face-to-face fight with morgrel
cur even. ana will often whip his tail
between his legs and run yelping from
month-old puppy. The dogs in camp
know these characteristics of the differ
ent species as well as the hunters, ard
In consequence will dash out alone af-
ter coyote, but unless urged on Will
never single modest agcay wolf. When
the dogs are in packs of three or more,
however, all this is changed, and the
wolf declines an interview.
With seven hounds and four hunters
we left camp yesterday morning at
dawn for days run after wolves. They
are more numerous in this region just
now than any other species of game
and although hunting them is not gen.
orally included in a list of Western
sports, it is a highly exciting adjunct
to the pursuit of buffalo deer and bears.
Our route led to the rocky rises at
the base CT the Salmon mountains, be-
tween the headwaters of the Malada
and Macarthur rivers, which is a fam
Gus lurking place for wolves, as the
rocks and underground give them am.
pie shelter, and the proximity TO water
assures them of game when it comes TO
the stream to drink.
We were armed with breech, leaders
charged with buck-shot, and were all
well mounted-I am on my buffalo run
ner purchased in Boise City some time
ago. When an hour out of camp the
baying of the hounds in coppice to the
right of US told that something was
started, and the next minute a lank
gray wolf, with six cubs streaming af-
ter her dashed out into the open ground
and ran past us so close that we might
have killed her with revolver; but
something like pity stayed every mans
hand, and we let her go by US without
a shot. The cubs were evidently four
or FIVE months old. aud kept well up
with the mother, who moved over the
prairie-like a gray streak. When the
dogs finally broke coyer she had disap-
peared around the face of hillock. to
the top of which we spurred our horses
in order to see the remainder of the
chase. In the course of few minutes
it was plain to see the cubs were looS-
ing their wind; one of them falling be-
hind 80 rapidly that he was almost in
the Jaws of the foremost hound. and
the Others while keeping ahead. giving
every evidence of distress. The moth
er wolf was not moving at her best by
any means, and if she would abandon
her cubs to the dogs might easily es-
cape; but instead of dong that she sud-
denly wheeled around. while the cubs
kept on forward, and doubling square
on her tracks closed with the hound
who was in the lead and not more than
ten PAGES from the exhausted young
one. Before the dog could recover from
his surprise she had him by the throat,
her long. white teeth cutting through
skin and muscles. Then closing and
tearing out the wind-pipe, jugular vein
and gullet. 1t was only single bite
but the spread and strength of her jaws,
as we'll as the sharpness Of her .eeth,
made ii fatal. Then she bumped up
her back, and in ten bounds had regain
ed the lost ground, and WAS again IN
full retreat in the centre Of her family.
In the nature of things, however, the
cubs could not stand the killing pace
they fell behind in ones and twos, and
result was a foreg0ne cOnclusion-at
least it was so until tle mOthe ADOPT
ed a new set of tactics. She started off
at right angle with the line pursued by
the cubs, swervlng III her course SO as
to bring herself very nearto the hounds
apparently with the purpose of attract
ing the chase to herself Three of the
dogs accepted the invitation, and pres
emily were out of sight in the rough
country to which she led them, while
the remaining two busted themselves
with the cubs now left to their own de-
vices.
At a rattling pace we set off across
the country in the direction taken by
the old wolf. and PRESENT." from an ele-
Yation discovered the chase not far a.
head. The dogs were rapidly gaming
on their prey. and we spurred on in Or
der to be in at the death Our sport
was not marred by any sentimental
pity for the victim, as the killing of
wolves is utiitarian service, appreci-
ated as we'll by hunters as ranchmen.
They not only kill a1d MAIN enormous
quantities of wild game, but do not
scruple at entering rancherO's barn
yard and carrying away young hogs
sheep, and even young calves. The
Eastern method of getting rid of trOub-
lesome domestic animals is in vogue
here against wild beasts to a great ex-
tent, and thousands of wolves are kill