Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-09

STOKES OF ADVENTURES N THE HUNIISt
GROUNDS OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Deer hunters of the famous hunting re-
gion of Northern Pennsylvania, report
that there are in the woods this fall an
unusual number Of catamounts, and that
the custom of hanging up deer to a tree
after it Is killed, until It can be taken into
camp. is attended with much risk OF bav-
ing It devored or fed upon by ravenous
but shy animals. The general impression
that the catamount or wild cat is aggres-
sive in its nature, except on small game
on which it preys. is erroneous II Is 30
shy and quick in its movements that one
is rarely seen BY hunters, the exception
being when it may have been freed by
dogs hunting coons or bears. A cao-
mount wounded and brought TO bay. how
ever, is something that all hunters fear.
for then it will fight with herceness
surpassed only by its terocious cousin. the
panther. Many hunter has attacked .
wildcat and given his life as the forfeit
for his rashness. Few dogs care to try
conclusions with q catamounf. and no dog
will enter a second time into a contest
with one Catamounts rarely attack larg-
er wild game than rabbit, but they will
quickly thin out a sheepfold. They have
been known 10 spring upon deer when
pressed by hunger, and it is favorite
mode Of procuring food with them 10 Turk
about hunting and numbering camps and
make off with such game or meat as they
are able to secure during the absence of
the occupants. They also follow in the
trail of hunters, and If a deer is hung up
during the day, they quickly pOunce upon
the carcass, eat what they desire, and bury
the rest tor use at some future time. A
carcass of any kind placed in the woods
will call to the feast every catamount for
miles around. 1t Is owing to this charac-
teristic, and the habit of burying the rem
nants Of their meals that hunters are
able to trap them successfully. the trap
being buried or placed in position near
the carcass. The meeting of two or more
catamounts at the body Of dead animal
is always the signal for frequent and
fierce contests between them during the
meal. While eating they keep up con-
slant sparling and growing, and if one
tears out q morsel which another one
covets, the latter proceeds to secure it If
he can. The cries of two fighting wild
cats are blood-curdling, and may be heard
for miles. Breaking in upon the stiffness
of the midnight in the wilderness, these
sounds are anything but conducive to the
repose OF one who may be within hearing
of them for the first time. The writer had
the pleasure once OF witnessing, from be-
hind y convenient and welcome tree. a
terrible conflict between two enormous
catamounts. They were not 30 feet away
in an open space in the woods. and each
one seemed determined to fight to the
death. They both fought till death inter-
vened, but the Intervention came from
rifle ball. AT an instant when the two an
finals were clinched close together. the
writer fired. The bullet entered the back
of one cats head. crushed through its
brain, and coming out at its nostril buried
itself in the others brain, killing them
both at one shot.
A lumberman named Van Auken, from
the Big Pond neighborhood.h had good rea-
son. few nights ago, to believe that
wildcat cornered up was not pleasant
animal to tackle. For week or two the
cat had been providing around the camp,
finally Van Auken set a trap for it along
Poison Brook where he had placed a large
piece of beef as an attraction for the ami
NAL. The trapper went out to look at his
trap next morning, and it was gone.
Looking around he saw the chain bv
which it had been fastened leading off
toward = hollow log, and looking
further he saw the eyes ii the
catamount glaring at him from out the
hollow like two Goals of fire. Van
Auksn was armed only with his axe. and
counting too much on his valor and not
enough on his discretion, he advanced
toward the tree to ''give the cat clip be-
tween the eyes," as he expressed it. The
catamount anticipated the trappers' s move
ment. and before the 'clip" could be given
it sprang out of its hiding-place straight
for Van Auken. Luckily for him. the
heavy trap hung to one of the animals
hind legs, and thus handicapped. it fell
short in its leap. Van Auken struck at
the catamount, and the axe slipped from
his hands. striking the animal in the side,
and knocking it away the length of the
cham. This added to its fury, and before
Van Auken could regain his axe it return.
ed to the fight. So quick was it. although
hampered by the trap and chain. that il
succeeded in springing upon Van Auken
and fastened his claws into his shoulder
Van Auken ran quickly backward, strik.
ing at the same time powerful blows in the
face with his fists. The animal clung to
nitu until Tue emu OF the cnalu WAS IedcneU
which pulled the catamount loose, but moi
without taking with it large share o.
Van Auken's clothing. Van Auken now
began an onslaught upon the captive an
imal with stones. and finally succeeded in
pelting it into helplessness, when he dis
patched ii with the axe.
Three large catamounts were captured
and killed by three hunters from New
York and their guide over near the heaG
waters of the Little Bushkill last week
The guide. "Rube" Jeffries. had driver
large buck to them on run way, early
in the day. and they had killed 1t. They
hung il up and proceeded with the hunt
No more deer were killed. and the hunter.
went to the spot where they had
hung their buck only to find it gone
There was plenty OF blood and hair scat
tered about on the ground. and looking of
few feet from the tree where the deer
had hung they discovered its antlers pro.
truding from the ground. which was fresh
ly thrown up around them. Carrying
their investigations further they found por.
tons of the venison buried beneath the
dirt. Not being learned in the woodcratl
and habits of the animals. they waited the
coming up OF their guide for an explana-