Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-11-20
SAND HILL T
How the Grouse and Antelope r
Killed,
Conductor Copeland in Crookston Journal.

This day opened up beautifully for Il
November day. The only fault we could
find with it was that it was u little too
warm for carrying heavy guns and the
necessary amount of shells for grouse
shooting and those who partook in that
sport found it rather fatiguing tramping
about among the sand hills and brush.
Mr.. Minot and Col. Uline being the only
grouse hunters this day they bagged fifty
nice birds, which was not u bad days
work. I, being particularly DESTROYS of
killing larger game, and hearing marve-
lous stories about the number of geese
on Goose lake, determined to try the
goose business and that failing to take o
drive over the country for antelope.
One of the herdsmen connected with
this ranch brought i'll the report that
there were Il million geese on Goose lake,
located about five miles from camp.
This wonderful story at once thrilled us
with excitement and while We loaded
up our wagon visions of the feathery
squakers danced before our eyes. Al
ready we were KNOCKING them down by
the score and thinking nothing short of
a lumber wagon would do to bring them
back in. Col. Towner renamed at the
ranch. VIM. Pitts and myself were to
be the geese and antelope slayers, but
we we're obliged and pleased to take with
us a nan called Yankee Robinson.
Obliged to take him because Of his
knowledge OF the surrounding country F;
pleased on account Of his renown as q
hunter and trapper. l must say here
that Yankee was born in Ashtabula
county, OHIO, about As years ago. He
has spent nearly all his life on the from
tier and is rather a peculiar character.
Dark complexion, black eyes, and rath-
er deep set, broad shouldered and mus
cular, a bad man to grapple with in an
encounter. His walk is IL loose, swing
ing gait, homely to be sure, but one that
kept a tender foot like me on q half
walk and half run. His speech l cannot
describe. He has IL vocabulary of his
own which is very expressive though
not always grammatical. Well, our
spring wagon was soon loaded, and with
Fritz (the dog), three Winchester rifles,
one Shore and two l0.bore shot guns we
started fos Goose lake. Many Of the
readers of the Journal have hunted
geese and know what making a sneak
means, but for the enlightenment Of
those who have never participated in
such sport, I will tell what We did. We
left our ponies IN an obscure place (for
n goose is always on the alert and will
take to wing at sight of the least suspi-
movement or sound), strapped our
guns to our bodies, got down on our
hands and knees and craWled about a
mile and a half, O OF less, up to the
shore of the lake where we were Ind bv
tall rushes and wild rice. This is max
ing a sneak. would not advise you to
try it witt. the expectation Of getting
any fun out Of it. Your disappointment
might be as great as our own Il There
were only three geese about the lake
and they were without wings and too
tired to do any squaking. Not Il goose
did we see. l think the ranchman was
honest in his estimate, but the day be-
fore, while breaking Il wild pony to ride
he was precipitated head forem, st upon
a boulder, which enlarged and multi
piled his sight and a blackbird looked
like an immense flock Of geese. From
Goose lake we headed southeast toward
Antelope lake. Yankee informed lis
that there were a great many antelope
in that direction. The prairie is quite
roofing here and as the way was fine we
quite enjoyed the drive. rode a little
Indian pony which we took along for
that purpose, carving my rifle IN front
of me across the saddle, while Yankee
and MI. Pitts took the wagon. l think
we travelled some ten or fifteen miles
before seeing game Of any Kind. Just as
we were nearing the top Of a hill off to
the left we saw seven antelope. We had
the advantage Of them by not being seer
ourselves. Here commenced another
sneak game. By keeping behind hills
now in a STOPPING position and ther
crawling upon all fours, we gained
point about 500 yards from Dull prey
This was the nearest point that We coult
reach, as they were feeding in a small
valley. We fixed our sights at 500 yard
and blazed away. Our bullets went
little over. We could easily see wher'
they struck by the dust rising. At thu
first crack of the rifles away vent thu
antelope. l fired five or six shots ate
them and think wounded one, as it cir
cled around several times before start
ing off on a tangent. l never supposed
that anything on feet could run so fast
1 think sixty miles per hour is DRAWN
it mild. We now turned our steps tc
ward the team without that elasticit
which characterized our movement
while the antelope were in sight, weigh
ing ourselves in the balance as hunter
and finding ourselves wanting. Wi'hou
much dis cussion we drew on towar