The Penn's Grove record., 1886-10-02

THE ELK.
Interesting Sketch OF Graceful and
Fast Disappearing Animal.

I have at intervals during the last
ten years had ample opportunity for
studying the American elk, or wariti
deer. l have seen them in great num-
bers in the Rocky Mountains, where, in
1871, l captured one that dressed
weighed 800 pounds, the largest elk of
which l have seen any authentic ac-
count. l selected him from a band of
sixty-three feeding on the mountain
side near Longs Peak. This species Of
the deer family is larger than all others,
excepting the moose, and is taller than
the average horse. His antlers are
solid, very long, and have numerous
prongs. l have stood ON the head of an
elk-after he was shot of course-and
found the tips of the antlers extending
over my head. In color he is a yellow
brown, with white buttocks. His head
is finely formed, and, altogether, this is
a graceful and magnificent beast of the
forest. His track in the snow is about
the size Of a two-year-oh heifer. His
home wa formerly in every part of the
United States, excepting, perhaps, the
Carolinas and Florida. He prefers the
woodlands or the mountains, and only
inhabits the prairie from force OF cir
cumstances. The last elk in Illinois
was seen near the present city of Peoria
about fifty years ago. A band was seen
and n of them shot two years ago
within a few miles Of where l now
write-Linn county, Iowa. They are
at this time quite numerous on the
Yellowstone river, Montana, and in
parts of Washington territory and
Idaho.
The flesh of the elk is fine favored
and differs from all other venison, 1t
is said to be more nutritious than any
other kcown meat. From experience
| know a hungry hunter IS satisfied
with about half the amount which
would be required of bacon or beef.
The bucks are at certain easo vicious
and dangerous. The mother also fights
desperately in defense of her young.
Judge j. y Cation, late of Ottawa, ILL.,,
had, a few years ago, quite a band of
elk in a wood lot inclosed by a high
fence, and posted a placard warning
persons of the danger within. Three
men passing ON foot thought they would
show that they could go through that
lot, and that they were not afraid of
anybody's elk. When about half way
across the Enclosure they were discoy-
cred and attacked, first by the leader,
an old buck, and then by other MEM
bers of the company. A desperate
struggle ensued, the men fighting for
life, and the elk in a perfect rage. The
men were literally stripped of every
shred of clothing by the horns and
sharp hocfs of the Infatuated beasts.
One man, by lodging among the trees,
managed to escape over the fence,
another climbed a tree, and the other
was killed. The man who escaped over
the fence gave the alarm, when a party
of Judge Caton's workmen went into
the lot and fought the elk h~and-to-hand
with pitchforks and axes. The battle
VaS fierce and terrible. AT length the
men, by striking the elk with the pitch
forks behind the fo%reshoulderS, forced
them to give away slowly and sullenly,
when the lifelesS man was carried out.
The fawnS are the cutest and most
deceptive little creatures imaginable.
While very young they are left by the
mother in supposed security hidden
away in the grass and leaves, and it is
astonishing how perfectly they are in
this way concealed. In this condition
the little fellow affects death better than
any other creature l know of except the
opossum. In fact, you would think
him quite dead only he forgets to shut
his eyes. lie lies without a motion,
and if you pick him up he is as limp as
a stocking, the legs and head hang
down without n single muscle being
moved, but the big bright eyes are
sparkling all the time. If you lay him
DOWN, however, and step a few PAGES
away he is up and off like an arrow,
calling at every jump with a desperate
squeal for his mother. 1t is then best
TO have in your hands a trusty rifle OF
be neal q tree.
When hard pressed by a horseman OF
dogs in their native haunts the elk ut
tiers a shrill scream, resembling more
the whistling of a steam thrasher than
anything else. Generally they are easily
frightened in a wild state, and when
one takes alarm he instantly comp' b
nicates it to the others, when tlRy n
dash away on a long trot or rack, car.
rying with exquisite grace their antlers
high in the air.