The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-11-25
A DEER-BUNT IN ALASKA.
Trouble with 0uarrelsome Dogs-Queer
Custom of the Natives.

Trouble with Ouarrelsome Dogs-Queer
Custom of the Natives.
The ice being in good condition, with
dogs and sleds laden with cooking pots
and a few provisions, tent and deer
skin bedding, a start was made early IN
the morning. The thermometer mark
ed Is degrees below zero and there was
an icy blast from the north, SO that it
may be imagined that the weather was
somewhat cold. Smooth shore ice was
found over which our sleds went rapid
ly. and at dusk 6 P. MI the dogs
smelt the deer and tore frantically in
their harness to get at them.
And here en- paSSant may be permit
ted to dwell upon the annoyances and
vexations that an Arctic traveller has to
undergo when using these dogs for sled
work. The most docilc and mild-lOok-
ing animal is probably tine worst of the
team, quarrelsome, snarling, and fight
ing whenever a chance presents itself,
For an hour or so the dogs will lie
quietly, seemingly at peace with one an
other; then, as if by some sudden IN
spiration. one springs upon the other,
biting and tearing the legs, ears, and
those portions of the body unprotected
by hair, and a general melee ensues,
only ceasing when heavy blows from
pieces of wood or tent-poles strike some
tender part. Then, too, at night, the
bowling in chorus-not a genuine howl,
but species of sharp, drawn-Out walls
breaks upon the ear. to the Imagina-
ton seeming like the wailing of a horde
of lost spirits lamenting their bitter lot
Still travel would be impossible during
the winter were it not for these dogs.
So far as exhibiting attachment or re-
tanning any especial liking for an in
dividual, these animals can not be said
to show the slightest trace. They simply
come to anyone who feeds them, acting
perfectly indiscriminately.
1t was too late to start out hunting up
on our arrival, SO after pitching the
tent, making Il fire from driftwOOd to
boil our tea over-a process heightened
by ice having to be melted to obtain
water,-enjoying smoke, and feeding
tile dogs with whale meat, we turned in
to sleep. We were all up bright and
early at 10 Il. m. After a breakfast of
tea and crackers, with the addition of
boiled beans heated in frying-pan
with snow, a start for the deer was ef-
fectcd. The dogs were left in camp. the
most unruly being tied to heavy logs. I
may here mention for the benefit of
future Arctic travellers that one of the
best kinds of food to take upon sled
journey is bag of boiled beans. OF
course they become frozen solid, but
when chopped off, heated with snow or
ice in a frying-pan, they furnish meal
which for staying qualities do not
think can be eXcelled. Either oil or
lard, not too salt, can be added to the
beans when they are boiled, increasing
thereby their quality as heat-giving food.
After an hours walking we came to
fresh deer tracks. Arriving at the top
of a small Cminence we saw the herd
feeding. digging with their forefeet
through the snow in order to reach the
covered moss and lichens. There must
have been ut least two hundred deer in
the herd. big bucks with widespread
ing antlers, females and males of ali
sizes, and here and there a vearling
fawn. Crawling over the snow, creep
ing along inch by inch until within
range, is the only manner to get a shot
ut the animals. The country affords no
cover. and the slightest object bearing
the scmblance of anything strange
seems to attract the attention of the
deer in moment In order TO guard
somewhat against this matter white
drilling overshirts are worn when out
hunting.
At n range of over two hundred yards
one of the natives fired. his bullet from
a Hotchkiss rifle striking the deer, Il big
buck, over the forequarter, causing him
to rear and jump into the air with n
bound and then fall dead. The rest of
the herd, seeing one of their number
fall, scattered in a wide circle, shifting
the air and pccring around for the cause
of its sudden ACKNOWLEDGMENT. They,
however, resumed feeding in short
time. until three shots. fired simultan-
eouslv, laid two more of their number
low, while fourth broke the leg of
young fawn, who hobblcd along after
its mother for some dist ance, until
final shot put an end to its troubles.
Four deer had fallen before our guns,
and the natives proceeded to remove
the skins from The head and feet, piling
snow over the carcaSses to hide them
from the other deer, which otherwise
they think, would be scared away from
the country. 1t is the belief among
these natives that Il deer shot one day
must not be brought into camp until the
following morning. Our submission to
this custom cost us the carcass of one
animal, which was eaten by foxes dur
ing the night.
Next morning heavy snow-mist to
landward prevented our going deer
hunting. To seaward tie sky was clear.
so that rather than stay in camp all day
some of us went seal-hunting, the one
woman of our party, with her husband,
taking the sled and dogs to bring in the
deer shot on the previous day.-SGn
Francisco Chronicle.