The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-11-18
Moose Hunting In New Brunswick.
Written for the ''rfrrn,l

! During the past summer made another Wis
| il to the head waters Of the st, Francis, The
last day Of the ascent the home camp of the
previous season was reached before noon.
and found in good condition having escaped
the notice Of the river drivers, whose penchart
it is to burn all sportsmen's shanteS they come
across. A new bed of halsam boughs was all
tina, was needed. After dinner we started for
big lagoon, at the head Of the lake, two
miles distant, to look for moose. On reaching
the head We padded a!cng a low, sandy shore
whose bank was SO low as we neared the in
let, that by rising in the canoe or standing on
the shore a view could be had of large por
ton of the lagoon, space Of dead water
mile in extent in either direction, AMI filed
with countless submerged, grassy islands, a
few Of those bordering the main channel bear
ing trees. On the farther shore we saw a
large bull moose quietly feeding. As it was
impossible To shoot him from that distance.
nor any way of approaching nearer without
being seen concluded to try for him in the
evening with my jacklights, the night promis-
ing to be dark, and so favorable We returned
to camp and after an early supper of trout and
veniion returned and entered the lagoon on
the side opposite where We saw the moose.
Our course was screened by trees and bushes
to where we came into the river just above the
main part OF the lagoon. 1t was not yet dark,
so we crossed to the opposite where cool
spring brook emptied and slaked our thirst
and to kill time caught mess of trout to exc
out the fare for breakfast in case got no
moose. After dark we slowly hoated down the
other side of the lagoon. stopping often TO
listen for the blowing of the moose. About 9
o'clock the guide shook the canoe, the signal
agreed upon, and with the jacklight, but with
the slide closed, as moose will not stand the
light as long as wild deer, we moved cautiously
and slowly in the direction of the moose that
we could see feeding in water up to his belly,
and got within fifty or sixty yards of him ere
he saw us. The guide stopped, crouched low
in the stern and motoned for me to fire, at
the same time he trembled and shook till the
canoe rocked like cradle. There was moth
ing to hinder a nearer approach, which was
necessary to get the full benefit of the light,
but TO all my persuasions and threatenings he
paid no heed. | saw the moose was getting
FESTIVE and concluded to take the chance, but
when tnrned on the light and raised my rifle
the guides shaking increased SO that it was
impossible to get an aim. Three times l made
the attempt and failed. At last the moose
made peculiar movement of the head, as they
always do previous to moving off, and in my
desperation l fired. My light shone well on
my front sight, but the moose was seen only
in faint outline; with the shot csme roar of
rage, and the guide sprang up and begged me
for dear life to shoot again as he was charging
upon us. This l could not see where was
sitting as the smoke hung, in the still damp air.
like blanket. But fear hestened the move
ments of the guide, and he shot the canoe out
into deep water and started down stream. but
the moose went forward only few rods when
he fell. We rounded the island and came up
on the opposite side, which bordered the main
channel and had bank some two Or three feet
above the water. We passed to gravelly
shore, opposite, to await events. The moose
arose and fell several times in his efforts to
reach us, the last time he fell he struggled in
vain to rise. and after waiting an hour or more
we left him to find dry place to lie till day
light, for l knew better than to try to reach
him in the dark. We went down to the head
of the lake where there was an old camping
ground of the river drivers. where rolled in
our blankets we slept till half past 3 in the
morning when we routed out, ate our bareback |
and venisou sandwich and returned to the
scene of the night before. The moose had |
got up after we left and got within three feet
of the bank where we found him still breathing
but unconsci Gus of presence. | hadno trou-
BILE in bleeding him, and with a circle of smudge
around lis we proceecad to dress him. He
would have weighed at least eleven hundred
and measured six feet six inches from the tip |
OF his hoof to the top Of his shoulder. On
reaching the settlement Oh my return learned
that my guide, although protesting TO be a
moose hunter, always exhibited extreme terror
in the presence of one. | spent three days
and nights in curing the best parts, it rained
most of the time, but over and around the |
seaifold. whereon the meat rested, was secured
by birch bark, except one side. Pigeon cherry
twigs and foliage was used the best of all
things to impart a sweet favor. | was fortu-
nate to meet with two timber cruisers on their
return from viewing for next winters Opera
tons, who were glad to receive what meat !
had to spare. so that none was wasted. |
On returning to the mouth Of the St. Francis
| distributed most of the meat, but 4 portion,
together with trophies, reached Londonderry
to be discussed and appreciated by dear
friends. q. s.
Camp Caribou, Aroostook !
County, Me-. Oct. IS, 1886.
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