Clarksville evening chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn) 1886-1890, 1888-11-10
HUNTING IN THs ALPS.


Tho Dangers Of Channels StalkinS-shoot-
ing tho Auerhnln.
In reality Alpine sport is considerably
tanner than the passing tourist usually
supposes. Channels stalking, though the
few who practice it declare it to be the
most exciting of all pastimes, is for the
most part, ut least in Austria, left en-
tireIy to the poachers. The physical ex-
crtion it requires, the dangers il involves
and the rarity, or rather the entire want
of, stanch and wcll trained hounds, ac-
count for this. Both the channels and
the roe are driven, but in a way suited
to the character of the country and Inn
possible on an English estate.
Long before dawn the guests who are
invited to take part in a chamois hunt
assemble at an appointed place. Then
the steep climb into the valley which is
to be the scene Of operations begins.
When tho proper positions are reached,
the head forester assigns to each OF the
guests place near one of the passes the
channels are likely to take. All these
ambushes are hidden from the heights
above by rocks or bushes, and they are
always from three to four hundred, usu-
ally more than, q thousand, feet apart.
When once Il sportsman has been placed
he Is expected to remain where he is as
silently as he can, lie must not leave
his post on any account, as this might
not only disturb the drive. but endanger
his own life. At about the same time
as tho hunting party leave their
rendezvous n party of drivers accom-
panied by dogs start from the other side
of the mountain range. Tho noise they
make friShtens the channels over tie
crest and, if the parties have been rirc-ly
-organized. into the valley, where
warm welcome has been prepared fc:'
thcla. Except in very rare cases, those
who are posted above are expected to let
the herd pass before shooting, in order
not to spoil the sport Of their friends
below. The huntsmen must, OF course,
always be placed so that tho wind blows
toward and not from them. Roe arc for
the most part shot in similar way,
though roc stalking is by no means lin-
usual. t
Auerhahn stalking Is o far moro excir-
ing and pccrliarly Alpine form of sport,
and it is the favo.ito recreation of the
emperor Of .t,!stfa. Il u only in the
mating season., roughly ss'srasing in April
and May, thu il il pcriai;tcd. Tho cock
is generally tic most t:.aid and cautious
of birds; but at this season he becomes q
victim Of passion, and loses hishcad--Gt
least at intervals. At dawn he flies to y
spot which he knows to be frcqucated by
the hens, pcrchcsuponGn exposed bough,
so that all the charms of his plunago
may be SEGA, aad begins his nuptial song.
1t consists of thrcc distinct parts, with q
short pause between each; and, while
piping ii, the cock extends his feathers
and beats upon tho 'bough with his
wings. At such times he seems utterly
unconscious of everything that goes
on around hinl. This il the sportsman's
opportunity; hc has taken his place be-
fore dawn nCOra spot Which he knows to
be frequentcd and concealed himself in
the best cover he can tind. AS soon rs
The bird begins its call. which Is techni-
callr known Gs its balz. he springs for
ward 10 IS me nearer cover in which he
can Ike silently in wait during the first
pause; while the second strain Is In pro-
gress he mast ro;,cl Il point near enough
to- take good aim. An Alpine sportsman
would no more think of shooting On
Aucrhaln in any. other way than an
English squire would thin; Of shooting a
fox. In the greater part Nf the country
the hens are legally protected during the
whole Of the year: they lpyca peculiar
cry. which some fores:crs successfully
ilnitntc for The purpose of luring their
mates. Saturday Review. ,ea@ta