The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-02-09
The AMERICAN MOOSE.
Something About the Largest Representa-
ton of the Deer EamiiY

tfon ot the Deer famliy.
As is well-known, the moose is the
largest species of the entire deer
genus, exceeding in proportions any
other native ruminant quadruped in
America. and when in full growth and
vigor. in the best condition, these
gigantic mammals. it is asserted. have
been known to attain the enormous
weight of two thousand pounds, and a
reliable gentleman now living in Hart
fsrd. Conn, who has for MANY seasons
stalked this particular game and bagged
quite a number Of large specimens,
says that he killed Il ball moose some
years since in Nova Scotia tha. meas
urcd seven feet from the top of the
withers to the soletof the foot, which is
considerably taller than the elk or any
other game aniibal on this continent.
Fifty years ago the range of the moose
had vast geographical amplitude, ex-
tending from the Atlantic to the Pa
cific entirely across the continent. But
the expansion of the western settle
mentS and the proclivities of the hunt
ing population have caused great
diminution in this species Of game and
driven the wary beasts to seek more in
accessible cover IN the remote north.
Yet they are still found in Maine. Min
ncsota, Idaho, Montana, rs well rs in
the unpopulated districts of the Cana
dian provinces and in British Column
bia
An old Chippewa guide, "Pe-to-Wan-
Quad" who had hunted in the vicinity
of Lake Huron ever since his boyh0od,
told white traveller some years a%o
that during Il severe winter many years
before, when the snow was very deep
and his family suffering for want Of
food, he went out alone upon snow
shoes to procure meat. and i'll a short
time came upon the fresh tracks OF
seven moose, which he followed for
three successive days, during which he
killed every one of them, besides two
black bears that attempted to join him
in the chase toward the last Of il.
After his signal achievement in securing
this large supply OF meat he returned
to his people. and taking out party
with sleds hauled it all home, and ii
sufiiced for their subsistence during the
remainder OF the winter.
The moose is an awkward. clumsy
looking animal. with an uncOmmonly
peculiar head and nose. ending in Il
muscular, prehensible lip termed "muf-
fln," which they use in collecting food,
and this appcndage, when cooked, is
regarded by hunters as delicious bon
morceau. The mouth is set well back
from the lower extremity Of the muflie,
thus adapting it to their method OF
browsing upon the tender shoots OF
deciduous shrubs ana trees. which con-
s:itute their staple forage the year
round.
Moose are quite abundant upon the
Yukon river, toward its sources in
Alaska, aS an exploration of that Sec
ton by Nhimpon in 1867 shows. Be-
tween latitudes So and IS degrees north
and longitude 146 degrees. he says:
This part of the river abounds in
moose"
The appeIlation of "moose" is prob
ably derived from IN aboriginal source,
as this identical synonym still obtains
among the Chippewas on the northern
borders. where those animals are most
abundant.
In 1913 moose and elk were coca
sionally met with in the extensive
forests Of Lake Huron.
Moose have been killed near the
Pacific coast little south of Behring
strait Chicago NeUS.