St. Tammany farmer., 1888-03-10
THE AMERICAN MOOSE

Something About the Largest Representa-
tiOn OF tho Deer Family.
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 =
reliable gentleman now living in Hart
ford. Conn. who has for manv seasons
stalkctl this particular game and bagged
quite number Of large specimens.
says that he killed bull moose some
years since in Nova Scotia tina. meas
ured seven feet from the top of the
withers to the sole of the foot. which is
considerably taller than the elk or any
other game animal 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, as well as in
the unpopulatei districts of the Cana
dian provinces and in British Colum-
bia-
An old Chippewa guide. "Pe-to-Wan-
Quad" who had hunted in the vicinity
of Lake Huron ever since his boyhood,
told white traveller some years ago
that during severe winter many years
before, when the snow was very deep
and his famils suffering for want Of
food. he went out alone upon snow
shoes to procure meat, and in = 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 a party
with sleds hauled it all home. and it
sufficed 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
muscular. prehcnsible lip termed ''muf-
fle," which they use in collecting food.
and this appendage, when cooked. is
by hunters as delicious bon
moroccan. The mouth is set well back
from the lower extremity Of the muffle.
thus adapting it to their method of
upon the tender shoots OF
deciduous shrubs and trees, which con-
stitute their staple forage the year
round.
Moose are quite abundant upon the
Yukon river, toward its sources in
Alaska. rs an exploration Of that sec
lion by Whimpon in 1867 shows. Be-
tween latitudes IS and 66 degrees north
and longitude LAG degrees. he says:
This part of the river abounds in
Tho appellation Of ''moose" is prob
ably derived from an aboriginal source.
IS this identical synonym still obtains
among the Chippewas on the northern
borders, whore those animals are most
abundant.
In 18lS moose and elk werc occs
met with in the extensive
lorests of Lake Huron.
Moose have been killed near the
Pacific coast little south OF Behring
Neacs.