Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-11-13
HUNTING WILDCATS.
Thrilling Sport with Which Floridiani
Amuse Themselves.

Thrilling sport with which FloridIans
Amuse Themselves.
Chatting over their cigars, a few
gentlemen passed a pleasant hour OK
changing personal experiences OF the
chase. Mr.. M. NJ Bryan. OF Madison
County. Fla, told. with much interest
TO his listeners, stories OF the hunting
OF the wildcat. He said;
1.-THE Florida wildcat. when fully
grown, weighs about fifty pounds, Is
ss large as good-sized fox-hound,
and when in full chase of pack OF
hounds Is an object to startle and be-
wilder Northern hunter. With fur
thrown back, claws extended, leaping
with great springs through forest or
swamps, the ordinary sportsman. at
the first sight OF the animal. turns pale
and wants to leave instanter- Tho cat
will attack sheep, lambs. young hogs
and poultry, but the human family,
except young and unprotected chill
dren. need have no fear OF him. |
know Of no sport 20 exciting and de-
manding effort so hard and long
continued as "a cat drive The hunt
ing party having been agreed upon,
they meet an hour and half before
daylight. mounted on their best horses
and attended by hounds, often to tho
number OF forty. The wild eat Il gen.
orally found foraging at thus hour and,
being surprised. runs quickly TO the
cover OF the nearest swamp, or climbs
n ffsa. hss IL ar
shot, but the tree is cut down or no Is
otherwise dislodged. Tho hounds ara
held Ia leash until he gets a good
start. when the lender blows his horn
and the pursuit is resumed, II the cat
enters swamp, the hounds follow
him there and ultimately drive him
out and the bunting party. guided by
the noise OF the dogs, Is roady to take
up tho chase near the point where tho
game energies. And so We gol Over
tho hills. through tho farms, jumping
fanees. leaplng ditchesl No English
fox hunt can compare with the Florida
.ent drive and few are the farmers
who can resist leaving team a-feld and
running 10 the house for saddle
when the baying OF hounds and tho
blowing OF horns toll that a eat
drive is on. The hounds OF every
farmer hearing the din loave their
Kennels, and are found loudest-
mouthed In tho pursuing pack. At
last comes the end. rs all sports must
end.
After an all days chase tho wild
cat at four o'clock IN tho afternoon, or
Mt FIVE o'clock at tho latest can go
little further, The swapping jaws OF
tho hounds come closer aud closer.
He turns his giaring eyes moment
behind him and staggers on. Tho
pack OF dogs that had boon In full cry
In tho morning IL now broken. Only
long chase. Horses and riders are
worn and jadcd. Tho cat can run nc
moro He prepares to battle for his
life. lie turns on his back, raises his
feet and strikes hia long claws vicious
~ at any hound that dare attack him
The battle Ia long and bloody, and bo
fore IL ends hounds are frigl sfully
Scared and often lose nn eyo. Many
time after cat chase have sewet
up tho ears OF my dogs The cat driv,
Il tho Florida mans favorlte sport
Il not PuFaued with the purpose Of ex
terminating tho animals Indeed, b,
State law, hunter. who will shoe
n cat In front OF his dogs, Is fined s25
and, by rulo OF tho Hunters' Asso
citation. he Is fined again for the same
oifense. You SEQ II tho cat IL kllle,
by bullet tho hounds that have FOL
lowed 1t are forever spoiled for tn,
chase. Their proper discipline an'
future usefulness require that tho,
should kin tho cat. On this accoun
shotguns and rifles are usually left DO
hind. "-~St. Louis Globe Democrat,