Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-11-29
HOW TO HUNT DEER.
Senator kenna, OF West Virginia. Tells
All About 1t.

Deer can be hunted in the mountains
Of my State at this season all along the
Allegheny range from Hampshire coun
ty to Cumberland Gap" said United
States Senator John +. kenna, of West
Virginia, at his handsome home in
Washington, yesterday, to reporter
Of the sun. As the Senator spoke his
eyes wandered to large painting of two
fine dogs hanging upon the parlor
wall opposite to the easy chair in which
he settled himself for talk. He is one
or the most ardent ana experienced
hunters in West Virginia. Every year
he leaves the haunts of politics and
public life for a time and traverSeS the
rugged country where deer and other
game worthy TO be targets for true
Sportsman's rifle are found in greatest
number. lie is one of the authorities
upon hunting in Washington, and has
on hand stock OF stories of the chase
which never seems to fail.
"Still considerable time is left, con-
tinued the Senatorial sportsman, "for
those who want TO hunt deer in our
State. The season lasts from Septem-
Der II to December -, and by law dog
hunting is entirely prohibited. The
only way permissible to follow the game
is by what is known as Still-hunting, or
pursuing it without the aid of dogs. In
my opinion there is more sport in hunt
ing deer in that way, anyhow. When
dogs are used TO scent for them the gun
ner has TO sit all day on a stand
which they are likely TO pass.
IL. =. 10 fAr ba
deer may hear him and be turned away.
Half the time he doesn't know whether
the dogs have a trail or not, and so he
has a cherries time of it waiting to get
a shot. In still-hunting, now, the gun
ner is on the move. He searches for the
deer as best he can, and tries te get
within range for a shot as soon as he
detects one. At this time the does and
fawns are usually found hiding in flats
and brushes along the Alleghenies and
their foothills, while the bucks are
higher up in more exposed places.
"If an inexperienced hunter wants to
start out after a deer it will not be
worth while for him to 60 at all If he
intends to reply upon his own skill and
knowledge. He wouldn't kill one deer
in five years alone. No matter il he is
a good shot and has had experience in
searching for other game, he ought by
all means to take some one along with
him who is skilled in hunting deer. In
our country such men can be found,
and with their assistance a green hand
can manage to have some sport.
The hunter will need good rifle to begin
with. As to his general outfit beyond
that become more thoroughly con-
WINGED the longer | hunt deer that 1t
ought to be as light and simple as pos
sible. Expensive equipment in great
variety can be had, but the best garb l
know of is Il thick, comfortable old SUIT
of clothes. | lay aside an old suit every
year especially to use in hunting. IL is
better TO have two suits in case it should
be necessary to change in bad weather.
An old, heavy pair of shoes is needed
also. A pocketknife is the best Kind
to carry for hunting, because it an
swerS all purposes
The Senator reached into his trousers
pocket and pulled out heavy knife
with stout horn handle. One OF It's
blades was three inches long, broad,
keen and of the finest metal. The other
two were smaller and less formidable in
appearance That's the kind of knife
| use" he continued. 1--WE had this
one out only three times, but always
carry some such instrument. The
large blade is first rate for dressing
and fixing up deer, while the
smaller ones can be used for ordinary
purposes. Accommodation for hunters
can generally be had in houses conven-
lent to the grounds. In order to pro-
vide for anything which may turn up.