Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-30
HOW TO HUNT DEER.
sgNAroR KeNNA, OF WEST VIRGINIA.
TELLS ALL AeouTlT.
Fine Sport In tho Aiieehsnies-rhe N"e'"
Game stiii wsndcrs from Hampshire
County 20 Cumberland Gap,

tains OF my State at this season al along
the Allegheny range from Hampshire
county to Cumberland Gap" said
United States Senator John T. Kenna,
OF West Virginia, at his handsome homo
In Washington TO reporter OF the Sun.
Az the Senator spoke his eyes wandered
10 a large painting OF two fine dogs
hanging upon the parlor wall opposite
10 the easy chair in which he settled
himself for a talk. He is one OF the
most ardent and experienced hunters IN
West virginia Every year be leaves
the haunts OF politics ana public life Tor
. time and .raverses the rugged country
where deer and other game worthy 10
be targets for true sportsmans nile
are found in greatest number. He IS one
OF the authorities upon hunting IN Wash
fngton, and has on hand a stock OF sto-
ries OF the chase which never seem to
fail.
A GOOD TIME FOR DEER.
"Still considerable time is left" con-
Hnued the senatorial sportsman, "ior
those who want TO hunt deer IN our
State. The season lasts from Septem'
Der 18th 10 December 18th, and by law
hog-hunting is entirely prohibited. Inc
only way permissible 20 follow the game
Is by what is known as stili-hunting OF
pursuing it without the AID Oh dogs,
In my opinion there is more sport
hunting deer in that way, anyhow.
When dogs are used to scent ior
them the gunner has to SIT all day
on a stand which they are likely to pass.
He mustn't make o noise for fear the
deer NAV hear him and be turned away
Half the time he doesn't know whether
the dogs have trail or not and so he
has cherries time of it waiting to get
n shot. In still-hunting, now, the gun
ner is on the move. He searches Tor the
deer as best he can, and tries to get
within range for shot as soon as he de-
tects one. At this time the does ana
fawns are usually found hiding IN hats
and brushes along the Alleghanies and
their foothills, while the bucks are high
or up in more exposed places.
SKILL AND EXPERIENCE NEEDED.
ali an inexperienced hunter wants TO
start ont after deer il will not be worth
while for him TO go at all if he intends
TO rely upon his own skill and know
ledge. He wouldn't kill one deer IN
five wears alone. No matter If he Is
GOOD shot and has had experience in
searching for other game, he ought 10y
all means to take some one along with
him who is skilled in hunting deer. In
a,,ah hH
found, and with their assistance green
hand can manage to have some sport.
The hunter will need good rifle to begin
with. As to his general outfit beyond
that l become more thoroughly CON
WINGED the longer | hunt deer that 1t
ought to be as light and simple as pos
able. Expensive equipment IN great
variety can be had, but the best garb L
know OF is a thick, comfortable old suit
of clothes. lay aside an old suit every
year especially TO use IN hunting. III is
better to have two suits in case 1t should
be necessary 10 change IN bad weather
An old, heavy pair OF shoes Is needed
also. A pocket knife is the best kind to
carry for hunting, because 1t answers all
purposes.
A MODEL HUNTISG-KNIFE.
The Senator reached into his trousers |
pocket and pulled out heavy knife with
a 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 III appear
ance. That's the kind Of knife use,
becontinued. H'ye had this one out only
three times, but / always carry some
such instrument. The large blade Is
frst-rate for dressing and fixing
ND a deer, while the smaller ones
can be used for ordinary pur-
poses. Accommodations for hunters
can generally be had in houses con-
yenient to the grounds, In order to
provide for anything which may turn
up, however, ii is better 10 take along
two good blankets, or better still,
heavy comfort Enough hight oil-cloth
for use when 1t becomes necessary to
sleep on the ground is also IA good thing.
Where hunters 60 into a regular camp
It is usual to carry hay for bed on the
earth in order to keep out the damp
less.
ABED ON THE GROUND.
"To make bed the hay can be stir
red up, dried before a fire, and spread
out, with the oil-cloth stretched over it
and the blankets next. The hunter can
then lie down and sleep as comfortably
as in his own home. 1t is usual to take
horses on trip and they can carry q
large quantity OF hay packed into small
space. The glamour and false ideas
about hunting which get into the heads
Of some people are upset by experience.
The notion that to have rough time is
to have good one may be well enough
for some things, but il man Is hungry
be wants the best he can get to eat, and
he likes to sleep on an easy couch no
matter how tired he may be.
HARD TO FIND THE DEER.
"The manner OF finding deer is the
hard PAL. Of hunting. 1t depends en-
tirely upon the locality, and the first
thing is TO know the haunts OF the game.
The only certain means is 10y tracking
when the snow is on the ground. The
deer Is harder to approach than the fox.
I've hunted both and regard that state
ment as proved. The deer's sense of
smell is refined and his hear
ing intensely acute. If the wind is
blowing from the hunter toward him
he is sure to find the pursuer out. He
Is locking for the man as much as the
man is looking for him. A great point
IN still-bunnng Is to see all ahead OF you
and make SURF that nothing ahead sees
you. The hunter must DO the moving
object The deer usually resorts to wild
and inaccessible places, and in such To-
calities a hunter VIII have the best luck.
Where there are rough crags and pro-
jections there is good chance to hide
and creep up on tho game. ......
WATCHING AT sALT-LIcKs.
"One way TO get shot at deer is "a
watch near salt-lick. The best time
for hunting by that means is In hot and
dry weather. Tor then the deer seem tc
need salt more than under any othe,
conditions kiobf A tlo baet t,,oo q