The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-01-09
HOW TO HUNT DEER.
SENATOR KENNI, or WEST VIR-
GINA, TELLS An 1BOUT m.

"Deer can be hunted in the mountains
Of my State all along the Allegheny
range from Hampshire county to Cum
berInnd Gap. said United States Sena.
tor John Il. Kenna, of West Virginia,
Mt his handsome home in Washington,
TO n reporter. 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 a talk. lie is one
of the most ardent and experienced
hunters in West Virginia Every year
he leaves the haunts of politics and pub
lie for q time and traverses the rugged
country where deer and other game
worthy of n true sportsman's rifle are
found in greatest number He is one of
the authorities upon hunting in Wash.
ington, and has on hand stock of stor-
les of the chase which never seems to
fail.
"The season lasts from September 10
to December 10, and by law dog hunting
is entirely prohibited. The only way
permissible to follow the game is by
what is known rs still hunting. or pur-
suing it without tho aid of dogs. In
my opinion there is more sport hunting
deer in that way anyhow. When dogs
are used to scent for them the gunner
has to sit all day on stand which they
are likely to pass. He mustn't make
noise for fear the 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 cheerless
time of it waiting to get shot In still
hunting now, the gunner is on the move.
He searches for the deer as best he can,
and tries to get within range for shot
as soon as he detects one. At this time
the does and fawns are usually found
hiding in flats and brushes along the
Alleghanies and their foothills, while
the bucks are higher up in more exposed
places
"lf an inexperienced hunter wants to
start out after deer it will not be worth
while for him to go at all if he intends
to rely upon his own skill and knowl-
edge. He Wouldn't kill one deer in five
years alone. No matter if he is a good
shot and has had experience in search.
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-
vinced the longer l hunt deer that it
ought to be as light and simple as posi-
bic. Expensive equipment in great
variety can be had, but the best garb
know of is a thick comfortable old suit
of clothes. l lay aside an old suit every
year especially to use in hunting 1t 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 pocket knife is the best kind to
carry for hunting, because it answers all
purposes.
The Senator reached into his trousers
pocket and pulled out heavy knife
with stout horn handle. One of its
blades was three inches long, broad,
keen, and of the finest metal. The
other two were smaller and less formid-
able in appearance. "That's the kind
of knife l use," he continued. "rve
had this one out only three times, but I
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 gen.
orally be had in houses convenient to the
grounds In order to provide for any
thing which may turn up, however, it is
better to take along two good blankets.
or, better still, heavy comfort.
Enough light oilcloth for use when it
becomes necessary to sleep on the ground
is also good thing. Where hunters go
into a regular camp it is usual to carry
hay for q bed on the earth in order to
keep out dampness.
"To make bed the hay can be stirred
up, dried before fire, and spread out
with the oilcloth. stretched over it and
the blankets next A 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 large
quantity Of hay packed into small
space. Inc PlailOur ana IalSe lueaS
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 if q man is hungry
he wants the best he can get to eat, and
he likes to sleep on an easy couch no
matter how tired he may be.
"The manner of finding deer is the
hard part 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 by tracking
when snow is on the ground. The deer
is harder to approach than the fox. I've
hunted both, and regard that statement
as proved. The deer's sense of smell is
refined and his hearing intensely acute.
If the wind is blowing from the hunter
toward him he is sure to find the pur-
suer out He is looking for the man as
much as the man is looking for him. A
great point in still hunting is to see all
ahead of you, and make sure that moth
ing ahead sees you. The hunter must