The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-03-09
TRACKING A CARIBOU.
Snow-Shoeing and Crawling to
Get at the Big Game.
Exciting Chase OF a Determined Hu1tas
After Big Buli-Twenty-Two Miles
Over Snow and Through Brush
old Joe's Triumph.

ence Will perhaps convey an idea OF
what still-hunting elk and caribou
means when the animals have enjoyed
the doubtful advantage of a slight ac-
quaintance with mans murderous
methods.
Now, FIRST. as to the caribou-a keen
nosed, shy, fast-trotting, sturdy fellow.
and right worthy game for any mans
rife. Two varieties of this species
the woodland and the barren ground
caribou-inhabit the American CONT
nent The woodland variety is found
i'll Maine and certain extreme northern
portions of the United States, notably
about the headwaters of the Missis-
sippi river and in the extreme north of
Idaho. The barren ground caribou
does not generally range SO far south
as the International boundary. In
Canada caribou are much more widely
distributed They are plentiful in
Newfoundlan and. scarce in Nova Scotia,
more numerous in New Brunswick.
abundant in Que bee and Labrador, and
fair NUN bers OF them haunt the wilds
of northern Ontario Especially the
north shore of Lake Superior) and por-
tons of Manitoba In British Column
bia they bound among the mountains,
and not infrequently great herds are
seen defling from some canyon or NOV
ing down some noun tain side in Indian
file. and looking at distance like a
pack train.
The best caribou-shooting may be
had in Newfoundland and British
Columbia, but Queb bee and North On
tario yet offer rare good sport to those
who like roughing it.
During the winter of 's9. says E. W.
Sandys in Outing, I was temporarily
located at point on the magnificent
I.orth shore of Lake Superior, my COM
kanion being half-breed hunter who
lore resonant Indian title too long
| for insertion in these pages. When he
wanted to travel light he bore the name
CT "Jo," which will answer for the
present. 1t was cold up there in the
| icy breath of the Great Inland sea, but
we were snug enough in an old rail-
| way construction log camp and had
fairly good sport with grouse, filing up
time attending to JOS lines of traps.
lend" is perfect network of lakes and
streams, large and small; the country
Ia very rough and rocky. varied with
great barrenS, muskegs and beaver
meadows. Vast portions are densely
forested, and others carry only ghostly,
scattered 'rampikes," showing where
fires have swept. Our headquartt%,
were the log camp referred to, but we
had temporary camp at the end of a
line of traps some ten miles inland,
near the head of a chain of small lakes,
famous in the annals of the fur trade.
from it westward extended an inn
raense barren for mile after mile,
bounded by gray-blue wall of forest.
One night. while we were at the lit
tie camp. heavy fall of snow re-
dressed the Manufactured landscape,
and 10 and l fell to discussing the
chance for caribou About daylight
we turned out and 10 stood for a few
moments reading the sky and sweep
ing the barren with those marvellous
aboriginal eyes of his, which could
count a band of animals farther than 1
could see them. Presently he grunted
softly and exclaimed:
Oar um car'boo!" and pointed vest
ward. l looked long and earnestly,
and at last made out distant object
rloving slowly over the snowy barren.
discovered that it was indeed Carl,
hou-a lone bull evideutly-as no more
could be found.
After hurriedly feeding, we stuffed
our pockets with bread and meat, felt
that matches, pipes and "baccy" were
in their places, donned our snowshoes
and started in the direction of our van
ished game. ''Car'boo all right; FEED
day on moss. Bymeby find um moro
car boo" said 10, and guessed that he
liked the prospect.
It was cold, gray day, sharp;
breeze blew directly across the barren,
and now and then a few snowfakesi
sifted down, limiting of another down.
fall, though there was already more
snow than we wanted. But there was
little danger of anything serious, and
we didn't trouble about the weather.
After tramping for about three miles,
10 discovered the tracks of the Carl
bou, but the beast itself was not in
sight.
10 decided that he would work across
the barren in case the game had
doubled on its course, and leave me 10
follow the track. ME go cross. look
long UNI tree. You run track, bymeby
mebbe you find UNI car boo" and he
waved his hand. indicating that he
would cross and then scout along the
woods on the farther side
/ moved ahead rapidly, while 10 was
in the open, being anxious TO get far
enough in advance of him to forestaH
all possibility of his wind reaching the
game before 1 got within range. had
followed the track until it was nearly
noon, keeping a sharp lookout ahead,
before caught glimpse of the bull
browsing quietly near the edge of the
woods A long look through the glass
told me that he was magnificent
specimen, bearing particularly fine
set of antlers. and that he was feeding
near cover which promised compare
lively easy approach within certain
range. To obtain this splendid trophy
was my firm resolve, II patient, skill |
full creeping" counted for anything. !
Working carefully well to leeward the |
shelter of the dense tim Der was at last |
safely gained al point some half mile |
from the game. had already put in |
lot Of hard work ard was half wearied, |
but the golden prospect sustained NE /
Once safe in cover the shoes were re-
moved. and. gliding, stealing, fitting, /