The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-03-14
TRACKING A CARIBOU.
Snow-Shoeing and Crawling to
Cot at tho BIG Game.
Exciting Chase Of Determined Hunter
Arer = Mig ali-Twsnty- Two Miles
Over Snow and Through Itrush
odd Joe's Triumph.

odd Joe's Triumph.
A giance over sportsman's cxperi-s
encc will perhaps convey an idea Of
what still-hunting elk and caribou
means when the animals have enjoyed
the doubtful advantage Of slight ac-i
quaintance with mans murderousl
methods.
Now, FIRST. as TO the caribou--a kecn-s
nosed, shy, fast-trotting, sturdy fellow.
and right worthy game for any mans
rifle. Two varieties Of this species
the woodland and the barren ground
lcaribou-inhabit the American conti-s
nent. The woodland variety Is found
IN 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
| Newfoundland, scarce In Novaz Scotia,
more Numerous In New brunswick,
abundant iii Quebec and Labrador. and
I
Of northern Ontario Especially the
north shore Of Lake Superiorl and por-
tions of Manitoba. In British Column
bia they abound among the mountains,
and not infrequently great herds are
seen defiling from some canyonor NOV
! ing down some mountain side in Indian
file, and looking ut distance like u
pack train
The best misunderstanding may be
had in Newfoundland and British
Columbia, but Quebec and North On
tario yet offer rare good sport to those
who like roughing il.
During the winter Of 80. says T. w.
Sandys In Outing, / was temporarily
located at point on the magnificent
north shore of Lake Super ior. my com
panion being a half-breed hunter who
bore resonant Indian title too long
for insertion in these pages. When he
wanted to travel light he bore the name
OF s.Jo,' which will answer for the
present. 1t was cold up therein 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, filling mp
time attending TO JOS lines Of traps.
Between Superior and the height Of
iand'' is perfect network of lakes and
streams, large and small; the country
Is very rough and rocky, varied with
great barrens, muslSegs and beaver
meadows Vast portions are densely
forested, and Others carry only ghostly
scattered ..rampilSes, showing where
fires have swept. Our headquarters
were the log camp referred to, but we
had temporary camp ut the end OF a
line Of traps some ten miles inland,
near the head OF chain of small lakes.
famous in the annals Of the fur trade
From 1t westward extended an Inn
mense barren for mile after mile,
bounded by a 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 fell 10 discussing the
chance for caribou. About daylight
we turned out, and 10 stood for q few
moments reading the sky and sweep
ing the barren with those marvellous
aboriginal eyes Of his, which could
count band Of animals farther than
could see them. Presently he grunted
softly and exclaimed:
.sDar UNI car BOOB and pointed west
ward. I looked long and earnestly,
and at last made ont o distant object
moving slowly over the snowy barren.
Getting the glass. focused on IL and
discovered that it was indeed Carl
bou--a lone bull eyidently--as no more
could be found.
After hnrriedly feeding, we stuffed
our pockets with bread and meat, felt
that matches, pipes and "baccy' We're
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 UNI 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 . few snowfiakes
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
bon, 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 60 cross, look
long yum tree. You run track. bymeby
lnebhc you find um 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 waa
In the open. being anxious 70 get far
enough in advance Of him to forestall
all possibility Of his wind reaching the
game before got within range. had
followed the track until II was nearly
noon, keeping sharp lookout ahead.
before caught glimpse Of the bull
browsing quietly near the edge 81 the
woods. A long look through the glass
told me that he was o 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 timber was at last