The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-03-30
AN ELK HUNT.
Glorious Sport in the Mountain Valleys o.
Oregon.


Oregon.
Z1[2H HE elk has grown shy of late years.
@EaTs and is as quick to recognize a man
4JrE3lSo with gun to his shoulder as a
~ crow, and they said to be as
ovSsS7|Uo knowing" as human beings in
that respect, and this noble animal mas for
saken his former hauuts along the streams of
this vicinity. and the green sheltered valleys
OF the snow clad mountains lifting their white
heads TO the heavens not more eternal, and has
He'd to the Temoter regions found along the
beetliDg crags and lofty peaks of these same
mountain chains
For the most part. however, it is too cold TO
hunt these animals, and it is not until the
weather moderates and the herds on their way
back TO their refugees among the cliffs and crags
linger, tempted by the fresh verdure with its
tender, velVety green, that parties are organ
lied TO trail this noble game and to shoot them
down.
A few days ago notice was circulated among
the nimrods of the neighborhood and COM
psny al once came together and set OUT for the
purpose of q hunt.
A herd was at last located on the west
bank of DEVILS Creek, which neeessitated a
circling about of some miles in order that the
hunters might advance upon it from the oppO-
site direction from which the wind was biow-
-ing. There were nearly a dozen in the party
aud the plan agreed upon was something like
that adopted in the Highlands and termed
" stalking"
This was to separate the band into two conn
panies, which were to advance upon the eIks
from different directions. The dogs were Left
behind as being likely to give the game warn
ing OF the eDemys approach By an inadyertens
bark irresponsible yell of excitement.
1t was shortly after dawn that the start was
made, the guide. unmounted, but as nimble on
foot as any present leading the way, keen to
1Gf rn6I pnf NJ hor kuvy.
changed its position.
Reaching a bend in the creeks bank the
party was divided, one section going to the
right, with the other disappearing in the mist
that marked the winding of the stream through
the valley. The progress was now slower than
ever, for at any moment it was likely that the
hunter would come upon the game, and it was
preferable that the surprise should be upon one
side, and that side not theirs. Ali at once there
was quick recoil of one of the foremost horses
as the rider jeTked him sharply back, and
through the gray vail there was rush forward
of big male elk. which, acting as sentinel,
had been found off guard.
He evidently carried the alarm to his CON-
pani0ns. for there was the hurried rush of feet
just ahead, and the guide sang out in his odd
mixture of Indian and English: =" To the gal
lopi To the gallOp, we lose them !" which
was followed by the sharp digging of spurs into
the tanks of horses. an excited hallOoing, and
a break into gsllop. In another moment We
came in sight of the startled, harassed elks,
which, overcome by terror at the sudden APP
pearsnce of the foe, were too beyildered to
know in which direction to fee but ran hither
aud thithsr in broken half gsllop, only to
turn back and fly in another direction.
The rifles rang out loudly, and the stately
creatures fell almost under the horses feet,
some of them dead. while others, wounded in
the breast or sides, fell in a death sgeny with
Al. IL
MEATH For the most part, however, these
were the younger males and the does, for the
bucks, recovering themselves after the first
onslaught, fed down the forest glades. But
presently there came the sound of fresh guns
a little farther on, and believing wildly there
came rushing back the fugitive males of the
herd with the second division of the party
riding hard and fast behind them.
Volley after volley was poured into their
midst and a full half of the band fell under the
steady fire, the others escaping only because
the hunters were too much occupied to pursue
them. Bnt the occasion was not without its
spice of danger, for magnificent buck with
antlers superb beyond any of its mates wounded
in the head. made plunge at the hunter whose
ball had stunned it for moment and as the elk
with lowered head the horse in
frenzy of fright darted back and threw his
rider. Then. neighing frantically. he broke
away into the woods, leaving his master to re-
ceive unmounted the assault of the maddened
elk.
The animal returned to the attack with all the
fury they can display when wounded or brought
to bay, and as the hunter raised his weapon to
his shoulder TO take aim, the punging crea-
ture knocked it from his grasp and had not
he caught the autler5 near the tip they would
in all probability have been buried in his
breast, iniicting wound meaning certain
death. The hunter held on with all his might,
while the animal twisted its head violently in
an attempt to wrench its horns from his hold,
at the same time grinding its enemy's feet in
most frightful manner under its sharp hoof5.
So rapid were its writings and movements
that the rest of the party were afraid TO fire.
lest the shot should strike the man instead of
the beast. Seeing, however, that the hUnt-
er's strength giving out. and that be was,
besides, nearly exhausted from pain and loss Of
blood. the Indian WampaboO drew his knife.
and stepping closely up to the frantic animal
waited until it again turned its head in his di-
rectiOn, when, with a rapid movement of the
hand and wrist he buried the blade in the
creatures skull just behind the ear, where the
bone does not join but is covered by menu
brane and drove it to the hilt in the brain be-
meath The elk shivered from me soft velvet
nuzzle of its nose. along the spinal cord, and
without another movement or sound sank
quietly at the Indians feet.
The unfortunate hunter was mOst painfully
hurt several of the smaller bones of the fest
being broken. His boots being of stout leather
Of hunting pattern. are all that saved him the
power of ever being able to walk again. As 5
was they were filed with blood, and the flesh
IF the lower limbs and feet reduced to IA pulp.
When the hunters returned home they carried
with them in all Il splendid eIks, of which
nine were does aud the rest fine young bucks
philadelphia Times.