The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-05-14
SHARING A CARIBOU.
The Guides in the Wilderness of
Maine Can Catch Big Game.


! was on hunting trip with Jules iris
tam in the Eagte Lake region. The third
day out We had struck the track of carl
bOu, sighted it once or twice, but never
came near enough to get shot. though for
eighteen hours we tramped and plowed
our way through the thick wood and
treacherOus underground in the animals
rear. To alone for this the Narraguagus
hunter proposed that we snare one.
$50 ahead" said, for though a trifie
incredulous, having never trapped any
thing larger than a rabbit myself il it could
be done | certainly wished to see it.
Our camp was pitched on the shores OF q
small pond. The country around us was
thickly timbered 4 couple Of miles to the
north Jules had noticed caribou run, lead
ing from the hills to the water. and it was
along this pathway winding in and out
among the trees like clearly defined cow
path that he proposed to put his plan into
operation.
By way of appliances Jules carried an
AK aud a coil of stout wire, and, selecting
a spot were the the trees were thiekesJ and
most regular, he WAS soon at work. His
scheme was simple and looked effective.
II was to erect barrier directly across the
run, leaving an opening in it about four
feet from the ground and adjust moose,
fastened to sapling in such a manner that
a caribou, in attempting 10 force his way
through. would get hung like iack-rabbit.
The barrier was built Of branches freshly
cut, woven in and out 10 give the appear
apce of natural hedge, but yet stout
enough to offer considerable res stance to
an animal attempting to pass it. The hole
left in it was about in the center and large
enough for a caribou, stopping, to get its
antlers through. The moose was the size
of the opening. cunningly concealed from
view, and the young tree 10 which It was
attached stood some twelve feet back, like
a tall eXecutiOner, tough and strong, but
with plenty of spring aud give.
Two hours was my friend Jules in con-
structing the eXtempOre gall0ws. Then
turning 10 ME he offered to bet that inside
Partly from devilment, partly from doubt,
took him up, as the saying is, and new
hat hung on the hanging of that caribou.
On the way back Jules explained that
the efficiency of the trap rested on the fact
that animals of the horned species, once
accustomed to a run. will not be lightly
turned out of il. but will try 10 effect q
passage through anything in their way,
and the hole looking to be the weakest
roint, it is into this they stick their neckS
first. Then there is n pushing forward q
hauling backward, believing noise, a
wild struggle for about five minutes, dur
ing which the sappling bends. the wire
tightens and the deed is done.
Early next morning we were both on
hand. as the guide said, to pick up the
pieces, out TO my surprise ana MS disgust
the hedge was broken and the wire moose
gone. The animal, caribou to q certainty.
had been caught around the antlers instead
OF around the neck, and with desperate
Jerk had freed it elf This, Jules informed
me, mad never happened before. and it was
with more than usual care that he repaired
the trap and readjusted it for a second at
tempt.
The day following found it untouched.
but on the third day noise ana movement
among the trees told us, as we approached,
that the moose had doue its work and the
captive awaited us. Nor were we mis-
taken, for, sure enough, there swung
bull caribou, beauty-4S0 he weighed
pulling for all he was worth and choking
| to death as the wire frightened and cut into
his throat
A bullet from my rife soon put the ami
NAL out of his misery, and Jules had won
his bet,