New-York tribune., 1896-05-24
HUNTING ELK ~ MONT4NA.
HOW THE HUNTERS SLIDE DOWN NOUN.
TAIN-SIDES ON THEIR SKIS

RI rom ne Helena independent
one cold morning little party might have been
seen preparing for elk hunt in front OF typical
mountain cabin Ii has been estimated that about
one man In LOCO will make a good elk hunter on the
skis. hence the three men who had gathered for
the sport objects OF no ordinary interest The
party was organized, as a rancher had decided 10
take number OF elk alive 10 make up herd. and
had sent for the best and most sklfu riders for
that purpose in the Montana mountains. The men
were trying their skis rubbing dope" sup
posed to make them swlfter and Increase the polish.
and discussing the prospects. Finally the party
ready and the start made. three men moving along
easily on the skis. and others ordinary
shoes; the former armed with larats-an important
feature in the hunt Elk had been massing in Q
canyon about two miles away several days before.
freeze. that the mountains were piled deep with
snow over which was a hard crust that cleaned
and glistened In the sunlight like glass
The plan OF the hunt to steal along the crest
OF the hills and mountains until a heard OF elk was
sighted in the valley below then. at the word start.
Slide down the mountain. dash into the herd at full
speed and rope the elk with larat before they
could recover from their astonishment.
After travelling some distance the hunters Finally
reached the ravine in which the elk had been seen.
lined with o bTush she TRey had gone
nearly a mile when the leader suddenly stopped and
pointed ahead. Through opening in the brush
down in the canyon. at the base of the deep slide
the dark forms of numerous elk were seen. the
men estimated that it at least two miles from
the open country. and that it would be impossible
for the elk to make much headway up the sides OF
the ravine. owing to the deep drifts
Lariats taken in hand and made ready,
and the three ski riders began to examine the slope
for favorable place to take the slide. This was
an important matter as. il tree, or some obstruc-
ton that could not be leaped. struck 1t would
end the hunt far az the ski man was concerned.
The slope OF the mountain was dotted with large
pines about which the snow was piled so that
many looked as though the tops were projecting
from the snow. Some distance they came TO =
place where evidently early in the winter there had
been a slide, and trees and brush had been carried
down in the rush. leaving comparatively smooth
run. which would bring them directly in the path
OF the herd The edge was approached carefunyi
then the word the men sprang forward and
went flying down the side of the mountain.
There ridge part way down. so that the elk
could not be seen until they had passed IT, and II
seemed hardly second before the riders reached
II, bounded into the air coming down gracefully,
and rushing on Ike the wind itself The elk saw
the mysterious figures like birds, rushing down the
slope upon them. and for second stood rigid with
amaZement. then rushed ahead some going up the
opposite slope. others plunging down the canyon.
On came the ski riders with rapidty that was IN
credible. A single false step would have sent them
whlring headiong over the Icy snow.
The elk made desperate efforts to escape. but be-
fore they could make any headway one OF the hunt
ers dashed into the herd and, whirng his RATA,
sent the rope the long. branching horns and
skilfully rounded himself up by II, thus reaching
the side OF the infuriated animal that, half buried
in the treacherous snow, struck at its captor ana
endeavored trampe him under foot. Another
rider whlzzing into the herd almost simul-
taneously and threw his RATA over the head OF
doe while the third. after dashing down into the
ravine and up some distance on the other SIDE. re-
turned and successfully roped fine buck, which
had been stalled in the deep snow OF the mountain
SIDE -