Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-11-01
THROUGH MAINE WOODS.
Trip Taken by Game Commissioners
and Judge Whitehouse.
Ths Latter Suggests Two Possible Changes in
tho Game Laws.

commissioner l.. T. Carleton was found
in his Office at the State House. Monday.
literally buried in work that has accumu-
lated during his absence of the past two
weeks, in the Maine woods He was be-
ing assisted out of the piles of work and
papers, by Game Warden Nichols who
was advising about the registration of
guides who had applied during his alb
sence, and by his clerk, Miss Hodgdon,
who has kept the affairs of the office
moving.
How did you enjoy your trip?" asked
the reporter
Hello" he shouted. "Oh. had q good
time and found little health as every
one is bound to do in that country But
so far as telling you what happened on
the trip haven't the time, today, as you
can see for Yourself. Furthermore" he
added assuming truthful attitude, 1.-The
only member of the party who is noted
for his truthfulness is Judge Whitehouse,
and | think you had better call upon him
and get true version of the trip as l
might be inclined to digress from the
paths of truth in my enthusiasm. On
his Washingtonian sentiments regarding
truths, can give you few pointers
Taking Mr. Carleton at his word Judge
Whitehouse was visited, at his room at
the court house and though he did not
think he could tell of anything interest
ing to the people, he was willing to chat
upon his trip.
in the first place." said the judge, Il
wish it distinctly understood, that shot
the deer that has been credited to me. /
did it with my little rifle Che surely had
Washingtonian way Of speaking) 81
shot the buck, and there were dozen or
more that we could have shot had we de-
sired. In all, our party which was COM
nosed of Commissioners Carleton and
Oak, and myself, with three guides and
cook, shot four deer which we ate on
the trip. VI have sent the head of my deer
to be mounted as souvenir of the trip.
The judge is highly enthusiastic over
the trip, and he says it is one he has long
desired to take. The entire journey was
nearly 600 miles. as they started from Au-
gusta going to Greenvlle and Kineo,
where they took a boat for the head of
Moosehead lake Then BY canoe they
west branch OIL the Penobscot, and away
across the country to the Allagash to the
st. John river. down this river to Fort
Kent, where they called upon the vener-
able Duke of Fort Kent, Major Dickey.
Again across to the Square lake region.
and by team on the county road to Carl
bou, and from there home.
A snow storm had left six or seven
inches of snow upon the ground over
their entire route, but this did not mar
the enjoyment. The first night out they
stopped at a i-otel at Chesuncook, and
the rest of the time they slept in
their tents, with boughs and blan-
kets for beus. They got wet several
times, but not one of them got a cold.
Judge Whitehouse says a man in that in
MIGRATING air and scenery, forgets to
take a cold where he would catch one a
dozen times at home.
Their primary object was to get a
moose, but in this they were disappont-
cd, and the only one they saw on the
trip was a COW moose, the first day out
from Moosehead lake. The moose and
the caribou during this season, are to be
found on the ridges, rather than in the
valleys No caribou were seen on the
journey.
Says Judge Whitehouse, "Lthink meas
ures will have to be taken soon to pre-
serve the moose, or it will be in their
case, as it was in that of the buffalo of
the West. We must protect them or they
will soon be exterminated.
Concerning the deer though, "he con-
tinued, Il find that they have increased
quite a little, and there are still COM
plants that they are doing some work o.
destruction among the gardens and crops
of the settlers. do not know but that
itFwould be a good idea to increase the in
come of the State, by charging fee for
killing enough deer through August for
the food consumption of the visiting
sportsmen. l think it would be good
experiment. 1t would do away to great
extent, what illegal killing that probably
exists. and would increase the revenue OF
the State. II could be made as Illegal t.
ship from the State any deer, until the
close time is off, and it would not tend
to decrease the number of the deer.
1--WE thought when we started out thai
we had taken route where we would no.
| be liable to encounter many sportsmen
and had taken section of the country
| that was not much hunted But wher
ever we went there were signs of partie:
| that had preceded us"
! They visited the house where Gam
Warden Collins was killed, several year.
/ ago.
DO you like to take trips in the frai
! canoes?' was asked.
II don't mind it. as ! am used to them,
answered the judge. Zone naturally ha
a timidity about entering one at first, Blu
under the skillful guidance of the guides
you will soon forget the danger if any ex
lists. II happened that We had three yer,