Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-14
IL we are to save the moose from utter
and speedy extinction.

anu SpceUy eAtiHctlou.
The caribou Is also scarce In Maine
and while many writer's and hunters
claim that the animals have migrated
in Canada, some say that they have
gone to another world-that they nave
been slaughtered. simply because u IS
easy to Kill them. A caribou may De
hard to catch up with. but once caught
he Is easy 70 shoot, for he is rather
stupid animal; and IL there is q herd,
the huntsmen keep on shooting as long
as there is one OF them left standing.
for, instead OF taking alarm, they Will
frequently stand gaping at their de-
stroyers until the last shot has been
fired. The caribou COW and calf are
not protected as are those Of the moose
and for that reason the extinction of
their species will be more rapid.
Sportsmen generally deplore the
passing OF the moose. as It is the big
bulls that furnish the best sport in the
woods. Fly Rod says that for every
moose killed In Maine, $500 is spent
here by the fortunate sportsman, while
anybody can get deer for very few
dollars-without going further than
Bangor, either. 1t il to preserve this
source of revenue, as we'll as to keep
the great moose alive in the forests,
that the Maine Legislature grants the
annual appropriation that is expended
by the fish and game commissioners II.
the propagation and protection Of fish
and game. How much good Is accom-
r,lt hui hn avpanditnra nf fhtS
money is a question long debated by
hunters and other people. 1t Is esti-
mated that over three-fifths Of the $25.-
900 appropriated every year lately has
been expended in the propagation OF
fishes, leaving for the protection OF the
big game sum that is trifiing when
the extent OF territory to be covered 10
taken into consideration.
or deer there is a great abundance,
everywhere in eastern and northern
Maine. From Bangor TO the Allagash
the woods are full Of deer, and t.
these were all the game required to
satisfy the visiting sports9nen, then
we should have really a huntsman's
paradise. But the New Yorker or Bos-
tonian who has been here and killed
his deer next wants a caribou and then
yearns for a moose. just as it Is the
ambition of the Englishman in India
to kill tiger. 1t Is not the worth or
rarity of the animal, but the danger
and excitement of the hunt that makes
moose-kllling attractive to our wealthy
visitors from the cities. They want a
moose. and when the day comes that
we shall have no moose for them. then
they will pass Maine by, as many are
doing even now, and go to New Bruins
wick. where they can get all they want,
by paying for the privilege.
Another recommendation that Will
be made to the Legislature next winter
will be that all marketing of game. |
birds included, be prohibited, in Maine
or out of it. 1t is the market hunters
who have killed off the cartridges, that
once We're so numerous in. Maine. and |
there seems to be a general DISPOSE |
ton to shut the markeemen out, and
to preserve the game for real sports
men. who pay literally for the spirit |
Of killing it. 1t is proposed, also. 10
ask for the abolition of the bounty on
bears. AT present a bounty of S. is |
paid upon every bear, wolf or bobcat |
killed.
Wolves were once numerous in |
Maine, but for 30 years past few of i
them have been seen in the State. Oc- |
casionally a report comes from some |
where on the border that wolves have |
been seen, but the reports are generally |
set down as fairy stories, told by |
people who either don't know a wolf |
when they see one or who desire to get |
up scare. If the wolves do come |
back in any considerable numbers |
then the increase of deer. which has |
BEEN very rapid OF late, will be serious |
ly checked. for deer have never been |
able to live in the same country with !
wolves.
1t was estimated that 10000 deer were
killed in Maine last year. This is prob
ably an exaggeration, but the number |
was large. as the Bangor &tAroostook |
Railroad transported over 5000 car
cases. Perhaps GOO were killed, and |
this number, it is said, can well be |
spared every year. without depicting
the stock. Moose or no moose, there !
will be plenty of deer for the hunters |
who come to Maine in October.
A Persian never takes a dose of physic |
until he has previously obtained favor |
able answer from heaven in the shape of |
an omen. Should he happen to sneeze |
when ne has the potion at his lips he |
In tntvn