The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-02
A GREAT HUNTING GROUND.
An Abundance of Game OF Every
Description in Alaska.

An Abundance of Game Of Every
Description in Alaska.
It Is remarkable fact that game is
actually on the increase in Alaska today.
1t is well known that the moose was for
meriy unknown within its limits, but
driven from the forests Of lower Canada
and the United States by the constant
onslaughts of the huntsman. It has grad
ually travelled westward and northward
until 1t has finally reached the Alaskan
peninsula, and, breeding for years prac-
ttcally free from molestation, II has be-
come abundant there today. When the
agents of the Hudson Bay Company first
appeared in its vicinity they found the
Indians dwelling about the Hyland river
unwilling to ascend IL or to have any,
thing to do with the country about
it's headwaters, superstitiously maintain
ing that long before, as party Of braves
of their tribe were ascending the river in
canoe, suddenly terrible, black some
thing rose seemingly out Of the very wa
ter itself, overturned the canoe and
drowned most of the hunters In the whiri-
pools. Might not the legend have been
an account, exaggerated by the simple
and overawed Indians, of their first meet
ing with moose, especially as during the
summer months the animal often fire.
quents the vicinity Of streams, standing
shoulder deep in the water to avoid In
sects? An untutored Indian, unfamiliar
with the moose and its character, meet
ing 1t for the first time, might well be Inn
pressed with superstitious awe and dread,
such powerful and formidable front
does 1t often present
A second factor which has resulted In
the increase Of game animais in Alaska is
the manner in which the Indians, and
white hunters as well. following their ex-
ample. capture such meat as they may
stand in need Of The country, being, as
a general thing, rough and difficult to trav-
erse, the huntsman paddles along some
waterway in his canoe. scanning the banks
as he goes. until he comes upon his quarry
feeding or lettering near the waters edge.
The result Is that the vast interior OF the
country at a distance from the streams
and navigable waterways is seldom visit
ed by the huntsman and as consequence
its wild animal life augments from year to
year. So Alaska has proved the natural
corral of the continent into which all Its
game animals have gradually been driven
and penned In amid surroundings which
are far from being unfavorable. In fact,
here they have found =, refuge
admirably adapted to their needs.
and have been steadily thriving aud In
creasng until Alaska today has become
one OF the best natural game preserves In
the world. Some moose and cariboo roam
its swamps in search of teEler shoots.
mountains goats nibble thu grasses and
moses OF the higher mountain slopes. and
black and brown bears prowl about In the
darkest recesses Of the forests and along
the streams in search OF fish. The spruce
grouse is abundant In the dense evergreen
woods and exceedingly tame; the blue
grouse is also to be found in the upper
timber belts OF the mountain sides, and
ptarmigan on the sunny cliffs and barrens.
Rabbits are plentiful everywhere. and as
a matter OF course their deadly foe, the
lynx, Is usually not far away Amid such
O variety as this the sportsman cannot fail
to ind plenty Of employment for his gun