The sun., 1899-07-16
SURPRISE FOR THE MOOSE.
A Maine Game Warden Runs His Canoe
Slap Into One Feeding.

FoxcRoFT. Me-. July 15.-Game Warden W.
T. Pollard OF Foxcroft. who has Just returned
from an official trip in the region north of
Moosehead Lake. reports that he saw great
abundance OF game during his journey 1t is
the season when deer seek the water to Let rid
OF flies. and in travelling distance OF ten miles
on the west branch OF the Penobscot River.
between the Northwest Carry and Joe Smiths.
he saw thirty-two deer and four moose. As Is
usual among the antlered game in close time.
these animals showed as a rule. little fear OF
man. A remarkable adventure that befell him
on the West Branch was his actually humping
with his canoe against moose.
Coming down the stream. near the mouth OF
the Moosehorn. he sail the moose. n large COW.
standing in the water. which came to her belly.
feeding on the aquatic grass at the bottom.
She would thrust her head downlnto the water.
holding it there until she had secured mouth
full OF grass. and then would raise it above the
surface in order to swallow her mouthiul and
to breathe. Her calf standing on the bank oc-
crpied much Of her attention and. stand
ing sidewise to the current she did not
appear 10 notice tho approach OF Pollard in
his canoe. BY padding at times when her
head was under water aud letting his craft float
warden was able to oapproach so near the moose
that vigorous stroke OF the paddle sent the
bow of the canoe suuarely against her side.
which seemed to be the first intimation she
had OF his presence. She sheered sidewse
from the blow. ra sing her head from the water
as she did so. and for n moment stood blinking
at the warden with an expression Of utter
she rushed to the shore where 1t was and
taking her position in front OF II, remained gaz-
ing at Pollard until he fioated out OF view
Despite the atrocious slaughter OF moose
and deer last winter by poachers. to supply
certain lumber camps with fresh meat the
good prospects for hunting in Maine for the
coming season. In trip OF four miles along
the Buttermilk chain OF ponds. north OF Sebcc
Lake. fisherman last week counted fifteen
seen in Foxcroft township this summer and
deer have repeatedly ventured into the out
skirts OF the village. Complaints are some
times made by farmers that the deer have
destroyed their growing crops. but these cases
when investigated usually are found to have
but little backing Of facts
Mostly these complaints come from men
who want to Kill deer in all times and seasons
said one OF tho best OF the Maine game war
dens They raise the cry Of crops injured In
hopes they can create Il sentiment among the
farmers against the game laws. Some OF them
exposed places on purpose to have them eaten
by the deer. 80 that they can have an excuse
for comp planning. Others. on finding that GER
tain OF their crops are sure to be failure. have
contrived to make it appear that the deficiency
is due to the inroads OF deer. In point OF fact
Il deer visiting grainield causes less damage
in proportion to the amount he eats than any
other creature. He begins at the edge and
feeds only at one place. eating clean as he goes.
and returns always to the samespot IL he visits
the crop than he devours. two-year- old
steer or heifer will do more trampling and
damage generally in a grainfleld in night
than full family OF deer would do in week"