The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-12
SHor THE yTCfOR MOOSE.
How n Candid Maine Hunter Fell Afssi
tho Game Laws.

AiIAGAsI PLANTATION, Nc. Nov. l0-A
game warden who is on duty at the junction Of
Alag ash and AroostcOk rivers has lately arrested
Fred Houscman Of Springfield, Mass, for having
in his possession the bodies Of two bull moose
both Of which were killed on the upper waters OF
tho Allagash when Ilousenan had been taken
before trial justice. and had told his story. tho
tale wa, convincing and showed 80 little evidence
Of intentional crime tina, the hunter was allowed
To- 60 home after filing 4 bond for his appearance
al the spring term OF court"
iIouscmau, accompanied by two registered
guides. left North east Carry for the Anagash
region carly in October lie intended 10 pass a
month drifting down the river and proposed 10
secure all the big game the law allowed lie shot
young brar after crossing the carry Into Cham
bcrlain Lake Before the bears meat had been
eaten up he secured a big buck deer Meantime
he aud has guides had kept the camp lardcr well
supplied with partridgrs aud rabbits After pass
ing Seven Islands, and when nearly out TO the
Canada line he captured his second deer thus
completing the quota allowed by law. lie had
seen several small moose on his Journey and after
Oct, Is, when open time for moose bcgan,'h tried
10 get one. There were plenty Of chances for
shooting small spike horns. but as he wanted a
big head for mounting he RETAINED from shoot
ing knowing he would have TO pay fine Of $500
and run the RISK Of going to jail for six months II
1t was known that he had killed more than one
bull moose.
One day when he was more than 6ity miles
north Of Swan Islands lie heard agteat cracking
and tumult among some elder bushes near No
river, Running his canoe TO bank and creeping
through the brush he saw two bull moose battling
for their lives In the a sdE om 2ns bs
spread Ave feet from tip 70 tip Ills body was
small and badly emacinud but thatgreat stump
like ornament on his head. was worth 500 TO
any hunter The other moose was Clcdn-li Sbcd
and fat, but his antlcrs were OF the commonest
owner. The fight had been in progress for some
time when li1nseman came along ~, HS NE bog
was badly wall9wcd and punched fun OF holes
The men who saw the conflict say there Is little
chivary in u moose nigh, The bulls backed of
toge,her hsad.on like two rams after which they
hooked and gouged and pushed In a manner
that was very unproiesSional Both animals
n rush. but when fighting at close quarters neither
one uttered a sound. They met midway in tho
& S mT snM n.
older moose was getting badly windod. Tho
shoulders and necks OF both animals were torn
ai anters, and their fore legs were dripping with
blood In tho NTH tilt the younger moose leaped
older enc ADVERSARY rushed past no Sutted hs loo
in tho ribs hurling tho veteran upon his side
in the mud, Rearing on his hind legs, the young
moose brought his sharp hoofs down upon tho
neck Of his foe, driving his head into the mud
and scvering his nindpipo as with a knife Not
satisfied with killing his enemy he gored and
Ing, that the precious antlers would he broken
and ruined, took up his Winchester and shot tho
victor in tho midst Of his triumph.
AS soon as no klisd Tho young moose House
man had involved Himscli in a Case whero ethics
and law were at variance. II no had been allowed
10 exercise his own choice. no would have killed
the old moose for the sake OF tho antlcrs, and
would have eaten the tough dry meat without
murmuring, Since tho young moose had preced-
cd him in the Staying process and had rendered
the meat Of the dead animal UNIT TO eat tho hunter
felt justified In utilizing the flesh Of tho younger
head OF the old moose and tho dressed quarters
Of tho young one, no proceeded out TO the settle
ment and told a truthful story TO the waiting
warden who complying with the letter Of the law,
placed him under arrest. II II the opinion OF
Maine lawyers who have looked into the case that
II will take Judge o. wise as Solomon and cum
ming ~ Sancho panza TO unite the knots Of law
and equity which Houscman In his candor and
innocence has put upon himself.