Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1899-11-27
A MOOSE HUNT IN THE WILDS
OF MAINE.

AS usual, "Outir1g" furnishes most
interesting sketch of a moose hunt in
that very popular sporting country,
the Pine Tree State, of which the fol-
lowing is an extract:
ga hunt in the Maine woods; limit
of time, two weeks; sole object, a
moose. The leaves have fallen, the
underground has become compare
lively clear, and the moose have left
the lakes and streams and sought
shelter in the more thickly wooded
hills and ranges. The rutting season
is over, and all the fight has left the
bull who busies himself in selecting a
"yard," some we'll protected hillside,
where the tender tops of the moose
wood and maple will furnish him food
dnring the heavy SHOWS. The sports
man in quest of moose in Maine ar
rives at the little station nearest the
hunting region, puts up at the coun-
try hotel, listens to stories of the
heads carried out Of the woods, and is
assured by his guide of the plentiful
ness of games. The next morning
what joy! The ground is covered
with snow, soft and velvety, four or
five inches. Just the right depth, not
too much for fast travelling, yet just
enough to cushion the leaves and
deaden ones footballs. The hunter,
with whatever rifle he fanuies, and
the guide with his pack make an ear
ly start. Three or four miles over
one range, with here and there view
of distant lake. or a glimpse of
long stretch Of crimson and blue hills,
down into swamp, across treacher-
Gus brooks, when 10! moose tracks.
Immediately the hunters spirits
mount high, his strength is doubled,
and every sense is on the alert. The
guide examines the tracks critically;
it might be young bull. At any
rate, it will probably lead to yard or
to other moose, SO for the next three
or four hours the trail is followed
through boys, over fallen treetops and
under overhanging boughs, which the
guide scrutinizes closely. Bark fresh
ly peeled from young trees, bushes
bent over, and the fresh tracks the
guide decides were made during the
early morning. There are three in
the herd, big tracks, and from the
bark scraped off the trees, there is
evidently bull amongst them. The
trails cross and wander about aim
lessly. The beasts are possibly in the
near neighborhood. Now great eau
ton must be observed. A finger is
wetted and held up to find the exact
direction of she wind. Taking note of
rounding mills and valleys, the guide
leads the sportsman circuitOusly to
Ieeward OF a certain narrow little val
ley and against the wind. Creeping,
half crawling, they cautiously select
place for each step. The signs grow
fresher every minute, and the hunters
grow more alert and careful. Just as
they reach the top Of a little rise, a
black object is seen to move amongst
the growth some hundred yards dis
OcthU' StOOC1l 1OW dliN w AO1Ny' n
moment later the object turns, and
presents broadside showing a fine
pair of horns. Now quick, but take
careful aim. Bang! once, twice. Shoot
again as ne runs-three, four-yes,
more times if necessary. The old bull |
stops and weakens, then, staggering, |
falls heavily to the ground, dead. A /
moment to realize that he has actually
killed his moose, aud then the tri-
hunter produces flask that |
he and his guide may drink to their |
success. and to each others health +
and to everybody else's good health. |
They then fill their pipes and sit down
to enjoy little of that calm content
ment that follows the complete and /
successful accomplishment of ones |
most cherished desires. The next day |
is spent in 'blaZing' and 'sWamping |
OUT way by which the moose may
be hauled out, and after much labor |
and difficult driving, he is hauled into
camp on sled"
If you want to know all about the |
regions, send a two-cent |
stamp to the General Passenger De-
partment of the Boston & Maine Rail-
road for the pamphlet. 1t is we'll |
worth reading.