The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-04
GAME IN NEW ENGLAND.
Deer and other Wild Animals Bccom-
i'm. Plentiful.

iflnm tue iiafilofu L.tA iAnts-1
Not for years have the returns, not alone
from Connecticut. but from all through
southern and western Massachusetts. in
dieated such favorable season for game
of nearly all sorts. Some Of the creatures
captured or sighted in this State during
the past few months have not been found
before within our borders for very many
years As 10 the jolly black bear the last
one seen in Connecticut. prior TO one just
reported. was sho; AT Harwinton eighty
nine years ago. Ii is a matter OF record
that there was a successful chase FOR a
wild bear through the streets of Hartford
in 1866. Connecticut people. ii appears.
always took to- the black bear. for. al
though he was large and powerful and a
slick ihief' among the honey bees the
green corn, and the young pigs, he was
easily captured. and his meat was always
considered tasty morsel.
The comparatively recent closing of the
shooting season on deer, both In this State
and over the line in Massachusetts, with a
heavy money penalty for violation of the
law. has already resulted in a pleasing in
crease in the number OF these pretty crea-
lures. which now bob out in sight from
the most unexpected quarters. The Vir-
ginia deer was originally very common
here, and much of the clothing OF our an
cestors was made from il. The Legislature
attempted 10 prevent the determination Of
the animal. but TO little purpose apar-
emily until now. One reason why II is
said to have become so plentiful here as
quickly as il has is because the deer has
strayed here from Barnstable county.
Mass, where IL still hourishes in n wild
state. A beautiful wild deer was discov-
cred in the dense woods TO the east of Lam
tern Hill. in New London county, a few
il was eight OF ten rods from the road
had fine pair of branching antlers, and
disappeared like red streak OF paint
through the forest when the animal saw IL
was discovered
Deer are walking into dooryards and
distraSting the attention of the country
school children in nearby parts of Massa-
chusetts; they have been seen lately in
Montville and Salem. and one was drowned
as result of being pursued down Lyme
way. not long ago. good-sized deer, al
most tame. apparently, was started up in
Canaan n few weeks ago. and pair OF
deer was also discovered at Riverton by
two boy hunters who had hard work TO
keep from shooting at them. The finding
af two deer in the almost deserted town
OF woicott by Jewess. who ran for help, ,,
crying out, go get the goats with the big
horns" has lately been chronicled. All of
these facts go TO show that the deer is \
nourishing under its present protection. |
and that II bids fair TO become as much |
OF nuisance TO the Connecticut farmers |
as 1t already has under similar conditions |
in certain quarters of Long Island.
In porcupines, The first one killed in
Connecticut for more than half century.
was shot by q farmer in CRANKY last DC
tober. This was a large and superb spec
~ ha and f6..l
last one killed In this State before IT bit
the dust at Huntington in 1870. The Gran
by porcupine was freed by an old coon
dog, and, when wounded, fell TO the !
ground. The deg then attacked IT.. but
the porcupine transfxed the canine with
dozens OF its barbs before the former could
carry out an intention of breaking the
porcupine's back. When the porcupine's
back was finally broken the dog crept
to his masters feet 10 have the
porcupine quilts plucked from his face
shoulders The dog lived but few weeks
after this. the poison virus from the po--
cupine barbs causing him TO suffer pitiful-
ly and ultimately ending his days. The
porcupine was sent to Westfeld and
Springfield Mass. where Il was exhibited
for come time. II is stated that poreu-
pines have latterly become very numerous
in southern Vermont and New Hampshire.
so numerous, IN TACT. tnat tneN are RTedt
protection 10 the raccoons, as q coon hun
ter dare not use a dog in pursuit OF the
latter animals. for the reason that the
canine will very likely run on to porcu-
pines trail and follow il instead. The dog
Is sure 10 be done up as was the CRANKY |
dog. or else ruined for life.
And. speaking of coons, II is safe 10 say
that the crop of these fat, juicy, and cum
ming animals has not been larger all !
through the State than now, for years.
This pretty anima. is very easily domes
Heated and makes an attractive pet. but
one that is no respecter Of the rights of
property. John Maggie. of Dromika, has a
pair Of pet coons that are two years Old.
The coon suppers served at the famous old
hotels about Litchfield this season were
never given SO frequently. 1t is said, be-
fore The flavor OF a roasted coon. which
has been well parboiled before being put
into the oven, has been compared by lis
admirers 10 that of a canvas
back duck. Coons are fully as plenty in
The extreme eastern part of the State as in
Litchheld county. John Geer OF North
stonington. has a dog before which 49,
coons have been killed during the past
.wo years. Three coons Weighing ffty-one
pounds were captured near Washington one
night recently.