The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1902-11-14
The Hunting Season.

The following from the Ishpeming.
(Mich.,) Iron Ore anent the opening of
the hunting season strikes the nail
fairly on the head and the words OF
advice are appropriate in all cases;
therefore we reproduce them:
To-day the open season for the kill
ing Of deer begins. The woods are
full of hunters resident of our own state
who enjoy the privilege of the chase
for the modest sum of seventy-five
cents. A few gentlemen who are true
sportsmen came from other states.
They pay twenty-five dollars each to
hunt the noble game. In all this great
army that has secured guns and taken
to the woods are many novices who
have yet to kill their first deer. That
many of these will be stricken with
"buck ague" in case a deer is sighted
is foregone conclusion. Many misses
will be recorded in the minds of the
nimrods if not officially announced.
1t is hoped that the percentage of men
shot will be less than usual. For the
past few years it has been very high.
Fatalities have been many, and of the
saddest character. Somewhere are I'M
easy minds. Many have killed without
making confession, leaving their vic
Tins to die alone in the dark woods.
1t is bad enough to do the killing by
mistake, while it is horrible to pur-
posely turn from a fellow being shot
to death. Immediate attention might
have saved few of those who have
been slaughtered. We hope the hunter
will see clearly what he is firing at be-
fore he pulls the trigger of his gun.
'Twere better to let all the deer in the
life. The law does not punish for such
carelessness, and it would not save the
life Of the fired at no matter how many
measures Of punishments were passed.
The killing is done under nervous ex-
element. Men lose control of their
senses, their only thought being that
the game may escape them if they do
not fire quickly. Men of such temper
ament should keep out of the woods,
or else be accompanied by some one
who can direct their actions. The law
offers no protection against the lack
of brains or nerve. 1t seems the reck-
less shooting habit must be cured
through education. 1t might be well 10
have another department in the schools
on the use and abuse of firearms.
Camping parties should have rules laid
down for the protection of their mem
bers. Cartridges should be taken from
barrel and magazine before camp is
entered and not replaced until the par
ty has again entered the hunting
ground. Care should be taken not to
shoot towards highways travelled by
others. The shooting at objects with
a rifle on a lake is dangerous, bullets
glancing from the water and flying to
the opposite shore. Above all else there
should be no firing at indistinct OBJ
jects. Early morning and evening light
distorts, and vivid imaginations pic
ture deer on every side. Be sure of
what you are firing at. Take no chances.
Look beyond the object you know to
be a deer. Don't add murder to your
outing. The vacation in the woods will
do you good even if you kill no deer
and it will not help you should you kill
your neighbor. Take plenty of time
and never shoot at shadows or noises.
Keep hold of your nerves and caution
every hunter you meet to be careful.
Let us try to educate the young hun
tiers to proper methods. You cannot
legislate to stop the evil unless you pro
hibit the killing of deer and carrying
of guns. A few fools we can neve
supply with brains, but continued eau
tionings will do much good