The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-16

Through the hot weather the mopse
stick close by the streams and ponds, and
are in the water good part OF the time
selves from the savage flies that swarm
about them, ,burrowing into the flesh ana
causing the animals great misery. When
the COWS go to the water they take great
pains to conceal their young to protect
them from the ferocity of the old bulls
who never lose an opportunity to destroy
the calves The only safe place in summer
for a calf moose is in the depths OF thicket
where the old bulls cannot penetrate.
In April the bulls's horn begin to sprout,
and by September they are out OF the velvet,
as hunters say-that is, the soft, moss-like
covering has dropped off. and the hard horn
is exposed. At this period the bulls have
become very fat, and also very ugly, and
will fight anything that walks.
few weeks of racing through the woods
looking for trouble makes them thin, for
they have a good many fights and eat very
little at this time. 1t Is now that the woods
begin to echo with the loud bellowings of
the bulls, and with the noise that is described
by hunters as chopping, produced by. the
animals bringing their jaws together in
spasmodic manner, with a sound like that
OF an axe driven into log.
The believing OF a good sized bull moose
can be distinctly heard on still night at
the COW moose which the hunters initiate
by use Of birch bark funnel or horn, Is
series Of cultural grunts, concluding with
prolonged roar-a very dismal sound.
which In calm weather can be heard as far
as the below OF the male.
The male moose requires but one call from
the COW to guide him to her whereabouts,
and will make bee line for the spot, some
times hours afterward, even though the call
is not repeated 1t is this peculiar instinct
that sometimes brings bull in front Of
party OF hunters in the morning after they
have called all night without response.
The bull will take his time.
The full Of the October moon is the best
time for moose calling and the best hour
is that Immediately succeeding sunset.
sunset. and late at night, even with a
bright moon, it may be too dark for a telling
shot when the game appears.
Calling 10 most successfully done from
canoe, drawn up under the shadow OF
the bank on lake or stream. Even when
the utmost precautions have been observed,
the hunter may call and call, all through
the night, and get no other response than
the echo OF his birchen horn; and that Is
most mournful sound in the woods at
When q moose responds he can be heard
crashing through the woods for half an
hour before he appears In the open or upon
the opposite shore. Then, II it Is light
enough to see him in plainly IL, = the time for
Indians are the best moose callers, it
being a talent born In them. They know
the habits and the peculiarities OF the moose,
and graduate the time and tone OF the cali
to suit the occasion. An old bull moose
is about the most knowing animal that
walks, and he will pay no attention to
The old bulls are also very savage in the
fall, and, as has been said, are always
ready to fight anything. 1t has occasionally
happened that two bulls have come together
in response to the same call, and, like rival
lovers. have fought a duel on the spot.
The flesh Of the bull moose is poor eating
and no one but a very hungry man would
care for it at this season, but the flesh Of
the COW Ia juicy and tender. A good many
moose are killed, not only in Canada but
in Maine, by poachers, who care only for
the hides, and 1t Is a wonder that the game
was not exterminated long ago.
In Canada, doubtless, the moose are saved
by going far to the north. beyond the range
OF the hunters, while In Maine the penalties
Of the law are sufficient to deter all except
the boldest poachers from killing out Of
season or more than the legal allowance
one bull, at least one year old. Any man
might like a hne moose, or pair Of antlegs,
but few men would like to pay fine OF from
$500 to 81, 900 for breaking the moose law,
much less to spend four months in jail,
In case he should not be able to ray the
fine.