The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-23
MOOSE ANTLERS SCARCE.
Few Old Bulls Seen in the Maine Woods
Nowadays Deer Far Back I'm the Woods.

NoBCRoss, Me-, Sept. 22.-The licensed
guides and owners Of sporting camps in
the Maine woods believe the outlook for
a plentiful supply Of big game when the open
season begins on October 1 Is very good.
1t Is conceded that the number OF deer
In the Maine woods has diminished under
the heavy shooting which has been prac-
tised for the last " years, though there
are still enough OF them to furnish good
sport to the visitors and to supply all
hunters with their legal allowance Of two
deer in the season. Owing 20 the great
slaughter OF last year the deer are more
shy thar ever before and have moved back
from the railroads and routes 81 travel 40
the hunters will have to 60 further into
the woods and spend more time in securing
what they want.
Though the game commissioners have
spent $4,000 more than the average In
hiring wardens TO protect the game, n
though last winter was very mild and favor
able, there are few deer In the woods south
OF Mount Katahdin. Farmers who have
complained about deer eating their oats
and other growing crops during close time
in former years have presented few bills
for the State to pay the past summer which
indicates that the deer have moved IN
beyond the areas OF plouGhed ground.
Back in the woods, and at the headwaters
OF remote streams, there are deer TO be
had for the hunting.
In spite OF rigid protection under heavy
the woods OF Maine. The big animals
should be out and roaming through the
hard wood timberlands as early as August
20, by which lime the annoying files have
disappeared, but woodsmen and prospec-
tors who have been cruising for more than
two weeks have not reported any as yet.
Every indication goes TO show that the
gigantic old moose, which we're abundant
In Maine ten years ago, and which were
sought diligently on account OF their huge
a~ntlers, have ceased TO exist in the State.
Those which remain are Of the younger
brood, three and four yearsof age, and while
they furnish sweet and tender steaks their
antlers are small and Of no value
For more h two years the hunters
and naturalists who have sought antlers
with a wide spread have abandoned the
hunting grounds OF Maine and New Bruins
wick and gone to Alaska.
There are hundreds, perhaps thousands,
Of healthy young bull moose along The banks
Of Allagash stream, though the region
II 20 remote from car lines, and the journey
by canoe demands 30 much time that few
ordinary hunters care To make the outlay.
The time when q New York hunter could
cave for Maine on Sunday night and re-
turn from Maine in a week bearing a moose
Of his own shooting has gone by.
Except In remote woods partrid gos are
scarce and shy, though they are reported
a. plentiful as they were last year. Bears
continue TO surprise and madden remote
farmers by coming out and stealing pigs
from fenced enclosures, and staying sheep
in pastures and by stealing apples from
orchards close To dwelling houses.
Though the value OF a bears pelt has
doubled since the birth Of the new century,
Bruin still risks his coat and his life
with a. much abandon a. he did formerly.
No caribou or caribou tracks have been
seen in Maine for more than seven years.
Il may be that these animals will never
return unless they are introduced from
Canada by some wealthy game associa-
ton. The long close time on caribou
siI years ago came too late 70 do any DO0d.