The Delta independent., 1909-10-15
The Deer Hunters.

the small number of deer seen or taken
by hunters in the field.
At the close of the season Denver
newspapers announced the number of
deer killed in this season as 500,
against 2, 500 last season.
Certain it is that few deer were seen
by those seeking venison. This was
attributed to different reasons by the
hunters.
In the Tabeguache country south
west of Delta, one of the largest and
best deer sections of the state, but
Just few were taken by the numerous
hunting parties out. Where deer were
plentiful last fall, hardly track could
be found. The deep snow and long.
hard winter may have had more or less
to do with it. Some hunters attribute
their absence to the fact that gangs of
hounds are located one or two places,
used presumably to hunt bear with.
but which spend more or less of their
time chasing deer, and, to escape the
annoyance the bucks have retired to
In hunting on foot and on horseback
over a large section around Tabeguacte e
basin. the writer and party saw but
two does in a weeks hunt. So they
came back without venison.
In a more detailed description of the
hunt, we must acknowledge the un-
stinted hospitality of Mr.. Ed Haley,
one of our prominent cattle men. at
whose ranch we camped and whose
jovial company we enjoyed, making the
of the hunt seem like
merest trifies. Mr.. Haley insisted that
we kill a calf and bring it in, but we
wanted something with horns, so de-
clined his generous offer.
George Young, of our party, knows
the country hunted thoroughly and has
never before failed to get deer there.
He was perhaps the most disappointed
and surprised hunter of the bunch. We
were not without venison in camp, how
ever, AS Forester Billy Stell had got
buck and generously supplied US with
camp meat that was fat, juicy and,
tender May his shadow never grow
less. l. M. Conklin, Walter Wagner
and Albert Salisbury did their full part
to make the hunt a success.
OF other parties going up that way
from Delta, the Sanders boys were the
most successful, they returning home
with three bucks
The Watts and Doughty party came
home deerless, as did also Seaton and
Dale. Mr.. Dale reports getting lost
from camp, being compelled to stay out
into the night and having the moon
shifted on him three times. He met a
rider who informed him that his camp
was Just under the moon " He was
asked about deer and informed his in
formant that there were plenty of deer.
When asked where. he replied, about
four miles west of the moon" Thad
Seaton emptied his Winchester at
buck but the deer didn't seem to mind
it.
The deer problem this fall seems to
be serious one. There are deer left,
but in what quantity none seem to be
able to tell TIE indiscriminate shoot
ing of does and fawns last fall did much
to lessen the number and the few killed
this fall is rather a consolation than
otherwise. 1t looks, however, that
closed period of five years might be-
come necessary in order that the sup
ply may replenish.
Reports from high range and deep
snow sections last winter 60 to show
that many deer were caught high up in
the early deep snowfall and remained
there to perish. UP the Gunnison a
single band of II elk which were being
by wardens, were covered by
the October snow and the wardens
were unable to get them out. 1t is
claimed that but one survived the win
ter and that sixteen carcasses were
found in the spring to prove the story.
1t is quite possible that the shortened
season this year had much to do with
the small number of deer captured. The
too, was unfavorable, of the
class when the game stays in hiding
during the entire day and feeding
the moon-lit nights. 1t is fair
to say also, that less than one-half as
many hunters were out as during the
longer and more favorable season of
last year. when almost any hunter could
count upon getting doe or n fawn.
From the ravages of that season and
the hard winter following, it will take
at least number of years of careful
protection to recover the percentage of
this noble game.
III. ~ M H..