Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-20
Winter Trails in
North Woods
Continued from page 7

several minutes watched and waited my eyes
on the end of the trail. Then a savage gray
head up from behind laurel bush not
twenty yards away. shifting nervously in every
direction. The big brute uttered no sound; but
suddenly, as if he had howled warning every
wolf in the pack sprang into sight, shifting and
looking.
They saw me at last, standing silently against
the tree, or else the scent became stronger; for
they all whirled and loped easily away. |
glided after them the instant they disappeared
but when they found they were being followed
they tore away through the big woods, shoot
ing up the valley and over the next hill in great
bounds which told me plainly that l should
have to travel far and fast before | could catch
them asleep again.
A New Idea of Hunting
THIS experience put new idea of wolf hunt
ing into my head. and for two days
ranged the runways, looking for another fresh
kill. found it at midday, a buck killed by
an enormous dog wolf which had jumped the
deer on a ridge. caught him in a fair run.
thrown him from behind, and then broken his
back with one terrific snap. As the wolf ran he
probably gave the hunting call: for eight more
wolves raced up from the valley and were in at
the feast All this found out by running the
back trail short distance before beginning the
hunt; for to me it is far more interesting to
know how animal 1ives-what he eats and
where he drinks. how he hunts and covers his
trail, and what checks or hastens puzzles or
amuses him on his way-than it is to get his
life or his skin.
And it is perhaps the chief joy of the winter
woods that, whether you carry gun or not.
you can pick up the first trail you cross and
have good hunting, hunting that satisfies you
perfectly and brings you home at twilight with
full heart, whatever be the contents of your
gamebag.
These wolves were evidently travelling to a
new hunting ground,-for fortunately they are
OF rowing disposition, and never harry the
game long in one place,-and as | swung along
on the trail everything told me that there was
a long chase ahead. As | followed them mile
after mile, over ridge and valley and silent lake,
began to marvel at these cunning brutes, and
then to envy them their minute knowledge of
the country.
The general direction of the trail was north
west, and the wolves were evidently heading
for Kenneth Lake, where they laid up for the
day IN a sheltered spot overlooking wide
stretch of beautiful country. The lake was
hardly more than four miles away in straight
line: but the wolves travelled nearly twice that
distance to reach it. They chose always the
easiest travelling, crossing the ridges at exactly
the right points, and making use of every bea-
yer pond, every winding runway among the
hills, and every safe crossing of the rivers. As
found out when attempted short cut home,
the eight miles were much easier and somewhat
quicker than the four.
then one of the old wolves would leave the pack
to investigate swamp for hares, or densely
covered ridge for the deer yards. They cid no
hunting, though they put their noses into
scores of fresh game trails, and were evidently
looking over the ground IN order to know where
to hunt when next they passed that way and
were hungry.
| found the pack late in the afternoon, and
by careful striking got close enough for revolver
shooting. Hunting is not my speciality. and
ing story, but only to record that every day in
these still, white, beautiful big woods was filled
with incidents and experiences that must bring
long as 3 man remembers.
new. vigorous, and fascinating sport. where
failures are frequent and success is hardly won
may find it only days journey from their
doors. Those who are looking for other things,
for pleasant camps and good fishing in summer,
or for the more vigorous joys of the winter
trail, will find in the north woods exactly what
they are seeking.
An Ideal Outing
FAIRLY December, when the first big snow
- storms come and game is keenly afoot, is a
good time for your outing; but a better season
comes in March when the deep SHOWS have set
tied and crusted a little, making excellent
snowshoeing; when the sun is warming up and
the days lengthen, and the big trout. as if they
smelled the spring coming, move shoreward
from deep water. Most of us remember with
Joy our boyhood days, catching pickerel
through the ice, and it is still good fun for the
man Moreover. with a few red tagged tits