The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-10-25
MOOSE HUNTING
Season On For the Biggest Game in
America.

America.
Bangor, Me-, Oct 24.-Maine's
moose hunting season began on Oct.
Is, and already the first specimens
have reached Bangor. The earliest
arrival was an SO0-pound bull, shot
near Macwahoc, by II. w. Potter OF
this city. Reports as to the number
and conditions of the game are con
tlicting, but there is reason to be-
lieye the moose are more numerous
than for some years Not many have
been killed in recent seasons, as the
law limits the killing to bulls, at
least one year old. Cow moose or
calves are not to be killed at any
season, under severe penalties. The
open season is from Oct Is to Dec.
|, and any resident is free to get one
bull moose Non-residents must pay
a license fee of SIS, but they may
kill two deer.
Most of Names moose are in the
far northern forests. along the head
waters of the Penobscot, along the
Allagash and upper ST. John Rivers,
and in the region around Moosehead
Lake, although many are found in
the neighborhood of the Rangeley
lakes in Western Maine, and in Wash
ington County. in the southeastern
part of the State. From the northern
and eastern hunting regions there
have been brought to Bangor in the
last ten years about 2,10O moose,
ranging in weight from 800 to LOO
pounds, the weight In recent years
seldom exceeding 500 pounds. The
bull moose looks much heavier than
he really is, and from that circum-
stance arises the common exaggera-
ton OF his weight, but there is no
exaggeration of his ugly temper. He
is dangerous at any time, especially
in the mating season.
There is a thrill In hunting the
moose that does not come to the
sportsman in pursuit Of any other
big game In Maine, unless fight at
close quarters with a black bear be
excepted. A good-sized bull moose,
standing higher than an ordinary
horse, with massive forequarters,
hrlstly name and huge head adorned
with heavy alters, presents a spec
tacle that well might shake the
nerves.
The antlers OF a well-grown bull
weigh sixty to seventy pounds. With
great, spreading blades and wide
palms, their serrated edges number
ten to twenty points on a side. A
head is valued for its antlers. but a
good bell" adds much to It's appear
ance. The bell" is a tuft Of gristle
and hair which hangs from the under
side OF the neck, reaching in some
cases down to the brisket.
In April the calves are born in the
dark thickets, where they remain I'M
an they are able to scamper around.
When the flies appear the COW takes
her calf to the water. where lily
pads are plentiful and where there
is refuge from the flies. All summer
long the moose remain by the lakes
and ponds. feeding on lily pads and
stalks and wading in the cool water
To get food the moose shoves his
great head down under water ana,
with his sensitive muzzle, feels
around in the mud for the stalks.
Then he rises to his feet, with his
muzzle covered with mud, and
throws the water in every direction
as he shakes himself. like a dog, or
lots the water drip over his back to
drive away the flies.
When feeding in this way the
moose may be approached within a
short distance. Canoeing parties
during the summer have taken many
pictures OF giant bull moose with
COWS and calves