The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1921-01-21
LATfER-DAY
BISON HUNT
WILD BUFFALO WHICH OCCUPY
lsLANDsiN GREAT SALT LAKE
ARE BEING KILLED.

gone from Salt Lake two and one
half days.
This is the successful end of the
first trip to conquer the 230 head of
buffalo that range the rocky island.
Another party is planned. according
to Paul Swayne, who is in charge OF
the hunters in the field, but has not
been completed. Unless resolution
which passed the lower house of the
Ctan legislature yesterday takes i'm
mediate form, the famous herd of
historic bison will be ultimately ex-
termisated
me flve hunters brought back with
them tales of the huge beasts
strength and stubborness in yielding
10 the bullets which pierced through
their vitals as the ambushed hunters
opened fire upon them. The average
weight of the bulls was 1900 pounds
on the hoof. The hides and heads of
all five will be taken to Ogden by the
owners, as will the carcasses of all
but one. which will be sold in Salt
Lake.
" First Herd Escapes.
Danger, too, apparently is present
creatures of the western plains. The
first herd that the hunters met was
warned by the accidental discharge
Of a weapon. and sought safety in
Rcky recesses at a speed that would
put to shame the efforts of gazelle.
The second herd of FIVE bulls was
encountered three-quarters a mile
further on and more than three
miles beyond the ranch house on the
westedn side fthe island
Four OF the stocky animals fell
dead within radius of seventy-five
feet of each other after running 800
yards. The fifth ran fully 200
, ards before plunging forWard, its
body pierced by Ave bullets, any one
of which would have proved fatal in
time.
The actual killing took place at
10:30 o'clock Thursday morning. two
days actual time after the party had
left Salt Lake. The return trip was
made to Salt Lake yesterday. 1t was
necessary to make two trips between
uthe island and Saltair before the
cargo of hunters. buffalo meat, hides
and heads was deposited on the
mainland ready to board a special
train to the city. i
Included in the party were o. Bun
dy. ID. NJ. Fox. A. M.Tribe and J. s.
Daniels of Ogden, and B. T. Harris.
managed OF Antelope island. and
Paul Swayne. big game hunter and
horseman of Mackay. Idaho.
Hunter Describes Trip.
Much has been written and more
has been said about the hunting and
killing of the buffalo on Antelope is
land BY scribes and others" said Mr..
Swayne, "5gt | doubt il any of these
Nave ever be. neared to wild
buffalo than "a mile. therefore they
can not know anything about these
animals or what they viii do
Should anyone really care to find
out will make it a point to take
him to the island. and. if he is game
yRough to let me take him within
100 yards of some of the buffalo now
on the island and set him afoot in
tht plain sight of them unarmed. I
will pay all his expenses and help
to bring in what is left of him be-
sides.
1.-THE actual hunt Of these animals |
is far from what most people have
any idea of. and II may interest the
general public to learn how these |
animals are hunted and killed.
"Five Of us started early January |
II from the island ranch horseback.
The gums used were two 1890 cali
bers. one .32 special. one 80 U. s.
Wincheter and one .35 Remington.
cun Accidentally Discharged
After about one hours ride we
sighted buffalo. Tying our horses |
we took advantage of the rocky |
country 10 stalk them. We got !
within about 100 yards when one Of |
our party had the misfortune TO ac-
cidentally discharge his rifle.
Like a fash the bunch. some |
thirty head. were on the jump. and |
there is not a horse on Antelope is
land could have kept pace with |
them in the rough country through +
which they ran.
e"Our chances to follow them up
with success were about one out OF
fifty. We returned TO our horses, /
got on and rode for. the north end OF
the island. when. AFTER about three
fourths of mile, We again sighted +
buffalo.
This time we were more careful.
and looking them over through the
glasses found FIVE big bulls togeth-
er. no others being near.
"They were about 300 yards away.
and il was decided to get in closer
Ha 3poid the escape of any OF them I
wounded BY careful work we got
within about seventy yards. Each
man had his buffalo picked and shot
as soon as the signal was given.
Difficult to Kill.
zone. only, after hit OF at least
fol vital shots. went to his knees
The other four. though hit again and
again. ran fully 500 yards before
their enormous vitality nnaliy gave
out and gave Us a chance 10 hnisn
them close in. | may say that one
OF these animals stood up, shot
through the heart and lungs four