The Stroller's weekly and Douglas Island news., 1922-04-01
GOAT HUNTING
 IS DIFFICULT
Effort to Transfer Mountain Deni- gems From Mainland to Islands
 Temporarily Fails

wlld-iiie society was ridlculod be- con- 10 proposed Co do what most of our Alaska hunters declared Co bc tho impossible. The Boone and Crockett Club of New York City dc- airlng to stock Admiralty island with mountain goats. offered. through E. p. Walker. chief fur warden Of tho Biological Survey, to pay flSO apiece for a minimum number Of five two malo8 and three fomaies-thcso animals to be placed on the island at some Isolated point where they might be allowed to increase un- molestod. Though handled through Che Biological Survey. Che society pays. from its own funds. for al goats captured.
 Most of Che oldumers laughed. They said that an adult goat couid not be captured alive and uniniurDdi that he could not be handled safely if captured Ca grown animal weighs between 300 and 900 poundsl, and that he would not live long enough in captivity to be transported any distance.
 Two men. however. thought that it might be done and that they could do it. Thomas Motuenen and Carl Kavander. in their G0-foo gasboafs, T-29O and 1-3O. loaded with ropes and certain equipment, together with provisions for two months, sailed for Che widest and least frequoniod place in an Southeastern Alaska - Che only place within a reasonable distance of Admiralty island where goats are sul plenuiul-aud in short time proved that it was not impossible after all True. they had some difficulty. but Wednesday morning thoy returned with live. hearty and very pugnacious billy in tho hold of one of their boats. They had proved to their own satisfaction and that of tho Boone and Crockett Club. chat Che desired number could bo obtained. not without some dif- Gculty and danger. however and that they could be kept alive in cape uvity for reasonable length of time. Both men expressed a decided respect for the mountain goats horns short but sharp as noedles-which they say their captive is only too oaror to use. He is now disarmed by having a short piece otalder wood lied across the tips. making it impos- sibie for Billy to cause any serious damage.
 Two other goats were caught but the contract entered into by tho hunters required that at least five of tbe animals be delivered at once. and these two died after being held in captivitv for several days. Ono com- mitted suicide. That sounds strange but botb men insist that it is a fact. Tho other died from a broken heart
 II was understood. before tho men would attempt to capture the ani- mals. that it was probable that one or two might be killed accidentally and that they would not be held re- epongIble for Killing Che goats ont of season. They have learned by eN- perionco how to avoid further loss. and next year arrangements will probably be made for tho delivery or fbe animals as soon as caught
 The latencss Of Che season has made it impracucable for the men lo attempt to catch any more this year, though they state that with Che eN- periencc they have had they can easily manage to catch the desired number next winter when the snow drives Che goats down Go Che beaches. Tho constant snow slides at th.s lime of Che year makes travel through Che mountains exceedingly dangerous: also. Che females cannot behandiod this late in Che spring with safety to themselves.
 On being informed of Che capture of fbis one goat. E p. Walker 1t once wired Go Che Boone and Crock .t Club. requesting information as .o wbat thoy wished done with it. As beforo stated. Che contract explicitly reouires that no less than five won q bo accoptod. The society answered That the goats would be accepted ls soon as delivered. regardless ot t'e pumbor. and instructed Mir. Walker to turn tho first one loose on t.e iriand at onco. The hunters le.t Thursday for Admiralty island ard win free Che goat at some Isolated point
 The Boone and Crockett Club Inns for its members many Of Che foremost sportsmen and scientist Of thc United states It's object is to protect game animals as far as it is i'm tho power of the society to do SO. This is tic 6rst venture of Che society in Alai- ka and they deserve the hearty co- oporauon of an tho citizens of tlo territory. On Admiralty island tfe goats win not have to contend with oDv of their natural enemies except the eagle and should. therefore. in- crease rapidly and soon become a roal commercial asset of this vicinity because of Che sportsmen it will bring to us: also. in time. they will give our local sportsmon another mecies of game to hunt on Che ial- and besides the deer and brown bear 
 VERDICT FOR PLAINTIFF