|
THE SQUIRREL-THE FOX-RABBIT HUNTING
SQUIRRELS in the early days were very
numerous. Of late years, however, their
numbers have diminished considerably. There were
about five varieties common to this section of
the country, viz., the black, grey, red, flying,
and ground squirrel, or chipmunk. The red and
chipmunk are about the only two varieties that are at
all common now in the older settled parts. The black
squirrel, which at one time was so plentiful, is very
rarely seen now, excepting in the newly settled districts.
They were very fond of grain, and could often be seen
in large numbers in the wheat fields when the wheat
was ripening. They would bite off the head of the
'grain stalk and carry it away to their nests. Being
large, they were much sought after by the hunter for
their fur and their flesh, which latter, when cooked, is
said to taste very much like that of a chicken. This
fact, no doubt, had a great deal to do with their rapid
extermination. The flying squirrel was never very
common, and it is only a few of the older people who remember seeing one
in the wild state. Squirrels live in holes in the hollow trees, with the
exception of the ground squirrel, which lives in holes in the fallen trees
or logs, and the ground. They live principally on nuts and grain, of which
they lay away great stores in their snugly-constructed homes, for
supplying them with food during the long winter months. It was one of the
amusements of the boys to chase the squirrels with sticks along the old
rail fences. This meant death to the squirrel in most cases. When killed
their tails were often placed in the boys' hats as trophies. If the boys
saw a chipmunk running up a tree they would hammer on the trunk of the
tree with a stick. This would bring Mr. Chipmunk down to the ground, where
he was the more easily despatched.
For years back it has been the custom on Thanksgiving
Day in November, in many of the country towns and villages, for the young
men who practised gunning to choose sides and spend the day in hunting for
game, the side bringing in the greater number of rabbits, birds' heads,
squirrels' tails, etc., being free guests at the supper held in the
evening and paid for by the losing side. Unknown to the others, some of
the unprincipled young men would go out hunting days beforehand, thus
stealing a march upon and meanly cheating their opponents. Of course, this
was not fair sport, and the guilty parties, when found out, were generally
frowned down upon and their company avoided and dispensed with in future
matches of any kind.
The Fox.
In some localities where there was considerable bush
foxes were very plentiful. Their short, sharp bark, which resembled that
of a dog, only sharper and not quite so loud, could be heard at night when
they came out of their holes in search of food. They lived in holes they
burrowed in the sand or loose soil, mostly on the side of a hill, near the
woods.
A great deal has been said about the cunning of the
fox, but it is only necessary to know of their habits to be convinced of
the truth of the saying, for truly there is no animal more wily or crafty
than he. Their fur is valuable if obtained at the right time of the
year—any time from September to April—months with the letter r in the
name. At any other time the fur is loose and poor in color. These animals
are frequently poisoned, but great pains have to be taken in setting the
bait. It must not come in contact with the hand, or Reynard will not touch
it. Usually a hole is made in a piece of lard, strychnine is placed in
this hole, after which it is plugged up. The lump of lard is then carried
on the end of a stick to a place frequented by the fox. Strychnine is also
placed in a piece of meat, with the same precautions. It is almost
impossible to catch foxes in a trap, but they are frequently shot. It is
necessary when hunting them to take along a foxhound, or some other dog
trained for the work, as no other will answer. The best time to start out
is early in the morning, when their tracks are fresh in the snow, as the
hound can only scent a fresh track. As soon as the hound strikes a track
he begins to howl, and keeps this up all the time as he follows the track,
only howling the louder as he gets nearer the fox. The fox is a fleeter
animal than the dog, who only helps to keep the hunter on the track. He
will not take to his hole when being hunted unless he becomes very tired,
but will keep up the chase for a whole day. When followed he runs round in
a circle over his own tracks, unless he sees the hunter, and then he will
strike out in a new direction. When possible, he will jump from the snow
on to a piece of ground, so as to put the dog off his scent, as the scent
is not so good on the ground, but he will not take to water. You cannot
drown or smoke him out of his hole, as he will die first. But sometimes,
when digging him out, smoke is blown in to find the other holes (he
generally has two or more), and thus prevent his escape.
He lives on birds, rabbits, etc., and has been known to
tackle lambs a couple of months old. In the early days he frequently
attacked the hen roosts, so that it was necessary to pen up the fowl at
night, so as to keep them from the depredations of Reynard. He would catch
a goose by the neck, give it a sudden jerk to break it, throw the goose
over his shoulder, and then away as fast as possible to his den.
NOTE.—Since the bush has become small the foxes have
disappeared.
Rabbit Hunting.
Rabbits were more plentiful years ago than they are
now. There were a number of varieties, viz., the gray, brown, black, and
jack rabbit, but the kind that was the most common was the little gray or
cotton tail. They live chiefly in the swamps, in holes or burrows in the
ground, and subsist on cedar boughs, herbs, roots, clover, grain, etc.
Their flesh is good to eat. Excellent for eating is a rabbit stew, being a
dish fit for an epicure when properly cooked. They are frequently caught
for their flesh, as well as for their fur and skin, which is made by
tanners into leather for gloves.
The fox-hound was often used for hunting them, their
tracks being easily discovered in the fresh snow. They were sometimes
caught by the figure 4 trap, but more commonly by snares. The snares used
for this purpose were made of brass wire. It is fastened to a tree, a loop
or noose being made and set across their runways. When the rabbit runs
through this noose it tightens around his neck and chokes him.
|
