HUNTING IN PAR
By: R. A. Johnson.
Many of our most enjoyable sports are modified forms of ancient
practises. We have experienced a change in the expression of the public
demand, both in the nature of athletic games, and in the spirit of
hunters afield. The instinct to hunt wild game is one of the oldest of
the human race. An opportunity to satisfy it is an invigorating and
refreshing experience.
During the past few weeks, many of our guests have gone back to their
work with a greater resourcefullness and a new social invigoration,
because of their hunting experience while in the park.
Veritable records indicate that great numbers of birds have been
successfully taken during the present season. Even several 1/2pt-shots
of grouse, with their entire broods, have been taken, as well as bear,
deer, and numerous smaller game animals.
Such results are especially satisfying considering that nature of the
weapons used. No catch gives more lasting satisfaction and more true
joy than a good photograph of a truly wild creature.
On one occassion, a ranger played the part of William Tell while a
chipmunk was photographed perched upon his head. In another onstance a
blue grouse quietly faced a brigade of nature lovers armed with ten
kodaks. After the shooting match was over, the bird walked away quite
unconcerned.
THE PINE MARTEN or AMERICAN SABLE.
By: F. W. Schmoe
Dr. E.W. Nelson, Chief of the U.S. Biological Survey, and authority
on wild life, states in his story of the marten as published in the
National Geographic Magazine of May 1918: "Like other members of the
weasel family, the marten is a fierce and merciless creature of rapine,
but unlike the mink and weasel it avoids the abodes of man, and loves
the remotest depths of the wilderness."
After reading the above, which no doubt characterizes the marten over
much of its range, it is interesting to not certain rather contradictory
facts that apply to the marten of the park.
Several years ago the naturalist and Mrs. Schmoe spent the winter at
Paradise Inn, then covered with snow and little visited. Marten were in
the building practically every night and often seen. They were not
unusually shy. Often they are seen during the winter in broad daylight
about the buildings and it is possible to approach quite near to
them.
Early one spring a pair of marten made their home beneath the tent of
Mr. and Mrs. Post near Paradise Inn. In June when the young were half
grown they often entered the tent and soon became so friendly that they
would eat from Mrs. Post's hand.
Several times within the last few days girls living in the womans
dormatory of the hotel have asked me what is the little fox-like animal
they so often see as they go to work in the morning. Marten are living
in, or beneath, the building at present, with thousand of people all
about them.
They are beautiful animals with little of the fertive, snake-like
appearance of the weasel. The fur, a rich brown color is much sought
after by trappers because of its value. The full grown animal is
sometimes three feet in length but their weight is only about six
pounds. They are swift travelers through the tree tops, and often make
long flying leaps from limb to limb when in pursuit of squirrels or
other game. On the ground they travel quite as rapidly. I have
measured one leap, up hill from a standing start in the snow, of
slightly over fourteen feet.