Buffalo Land: Authentic Account of the Discoveries, Adventures, and Mishaps of a Scientific and Sporting Party in the Wild WestWebb, W. E. (William Edward)
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Buffalo Land: Authentic Account of the Discoveries, Adventures, and Mishaps of a Scientific and Sporting Party in the Wild West
Webb, W. E. (William Edward)
Hunting -- West (U.S.); Paleontology -- Kansas; West (U.S.) -- Description and travel
When a herd of buffalo is discovered, the direction of the wind should
be carefully ascertained. The taint of the hunter is detected at a long
distance, and the bison accepts the evidence of his nose more readily
than even that of his eyes. This delicacy of smell, however, is becoming
either more blunted or less heeded than formerly, owing probably to the
passage over the plains of the crowded passenger cars, which keep the
air constantly impregnated for long distances.
Having satisfied himself in regard to the wind, the sportsman should
take advantage of the ravines and slight depressions, which every-where
abound on the plains, and approach as near the herd as possible. If
mounted, let him gain every obtainable inch before making the charge. It
is an egregious blunder to go dashing over the prairie for half a mile
or so, in full view of the game, and thus give it the advantage of a
long start. When this is done, unless your animal is a superior one, he
will be winded and left behind.
In most cases, careful planning will place one within a couple of
hundred yards of the bison. Be sure that every weapon is ready for the
hand, and then charge. Put your horse to full speed as soon as
practicable. Place him beside the buffalo, and he can easily keep there;
whereas, if you nurse his pace at the first, and make it a stern chase,
both your animal and yourself, should you have the rare luck of catching
up at all, will be jaded completely before doing so. In shooting from
the saddle, be very careful between shots, and keep the muzzle of the
weapon in some other direction than your horse or your feet. A sudden
jolt, or a nervous finger, often causes a premature discharge. In taking
aim, draw your bead well forward on the buffalo--if possible, a little
behind the fore-shoulder. The vital organs being situated there, a
ranging shot will hit some of them, on one side or the other. Back of
the ribs, the buffalo will receive a dozen balls without being checked.
A discharge of bullets into the hind-quarters, is worse than useless.
While trying in the most enjoyable and practical manner to kill the
game, it is very necessary to escape, if possible, any injury to
yourself or horse. The Frenchman's remark on tiger hunting is very
apropos. "Ven ze Frenchman hunt ze tiger, it fine sport; but ven ze
tiger hunt ze Frenchman, it is not so." Care should be taken to have the
horse perfectly under control, when the bison stands at bay. Unless
experienced in bull fighting, he does not appreciate the danger, and a
sudden charge has often resulted in disembowelment.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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