Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1892 — DEER CAPTURED BY TRICKS. [ARTICLE]

DEER CAPTURED BY TRICKS.

How South American Indians Lay In a Supply of Venison. The manner in which the South American Indians hunt deer in the Cordilleras is very interesting and somewhat ingenious. They Arst ascertain the lofcdity in which the animals congregate to graze, and then the men, women and children of the tribe make extensive preparations to hem in the herd. In order to cause a stampede they blow horns, yell and make other bewildering and outlandish noises. Asa natural consequence the frightened deer quit their grazing places. They form in line in regular marching order, the elder males leading the way, followed by the females atd young, while the rear of the column is brought up by the young bucks, who act as protectors to the centers. The Indians now close in upon them, seeing which the animals prepare to do battle for their lives. The hunters then proceed to prepare the instruments of destruction, consisting of large lances, resinous torches and nooses Axed to long poles. The worst enemy of the deer is the jaguar and wildcat, and their animosity to them is such that they have been known to leap over a hunter in order to attack either of these feline foes. The Indians, knowing this, employ it to great advantage during these hunts. The* women stuff a number of jaguar and cat skins, which are placed in prominent positions on the edges of precipices, in full view of the deer. Immediately the bucks make a violent effort to get at them, in order to hurl them into the abyss beneath, but are thus treated themselves by the wily hun-| ters, who push them over the cliff, : where they are quickly hamstrung or otherwise disabled by the women, who are stationed below. After the Arst onslaught on the stuffed Agures, the remaining deer seem to recognize the fact that they have been tricked, and huddle together, awaiting another attack.

Then the Indians throw lighted tbrclres among them and a panic ensues. They make desperate efforts to escape, but the relentless hunters drive them over the crags until they see that a sufficient number have been captured—usually four or Ave hundred. They do not usually harm the females and fawns and also allow a few bucks to escape. Very seldom is a doe killed, and if a doe fawn is captured it is immediately liberated. The flesh is eaten by the Indians and also carried to the villages to be sold.