MARKET TROPHY HUNTING.
In this country and day of conservation this would seem like a delicate
subject to attack. The hunter for the trophy market a few years back was
slaying elk, mountain sheep, moose, deer, or antelope indiscriminately.
[Illustration: DEER FOOT INK WELL AND PEN RACK.]
While modern game laws have changed or at least modified this I can see
no reason why a hunter who is entitled to a certain head of game per
season should not utilize them fully by preparation and sale to others
who have not similar opportunities.
[Illustration: MOUNTAIN LION OR PUMA HIDE.]
What would often be left in the woods as useless, as indeed it would be
for food purposes, is transformed into a beautiful and decorative
article of considerable commercial value. Often things being equal the
trophy hunter will avoid killing young and female game animals on
account of the worthlessness of their heads as trophy if not for any
ethical reason.
While the day of trophy hunting as a business in the United States is
past probably, by preserving such heads, horns, feet and skins as come
in his way the trapper, prospector and settler can often add
considerably to his income. For instance, from one to five deer may be
legally killed in different states. If two good heads are taken, worth
say $15.00 and $20.00 each when prepared, that sum would go far towards
paying the expenses of an enjoyable outing.
The fur trapper will frequently take some animal the skin of which may
for many reasons be of little value. The puma or mountain lion is such a
one, worth but $2.00 or $3.00 usually, the mounted head is a striking
wall ornament and the skin is suitable for couch or floor.
Though fur dealers will make some deduction from the regular prices on
skins from which the heads are removed, it is vastly more profitable to
retain them and preserve as trophies.
Horns and antlers and head skins or scalps of all our large game have a
certain value either separately or together. Mounted heads, damaged by
moth create a demand for extra scalps and separate antlers are often
called for. Extra large heads or antlers of freakish formation seem to
possess a special fascination for the public.
[Illustration: SPRING LAMB? COON HEAD.]
Commercial fishermen handling fish in large numbers would do well to
preserve at least a few of the more notable specimens of their catch.
In some localities there is every summer an opportunity to supply
"rusticators" with rattlesnake skins which may be prepared for wall
decorations or use as belts, hat bands, card-cases, and neck ties. They
should be packed in salt until tanned as drying out while in the raw
state is apt to spoil them. On account of the snake's habit of shedding
its skin at varying intervals, dressing snake skins is rather of the
nature of a lottery. The dressed skins should be made up with a backing
of some other leather as it is apt to possess but little strength of
itself.
In localities where the tarpon, tuna, muscallonge, and other large fish
are caught it is well to keep some good specimens on hand as such are
often in demand to substantiate a fish story.
In a word, gather and preserve some of the best objects of animated
nature your locality affords, whether fur, fin or feather.