Posted on 10/24/2011 5:27:55 PM PDT by SJackson
Fallen leaves are frost-covered at dawn these days, a sure sign deer season is just around the corner. In pioneer Wisconsin, hunting was both a sport and a necessity.
In 1840, the best hunter in Milwaukee was Dr. Erastus Wolcott (1804-1880), who had a peculiar method for bringing down game.
"The doctor owned at that time a very celebrated horse called Gunpowder," recalled an acquaintance. He was old, weak-kneed, and rickety, but "notwithstanding all these imperfections, he was the best hunter in the west and the doctor seldom or ever went out for deer without him.
"When a deer was once sighted and brought within range, Gunpowder would erect his head, upon the top of which the doctor would rest his rifle, the old veteran standing like a statue while the game was shot in this novel way from the saddle.
"The doctor would then dismount, fasten the deer to the old horse's tail with a rope or a strip of bark if no rope was at hand, after which he would remount and start for home. It was a common occurrence in the winter of 1838-39 to see him trotting up Wisconsin street in this manner, with a deer dragging behind him in the snow."
Wolcott went on to found the State Medical Society, serve as Wisconsin's surgeon general during the Civil War, advocate for veterans' hospitals, and become a regent of the University of Wisconsin. A statue of him astride his horse stands in Milwaukee's Lake Park.
Bet no other state has a statue of a deer hunting horse.
He’s my kind of guy.....dragging a deer up Main Street....
ping!
How long is a horse’s tail? They are not like dogs because equestriennes braid them and tie them up for horse shows. I should think that it would hurt the horse to have a deer tied on to his tail. Anybody know?
Are we to assume the horse was near deaf from all the gunshots around his head.
Nobody smaller than the Jolly Green Giant can regularly hurt a horse and have the horse accept that person as a rider.
Horses are far tougher than many think.
I can see tying a deer to a harness and poles that you drag behind (like the Indians did) but I cannot see tying the deer to the poor horse’s tail. I should think that the hair would all pull out, if nothing else. I just wonder what the under-structure of a horse’s tail is like? Is it short and stubby, or is it as long as my golden retriever’s tail which could be considered a weapon as he beats my legs with it.
Great. You found a picture. Beautiful statue. I’ll have to look for it the next time I’m down there.
Enjoyable post.
Horses have strong tails, but I can’t imagine tying a deer to one. It’s more likely he tied it to the saddles rear ring cleat, which made it look like it was attached to it’s tail. Then again, if the horse tolerated it’s head being used like a Howitzer Caisson, who knows? The vertebrae of a horse’s tail are large beginning from the rump, but taper off as they descend. Some, usually Drafts or Hackney cart ponies, have their tails docked to prevent it being caught up in their traces or for show, but it’s generally frowned upon. Usually the lower half of the length of the tail we see is only hair. Look at a picture of a Rhino’s or Hippo’s tail and the basic structure is the same as a horse’s, except for the hair.
Length of a horse’s tail? I doubt that it’s much more than a foot & a half (the bony structure), if that. No doubt some variation between individuals. Some horse’s tails were bobbed, just like dogs. I don’t know how much feeling they have & I certainly wouldn’t try to pull a lot of weight with one.
Climbing a steep incline, I know people get off & grab the horse’s tail to let the horse pull them along, but they are at least walking.
I've met many an ill-informed hunter that didn't know the their first thing about field-dressing. It is far easier to get the hide off while it is still warm - and easier to cut the musk glands off and keep any trace of fluid from them getting on the meat.
I've taught many how to take care of game they expect to eat - sure helps make it taste better...
You can certainly assume the horse was deaf - and the rider a complete ass.
Horses have strong tails, but I can’t imagine tying a deer to one. It’s more likely he tied it to the saddles rear ring cleat, which made it look like it was attached to it’s tail. Then again, if the horse tolerated it’s head being used like a Howitzer Caisson, who knows? The vertebrae of a horse’s tail are large beginning from the rump, but taper off as they descend. Some, usually Drafts or Hackney cart ponies, have their tails docked to prevent it being caught up in their traces or for show, but it’s generally frowned upon. Usually the lower half of the length of the tail we see is only hair. Look at a picture of a Rhino’s or Hippo’s tail and the basic structure is the same as a horse’s, except for the hair.
I can't imagine a horse standing still for a rifle shot on his head. At least not twice.
Put a metal pipe against your head and bang it- feel that vibration all the way into your skull? I would imagine gunshot could make you (or a horse) unconscious.
I dunno.. maybe i am wrong.
The horse is magnificent...I’m not sure it is Gunpowder....but the statue commemorates Wolcott as a Brig General in the Civil War.
Thank you all for confirming my suspicions. Bails, or cleats, on the saddle makes more sense. I just can’t imagine actually tying the deer to the tail. I should think that it would hurt the horse.
As I mentioned, I have a golden retriever who expresses himself endlessly with his tail. It doesn’t seem to matter to him how hard he whacks it on cupboards, legs, cars, walls, etc. But, should you catch his tail and try to stop it from wagging, he gets highly protective of that tail and lets you know right away that he doesn’t want you to pull it, or hold it still.
What did the Indians call that device they used to haul game and goods behind their horses? A tra...? You know, 2 poles tied together at the bottom and some straps to hold it on to the horse?
This story is interesting because it claimed that the horse would spot the deer before the man. My dog is like that too. He’ll spot a deer in the yard before I do. I’ve tried to train him not to chase the deer, and he’s pretty good about it most of the time.
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