Prospect of Game

From Station Camp

At night, the party were consulted by the Commanding Officers, as to the place most proper for winter quarters; and the most of them were of opinion, that it would be best, in the first place, to go over to the south side of the river, and ascertain whether good hunting ground could be found there. Should that be the case, it would be more eligible place than higher up the river, on account of getting salt, as that is a very scarce article with us. (Gass, from Moulton, V. 10, 177)

-Patrick Gass, November 24th, 1805

Ken Furrow

...as a convenient Situation to precure the Wild animals of the forest which must be our dependance for Subsisting this Winter, we have every reason to believe that the nativs have not provisions Suffient for our Consumption, and if they had, their price’s are So high that it would take ten times as much to purchase their roots & Dried fish as we have in our possesion, encluding our Small remains of merchindz and Clothes. This Certinly enduces every individual of the party to make diligient enquiries of the nativs the part of the Countrey in which the wild Animals are most plenty. They generaly agree that the most Elk is on the opposit Shore, and that the greatest numbers of Deer is up the river at Some distance above— The Elk being an animal much larger than Deer, easier to kiled better meat (in the winter when pore) and Skins better for the Clothes of our party: (Clark, from Moulton V.6, 85)

-William Clark, November 24th, 1806

Exploring South of the River

…here we expect to meet with the Clât-sop Indians, who have tantalized us with there being much game in their neighbourhood. this information in fact was the cause of my present resurch, for where there is most game is for us the most eliguble winter station. (Clark, from Moulton V.6, 95-6)

-William Clark, November 30th, 1805

…Capt Lewis’s long delay below has been the cause of no little uneasiness on my part for him, a 1000 conjectures has crouded into my mind respecting his probable Situation & Safty--. Rained hard. Capt Lewis returned having found a good Situation and Elk Suffient to winter on, his party killed 6 Elk & 5 Deer in their absence in Serch of a Situation and game. (Clark, from Moulton V.6, 108)

-William Clark, December 5th, 1805

…receved 2 Small Brooks on the East, extencive marshes at this place of Encampment We propose to build & pass the winter, The situation is in the Center of as we conceve a hunting Countrey… (Clark, from Moulton V.6, 112)

-William Clark, December 7th, 1805

...this was all verry Satisfactory information to all the party. we accordingly deturmined to proceed on to the Situation which Capt. Lewis had Viewed as Soon as the wind and weather Should permit and Comence building huts. (Clark, from Moulton V.6, 108-9)

-William Clark, December 5th, 1805

Related pages:

Near the Falls  |  Prospect of Game | Making Salt | Weather  | Hope of Seeing Ships