HOW TO TRACK A MOOSE. 181 



the track of a moose ; before it lies down, or stops 

 to feed, it invariably doubles back on its own 

 tracks, after going for some distance against the 

 wind, so that anyone following would taint the 

 wind, and in all probability pass the animal's 

 hiding-place. Coming on the trail of a moose 

 that has not been disturbed, the hunter makes a 

 circuit, to cross the track some distance ahead : if 

 he has a keen eye, he readily detects the dots as 

 he crosses them at right-angles. If he does not 

 find the tracks, he concludes the moose has 

 doubled back ; by another circuit he returns to the 

 track, and works up cautiously against the wind, 

 until he discovers the hiding-place of the moose. 

 Great care, and long practice too, is needed to enable 

 a hunter to wind his way like a snake through 

 the bushes, without cracking the dead branches. 

 The flap of its great ear generally betrays the 

 moose; large as the animal is, a hunter's rxractised 

 eye can alone make it out when ensconced in 

 its lair. 



The top of the antlers and flapping of the ears 

 are usually the only guides to determine the 

 position of the body : the spot to aim at fixed on 

 in the hunter's mind, he fires into the bushes ; 

 then follows a crash, as the animal either falls, 

 mortally hit, or dashes away through the crackling 



