04 Moose Deer, — Alces Americana* 



neglect food at this time. At this period the loud bellow of the male is 

 frequently heard and distinguished by the watchful hunter at the distance of 

 two or three miles, in the stillness of night. The males also make another 

 noise, v/hich, from its peculiac sound, the hunters call chopping ; it is pro- 

 duced by forcibly bringing together and separating thejaws in a peculiar and 

 singular manner, and (as its name implies) resembles the sound of an axe, 

 used at a great distance. They also emit a variety of strange sounds and 

 cries. "When they return to the water they spend a great deal of time in it 

 for a week or two, but afterwards they gradually shorten their visits, until 

 the sh«irp frosts set in. Still, they occasionally come into it, till ice forms 

 an inch thick during the night. Then thev leave and return to the moun- 

 tains, where they select their fall and winter haunts, roaming about and sub- 

 sisting on the bark of small trees, which they peel or gnaw off, and the twigs 

 of the fir tree and other woods. When the deep snows fall, they select a spot 

 well adapted to their wantg, and commence to browse and peel more closely. 

 This is called * yarding,' and as the snow deepens and crusts form on its 

 surface, they peel and break down bushes and browse closely, in preference 

 to wallowing through the snow in search of choicer food. A ' moose yard' 

 frequently occupies about one hundred acres, more or less, but the latter few 

 weeks of the season is frequently spent on an area of ten acres, or less. The 

 old males and females never ' yard' together, but sometimes the young ani- 

 mals are found occupying the same ' yard.' Still they are seldom found in 

 close company. The females and their calves frequently yard together, the 

 calves remaining with the mother one vear. The oldest males invariablv 

 yard alone, choosing some lonely knoll or mountain peak, where they reside 

 in utter solitude. Indeed, as age increases, the moose becomes more solitary 

 in his habits, avoiding the common resorts of other moose, and frequenting 

 some lone little pond or stream. The moose of two and three years old, also, 

 often yards alone, but the males between the ages of three and ten years are 

 very gregarious. I have known as many as nine in one yard. When hunted 

 at this tune (deep snow,) they go off in Indian file, each moose stepping 

 accurately in the foot-prints of its predecessor, so that any but an experi- 

 enced hunter would scarcely suppose that more than one moose had passed, 

 when perhaps sis or seven had gone in reality. Still, when they are closely 

 pursued, and the one that is first becomes tired, (in consequence of having to 

 break the way through the snow,) that one turns out a very little, and (tlie 

 rest having past him) bring up the rear. So they change in rotation, the 

 males showing the most chivalrous spirit in aiding the females or the weaker 

 ones. Sometimes, too, they break their order of going in awkwardly pass- 

 ing a tree, when hard pressed, some going on each side, but instantly falling 

 into line again when the obstacle is passed. At this season the ' spikehorn,^ 

 or tvv'o year old male, is noted as affording the longest and most difficult 

 chase, and the oldest male for making the most gallant fight. In fact, tliey 

 often refuse to run at all. 



" A ' moose-yard' presents a strange sight to those not familiar with it, 

 with ita broken bushes and peeled tre<3S ; for sometimes, when the snow is . 



