THE SPORTSMAN'S POINT OF VIEW 109 



Further on in the same book (" Hunting Trips in North 

 America") he says, "As my experiences of the previous day 

 had thoroughly disgusted me, I told my guide that he must 

 take me for a long day's walk through the country, as I would 

 not again sit on a ' lead ' and wait for Caribou to come to 

 me. He acknowledged that it was a poor form of sport, 

 but said that at this time of year it paid better than walking 

 and looking for Caribou, as the animals were all travelling, 

 and so seldom gave an opportunity for a stalk," etc. This 

 is true enough. During the migration the guides are 

 thoroughly averse to any unnecessary walking being done, 

 not only because the chance of getting good shooting is 

 lessened for the man who does the walking, but because the 

 crossing and re-crossing of the leads puts the animals on the 

 alert. They know that their enemy, man, is about, and 

 they proceed with extra caution, or even turn back to await 

 a more propitious time. All of which upsets the plans of 

 other hunters who have taken up their positions on good 

 leads. I remember hearing a guide describe a sportsman 

 who had refused to sit still and wait for the animals to come. 

 He insisted on keeping on the tramp all day long, and as 

 the guide remarked with bitterness, " he spoiled all the 

 best leads for many miles." This shows that if a man 

 wants to hunt during the migration, he can only retain his 

 popularity by following the customs of the country, or choose 

 his hunting-ground away from where the leads are being 

 watched by those who like the easiest and surest methods 

 that are allowed. Killing the Caribou in the water would 

 be the surest of all ways, but, fortunately, it is absolutely 

 forbidden. Were it allowed, rifles would not be necessary, 

 for the wretched beasts would be followed with a light, 

 swift boat, and easily killed with an axe. 



In order to make Caribou-shooting a really splendid sport. 



