Wolf-Hunting in Russia 



ground. After a few days I flattered myself 

 that I could manage my leash fairly and slip 

 them passably well. To two or three of the 

 party leashes were not intrusted, either be- 

 cause they did not desire them or for their 

 want of experience in general with dogs and 

 horses. To handle a leash well requires ex- 

 perience and considerable care. To prevent 

 tangling in the horse's legs, especially at the 

 moment the game is sighted, requires that the 

 hounds be held well in hand, and that they be 

 not slipped until both have sighted the game. 

 I much prefer the open hunt to the post sys- 

 tem. There is more action, and in fact more 

 sport, whether it happens that one or several 

 leashes be slipped for the same animal. When 

 it is not possible to know whose dogs have 

 taken the game, it belongs to him who arrived 

 first, providing that he has slipped his leash. 



So much for the foxes and hares, but the 

 more interesting hunting of wolves remains. 

 Few people except wolf -hunters — and they 

 are reluctant to admit it — know how rarely 

 old wolves are caught with hounds. All admit 

 the danger of taking an old one either by a 

 dagger thrust or alive from under* barzois, 



* This is the Russian phrasing, and correctly describes the idea. 

 169 



