CHAPTER II 



THE MULE-DEER 



The range of the mule-deer on the western 

 slope of our country is far more varied than that 

 of any other deer. Not only does he at times go 

 well into the range of the blacktail, and at all 

 times find himself at home in the heavy timber 

 or dense brush apparently essential to the exist- 

 ence of the blacktail, but he is equally at home 

 on great open tablelands and even plains where 

 one would expect to find only the antelope. 

 The sole condition is enough gullies, piles of 

 rock, patches of timber or brush, hiding-places 

 of almost any kind, or ground rough enough to 

 enable him to dodge pursuit. And even these 

 do not have to be so very plenty or very close to- 

 gether. He has not the slightest fear of desola- 

 tion or aridity, and on the worst of deserts, where 

 many a man and horse, and even the tough 

 donkey, have lain down to rise no more, the 

 mule-deer may be found happy and fat. All he 

 needs is enough rough ground and cactus. Mes- 



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