The Caribou 263 



autumn short migrations northward are made, and 

 the higher parts of the mountains are deserted 

 for the valleys where food can be more readily 

 obtained. The summer coat is a dark gray or 

 mouse color, with a white caudal patch and white 

 under parts. The depth and shade of the darker 

 hues varies greatly even among individuals from 

 the same locality, and the size of the caudal patch 

 is rarely the same in any two individuals. In 

 winter the neck becomes nearly pure white and 

 the body is often of a very light hue. The ant- 

 lers vary to a degree that is absolutely without 

 limit both as to size and shape, and not only do 

 those of different individuals vary, but the two 

 beams with their tines exhibited by any deer differ 

 from each other, and the yearly antlers of the 

 same caribou rarely have any resemblance one 

 with the other. 



The methods of hunting the Woodland caribou 

 are few and simple. In September, after the vel- 

 vet has been rubbed away, the law generally per- 

 mits these animals to be killed. At this time, 

 the rutting season is beginning, and the bulls are 

 o-ettino: restless and commence to travel the woods 

 seeking the cows, and their hoarse call, something 

 between a grunt and a bark, can often be heard 

 in the early mornings, occasionally even during 

 the day. There is no snow upon the ground, 

 and tracking would be fruitless, for although the 



