140 Hunting Trips of a Ranchman 



ties in the hunter from those required in the chase of 

 the white-tail. In the latter case stealth and caution 

 are the prime requisites; while the man who would 

 hunt and kill the deer of the uplands has more espe 

 cial need of energy, activity, and endurance, of good 

 judgment and of skill with the rifle. Hunting the 

 black-tail is beyond all comparison the nobler sport. 

 Indeed, there is no kind of plains hunting, except 

 only the chase of the big-horn, more fitted to bring 

 out the best and hardiest of the many qualities which 

 go to make up a good hunter. 



It is still a moot question whether it is better 

 to hunt on horseback or on foot; but the course of 

 events is rapidly deciding it in favor of the latter 

 method. Undoubtedly it is easier and pleasanter 

 to hunt on horseback; and it has the advantage of 

 covering a great deal of ground. But it is impos 

 sible to advance with such caution, and it is difficult 

 to shoot as quickly, as when on foot; and where 

 the deer are shy and not very plenty, the most en 

 thusiastic must, slowly and reluctantly but surely, 

 come to the conclusion that a large bag can only 

 be made by the still-hunter who goes on foot. Of 

 course, in the plains country it is not as in mountain 

 ous or thickly wooded regions, and the horse should 

 almost always be taken as a means of conveyance 

 to the hunting-grounds and from one point to an 

 other ; but the places where game is expected should, 

 as a rule, be hunted over on foot. This rule is by 

 no means a general one, however. There are still 

 many localities where the advantage of covering a 



