FOREWORD 



TO derive the greatest pleasure from the 

 pursuit of game, either large or small, it 

 is necessary that the disciple of Nimrod be 

 versed in the science of interpreting the meaning 

 of tracks and trails. Nature is as an open book 

 to the man who can read the signs of the woods 

 and plains correctly; and where the uninitiated 

 see only meaningless tracks, experienced hunters 

 find them in many instances the guide to exhil- 

 arating sport and a desired trophy. To the tyro 

 the finest tracking snow is useless and the marks 

 he sees everywhere around him simply bewilder 

 him. Were he able to read them as every hunter 

 should, his day's sport would mean enjoyment 

 and success, instead of disappointment and 

 failure. 



Game is not so plentiful as it used to be, and 

 for this reason it is generally a waste of time 

 from the standpoint of the game bag merely to 

 tramp through the woods and trust to luck. 



ix 



