TRACKS AND TRACKING 



and because of this the hoofs spread sideways 

 without lengthening the tracks. This gives the 

 track of the latter a somewhat round appearance 

 as long as there is moisture in the ground, or if 

 it is covered by snow that is not too dry. This 

 form of the track is usually found during the 

 winter and early summer. Of course, when the 

 rim becomes prominent enough to prevent spread- 

 ing, as is the case during prolonged dry weather 

 or in the arid regions, a big mule-deer will make 

 a rather small track, and in many instances the 

 sole of the hoof does not show at all in the 

 mark. The track has very much the appearance 

 of that made by a domestic sheep, yet it is differ- 

 ent from it because in the sheep's track the heels 

 and soles always show, and the hoofs are spread 

 to an extent not found in deer. Besides, the 

 halves of the hoof of a mule-deer are as a rule 

 almost exactly alike, whereas with the sheep that 

 is but seldom the case. 



The buck of the mule-deer evidently has not 

 sense enough to spend, for safety's sake, some of 

 his time in watching from cover, and because of 

 this his trail leads along without stopping, except 



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