TRACKS AND TRACKING 



killed by other means; and besides, it at least 

 gives the still-hunter a chance. 



Cougars do not respond readily to being called 

 (by imitating the cries of a jack-rabbit) ; at least 

 I have lured but one in eight or ten years, and 

 missed it at that. Trapping them is as sure as 

 gambling, i. e., there is never any certainty that 

 one will get the lion, and as their existence is un- 

 questionably obnoxious to sportsmen and stock- 

 growers alike, hunting them with dogs is a com- 

 mendable method, since it insures their decrease, 

 and to the tyro means a trophy. 



Barnyard study is, undoubtedly, responsible 

 for the conclusions advanced by some writers that 

 the members of the cat family are the most per- 

 fect track makers, i. e., walkers. As a matter 

 of fact, the trail of a wild cat cannot be compared, 

 so far as perfection goes, with the trail of the 

 wild dog. The cougar's tracks seldom register. 

 He either oversteps with the hind foot the track 

 made by the forefoot when in a hurry, or he 

 does not step quite far enough to cover the fore- 

 foot track when leisurely walking, and the indi- 

 vidual tracks do not stand so close to the center 



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