The Black-Tail Deer. 129 



ravines and on the edges of the sheer canyons. Such 

 lands, where the ground is roughest, and where there is 

 some cover, even though scattered and scanty, are the 

 best places to find the black-tail. Naturally their pursuit 

 needs very different qualities 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 especial 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. In- 

 deed, 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 rap- 

 idly deciding it in favor of the latter method. Undoubt- 

 edly it is easier and pleasanter to hunt on horseback ; 

 ind it has the advantage of covering a great deal of 

 ground. But it is impossible to advance with such cau- 

 tion, and it is difficult to shoot as quickly, as when on 

 foot ; and where the deer are shy and not very plenty, 

 the most enthusiastic 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 mountainous 

 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 another ; but the places 



