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 



