130 THE ELK, OR MOOSE. 



judicious hunter, instead of walking in the animal's 

 footsteps, forms his judgment, from the appearance 

 of the country, of the direction it is likely to have 

 taken, and makes a circuit to the leeward, until he 

 again finds the tract. This manoeuvre is repeated, 

 until he discovers, by the softness of the snow in 

 the footmarks, and other signs, that he is very near 

 the chase. He then disencumbers himself of every 

 thing that might embarrass his motions, and makes 

 his approach in the most cautious manner. If he 

 gets close to the animal's lair without being seen, it 

 is usual for him to break a small twig, which alarm- 

 ing the Moose, it instantly starts up ; but not fully 

 aware of the danger, squats on its hams. In this 

 posture, it presents the fairest mark, and the hunter's 

 shot seldom fails to take effect in a mortal part." 



At other times, in winter, when the snow is very 

 deep, they are hunted and run down on snow-shoes, 

 and in this chase the endurance of the animal is re- 

 markable. 



During the rutting season, the Moose lays aside 

 all his timidity and wariness, attacking every animal, 

 and even man, if he comes in the way. At this 

 period, they are attracted by the hunters within shot 

 *by " scraping on the blade-bone of a deer, and, by 

 whistling, which, deceiving the male, he blindly has- 

 tens to the spot, to assail his supposed rival. If 

 the hunter fails to give it a mortal wound as it ap- 

 proaches, he shelters himself from its fuiy behind a 

 tree ; and I have heard of several instances in which 



