CHAPTER XV. 



FIELD NOTES ON GAME: GAME OF THE TEKKES 



THE Asiatic or Altai Wapiti (Cervus canadensis 

 asiaticus), stag locally called " boach " or " bogi " ; 

 hind, "maral." 



This fine deer is, above all, the trophy to be 

 obtained in the Tekkes, but, sad to say, its numbers 

 are rapidly decreasing, and, probably before many 

 years are gone, it will be about extinct in this 

 district. Most of the natives now have breech- 

 loading military rifles, and the stag's horns in velvet 

 have a high value for the Chinese market, the 

 equivalent of from 50 to as much as 120 rupees 

 (^8), or even more, being paid for a good pair, 

 which causes them to be much sought after ; while 

 the hard horns have also a value, though, of course, 

 much less, and are exported to Russia. Though 

 the Kalmaks are great shikaris, they seldom shoot 

 hinds, which is more than can be said of the Kazaks 

 and Kirghiz, who kill everything they can, regard- 

 less of age, sex, or season, with a result which is 

 becoming painfully apparent. What a shooting- 

 ground this must have been once may be judged 



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