274 CARRYING HOME MEAT TO CAMP. 



seen the kill, and watched the subsequent process of 

 preparing it for table use, and will be sure to visit the 

 carcase and destroy it, unless prevented. Now we must 

 frankly admit that the branches laid over it have of them- 

 selves but little effect of saving the body from their 

 depredations, but both birds and animals will suspect 

 a trap on seeing them so placed, and the fear of this 

 will probably keep them off at least for some hours. 

 Even grass, or a rag, or piece of paper stuck on a 

 stick, is better than nothing, if there are no branches. 

 When the hunter comes back again to carry home his 

 game, or whatever portions of it he may require, he 

 will probably load some of it on one or both horses. 

 Animals unused to carrying meat, and being alarmed 

 by the scent of it, often become restive and trouble- 

 some; but when they have been accustomed to it a 

 few times they show only a mild species of dislike to 

 the novel burden. It is better therefore to blind the 

 eyes of the horse if at all unsteady, while loading 

 him with meat, by wrapping- a coat or cloth round his 

 head, and ropes or cords must be taken to tie the load 

 on him. If there are horns which are not wanted to 

 be kept as specimens, it is absolutely necessary to 

 knock them off with the hatchet, as the sharp horns 

 of an animal tied upon a pack horse may inflict very 

 severe wounds on the animal, should it become restive. 

 As regards the preparation of hunting trophies as 

 specimens, \ve would merely here remind the hunter 

 that many heads are completely spoilt by being badly 

 separated from the carcase, and by the skin being cut 

 off too close to the head. When taking off a head 

 therefore, the skin of the neck should be neatly cut 

 round some distance down from it, and skinned and 



