56 GAME ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



that the finest ear can scarcely distinguish between the real and 

 simulated sound. 



The sportsman being concealed in the bushes, the caller ascends 

 to a tree near at hand, and proceeds to sound the note of the cow 

 which is promptly responded to by any bulls in the vicinity. The 

 oldest and strongest of these at once advance to secure the favors 

 of the supposed female, and to do battle with any rival that may 

 be on the ground. Sometimes when two old males are hastening 

 to the spot whence the call proceeds, they meet, and a furious com- 

 bat ensues. If however there is only one male near at hand, by 

 delicate manipulation of the call, the animal is sometimes drawn to 

 within a few yards of the hunter, who is usually enabled to shoot 

 it dead at the first fire. 



Of stalking it is unnecessary to speak at length, since the same 

 directions for this mode of hunting apply to the Moose as to other 

 animals, with some minor modifications, depending on the nature 

 of the country. 



Hounding is practiced during the winter when the snow covers 

 the ground. Having found the game or very fresh "sign" the 

 dogs are slipped, and the Moose is soon brought to bay, especially if 

 the snow is deep and crusted. Its attention is then so occupied 

 that the hunter has little difficulty in approaching, and giving the 

 fatal wound. 



These animals are also run down during the deep snows ot 

 winter by hunters on snow-shoes. This requires great power and 

 endurance, but very little sportsmanlike skill. Although the legs 

 of the Moose are long, and it can travel with considerable ease 

 through drifts of moderate depth, it is easily overtaken when a 

 crust, hard yet not sufficiently strong to support it, covers the sur- 

 face of the snow. The poor animal breaks through at every step, 

 its legs are cut and bleeding, and its enormous powers are before 

 long exhausted. The hunter coming up, can butcher it at his lei- 

 sure. By this means in severe winters many of these noble beasts 

 are slaughtered for their hides alone. 



The gradual destruction of the Moose is a matter of history. 

 Space and time are both too valuable for the discussion of such an 

 unprofitable subject. The being with the skin and clothes of a 

 white man, who in one winter butchered seventy-five of them for 



