156 DEER STALKING ON 



sharp, shell-like edges grow well out on the margins, assisting the 

 animal immensely in crossing frozen lakes and scaling the steep 

 sides of slippery rock precipices. The constant alertness of eye, 

 nostril and ear, is very remarkable, as if a watch were never relaxed 

 by these timid creatures for unseen foes. The hinds with fawns 

 wear an indescribably anxious expression, which is so foreign to the 

 animal kingdom that I am inclined to attribute it to the relentless 

 pursuit of man, and not to the fear of beasts of prey. When an 

 enemy is sighted but not winded, it is the curious habit of the 

 caribou, instead of merely turning its head for better observation, 

 to turn the whole body broadside to its foe, thus giving the hunter 

 his most coveted opportunity for a deadly shot. 



The foes of the caribou other than man are not numerous. 

 Although the big grey wolf that fierce enemy of the calves of the 

 great deer is still reported on the northern plains in considerable 

 numbers, it is now seldom encountered in the interior. Having 

 formerly existed in large packs, it is supposed that a migration 

 must have occurred across the winter ice-floes of the Belle Isle 

 Strait to the coasts of Labrador. 



Even such a redoubtable beast of prey as the grey wolf could 

 at no time make certain of a successful foray upon an animal 

 endowed with so great speed and endurance as a well-grown cari- 

 bou. A trustworthy old Newfoundland trapper relates that 

 he once witnessed an exciting chase by wolves of a couple of 

 ' prickets ', or two-year-old caribou stags. Their long, swing- 

 ing trot availed them to keep at a safe distance, until from the 

 nature of the ground they were driven to double on their course. 

 Both sides doubtless were going at their utmost pace. At this 

 spot he measured the bounds of the caribou and found them eighteen 

 feet, while the wolves only cleared fourteen, so that the caribou 

 easily gained on them when close pressed. So much ahead were 

 the caribou at times that they rolled over on their backs in the 

 snow to cool their panting and heaving sides, and seemed to gather 

 new strength and refreshment from the act. 



It is a common sight in a caribou country to see numberless 

 fir saplings, about one inch in diameter, peeled and destroyed, 

 from being incessantly used as rubbing posts to help get rid of 

 the velvet. As the horns grow thoroughly hardened, they are 

 boldly rubbed against tougher materials. The rough bark of 

 some old yellow birch, or the brown wrinkled bowl of a hemlock, 

 more readily assists them to cleanse the antlers from the irritating 

 substance. The best antlers are carried by stags in the prime of life 

 from four to eight years old. They are frequently met with showing 

 over forty points. Indeed, rare stags have been reported as carrying 



