THE MULE-DEER 107 



they have been abundant. In the summer they go up 

 to and above the timber-line on high mountains. 

 Colonel Dodge says they will often move more than 

 a hundred miles when leavine: the hiijh mountains to 

 spread themselves over the country where they find a 

 locality suited to their tastes. 



We are indebted to Colonel Dodge for much in- 

 formation about the mule-deer. Few, if any, sports- 

 men, and no writers, have seen more of this animal. 

 He tells of many big scores and has killed as many 

 as thirty-one in a week. This was on ground near 

 Fort Lyon. On August 16, 1875, he says: ''I came 

 within lontj shot of a herd of four — as fine bucks as 

 I ever saw — and knocked down all of them. Three I 

 bagged, but the fourth, though mortally wounded, hid 

 in the thicket and was lost." 



In the middle of the day, the Colonel says, a ridge 

 or point surrounded by cedars is a favorite place for 

 the deer's siesta. " This is my favorite stalk, and when 

 the ground is soft enough to show tracks and the wind 

 is right, T always consider such deer as my meat. A 

 trail leading to such a thicket being found, it should 

 be followed with the greatest caution if the wind will 

 permit. When suddenly surprised, the black-tail 

 (mule-deer) sometimes makes up his mind to remain 

 concealed. He will crouch close to the ground, head 

 down, and allow a man almost to step on him without 

 moving." One day when the Colonel was passing in 

 the open, close to a thicket, his orderly called lo him 

 in a low tone and pointed out something in ihc bush 

 which he said was a deer. " I scouted the idea," he 

 says. "We were to(j near, and I could sec nothing 



