CHAPTER II. 



THE BISON, GENERALLY CALLED 

 BUFFALO. 



THE habitat of this powerful and gigantic animal 

 extended from the Gulf of Mexico on the south to the 

 62nd degree of north latitude, and from Kentucky and 

 Indiana on the east to the higher ridges of the Rocky 

 Mountains on the west ; however, this range is now 

 much contracted, and in a corresponding ratio their 

 numbers diminished. Although buffalo at the present 

 day can be found in the State of Kansas, yet the 

 wholesale butchery they have there been lately sub- 

 mitted to has caused the few survivors to be ex- 

 tremely wild and difficult of approach ; therefore I 

 should advise the sportsman to direct his steps further 

 toward the north-west, to the valley of the Yellow- 

 stone or upper forks of the Missouri, to the Saskat- 

 chewan or the large plains laying to its north. 

 From the increase of settlement and of travel across 

 the continent, this game, which formerly was migra- 

 tory, has comparatively speaking ceased to be so ; 

 thus the sportsman will not now be compelled to 

 follow them over an extensive range of country, but 

 will probably be able to enjoy the pleasure of their 

 pursuit all the year in one locality. The legitimate 

 methods for their pursuit are by running them on 

 horseback, when they are shot with a very large-bored 



