SCANDINAVIA 285 



contrary, is never loosed, but precedes the hunter in a long leader 

 connected with a kind of chest harness, so constructed as not to 

 impede the dog's breathing. The hunter always works up and 

 across the wind, and utilises every rise in the ground to give the 

 dog's nose a wider range. A really first-rate dog, which, by the way, 

 whether for use in the leash or loose, is extremely difficult to procure, 

 will catch the wind of elk or of fresh spoor from incredible distances, 

 and begin to press quietly towards it. When the hunter 



r 1 1 1- r 1 -1 Pursuit of 



nnds the spoor, or realises irom the more anmiated 

 action of the dog that the elk in the fiesh is not far 

 off, then comes the time for his display of woodcraft. The deer 

 beino" at last siohted, the actual stalk becrins, and the services of the 

 dog are no longer required. He should be trained to crawl beside 

 the hunter, to crouch motionless, and to remain perfectly mute. A 

 whole volume might be written about the many phases and niceties 

 of elk hunting ; within the limits of an article it is not possible to do 

 more than indicate the outlines of the sport. Both styles of hunting, 

 with the loose and leash dog, have their ardent devotees. The 

 former is really illegal in Norway, although locally practised ; in the 

 immense rolling forests of Sweden it is universally adopted. These 

 styles are equally exciting, although on totally different lines. But 

 in either case, if the sportsman's efforts be crowned with complete 

 success, he cannot be otherwise than intensely gratified, and possibly 

 astounded, by the sight of his magnificent quarry. A bull elk of 

 the first class will stand 6 feet and over at the withers, weigh from 

 80 to 90 stone, and possess a pair of broadly palmated antlers with 

 from 18 to 24 points. And even an ordinary beast will supply the 



