354 HOOFED ANIMALS 



sight, the Moose does not yield itself an easy prey, but 

 taxes the resources of the hunter to the utmost. If, for 

 example, a hunter should come within a mile of a Moose, 

 and allow the wind to blow from him to the Deer, the 

 animal will scent him at once and make off with 

 immense strides, greatly accelerating its usual high 

 shambling trot. Trappers and hunters assert that even 

 amid the most furious tempest, the snapping of a twig by 

 human hand or foot will be detected by the cautious and 

 suspicious animal, causing it to be additionally watchful 

 for hours afterwards. 



There is, in fact, only one part of the year in which the 

 Moose can be hunted openly. When the snow is deep, and 

 a sharp frost has covered it with a thin crust, the Moose- 

 hunter rejoices. He puts on his snow-shoes, and by their 

 aid skims lightly over the frozen surface. He then boldly 

 gives chase to the Moose, which, by reason of its great weight, 

 breaks through the ice-crust and sinks beyond its knees at 

 every step. By driving the animal incessantly through this 

 treacherous snow, the hunter tires it so effectually that 

 when he comes up with it the Moose has no strength left 

 wherewith to resist. But even at such a time it is necessary 

 for the hunter to exercise caution, for if he approach too 

 near, the animal will turn upon its pursuer, leap upon him, 

 and trample him underfoot. 



On firm ground the Moose is a most formidable anta- 

 gonist, using not only its horns but its feet with terrible 

 effect. In face of an injured and infuriated animal a 

 hunter will sometimes shelter himself behind a tree, and in 

 its efforts to reach its foe the enraged Moose will completely 

 strip the bark from the trunk by striking vicious blows with 

 its forefeet. 



The wily Red Indian stalks the Moose with marvellous 

 skill. Selecting a place of concealment, upon a birch-bark 

 pipe he gives the call of the cow Moose with a fidelity 

 that completely deceives the bull. With a bellow of 

 defiance to all other males, the bull comes crashing 

 through the forest, and all unsuspectingly offers itself as 

 a fair mark to the artful red man, who reaps the reward 

 of his ruse. 



