ELK-HUNTING IN THE OLYMPIC MOUNTAINS.* 53 



The principal Indian method of hunting the Elk, in the 

 Olympic Range, is by driving them over precipices. Select- 

 ing a well-known spot, on a well-traveled Elk-trail, they 

 will lie in wait for weeks, until a band appears coming down 

 the mountain. The place usually selected is one where the 

 trail curves around some great rock, just at the edge of 

 a precipice a hundred feet or more in height. A scout, 

 stationed high up the mountain, gives notice of the approach 

 of a band, and then the Indians mass at the lower end of the 

 curve, while others conceal themselves above the curve. 

 As soon as the band passes these latter, they spring to their 

 feet, rush down the trail, yelling and firing guns. The 

 Indians at the lower end of the curve do the same, and the 

 Elk, finding themselves surrounded, leap over the cliff and 

 are crushed on the rocks below. The Si wash is lazy and 

 cruel. Sometimes, after driving a large herd over a cliff, 

 some of them will be found alive, near the Indians' camp, a 

 week later, with every limb shattered. At one time I expost- 

 ulated with an Indian on this needless cruelty, when he 

 replied: ''Meat keeps better living than dead. When I 

 want to eat him, I will kill him.'' In that case it was not 

 the survival of the fittest, for the Wapiti is far the nobler 

 animal of the two. 



Many years ago, when the Elk were abundant on the 

 plains, the favorite method employed by the Indians of 

 h tinting them was on horseback. When information was 

 brought to an Indian village that a band of this favorite 

 game had been sighted, all was excitement, confusion, and 

 eagerness. The best Buffalo-horses were at once caught and 

 saddled, and the most expert hunters mounted on them. 

 Like all other species of Ccrridce, Elk are prone to run in a 

 circle when alarmed. Taking advantage of this habit, the 

 hunters would divide in two or three bodies, and would 

 ride in different directions, always keeping to windward, 

 until the band were partially surrounded. 



Then one of the hunters who rode a fleet horse would 

 be sent to startle the band. As soon as he appeared, the 

 Elk would start off, on their long, sweeping trot, and 



