Moose -Hunting. 



*59 



A MOOSE FAMILY. 



is an abundant growth of young deciduous trees, such as the white 

 birch, poplar, maples, and mountain ash ; these, together with a few 

 of the coniferous trees, the balsam fir and juniper, form the staple 

 diet of the moose. Some writers maintain that the bull-moose never 

 yards with the females and young, but this is disproved by my own 

 experience as a moose-hunter, extending over a period of many 

 years, and in company with one of the most intelligent and accom- 

 plished Indian guides. I have on many occasions found and killed 

 males occupying the same yard with old and young females. A few 



years ago, when out on a hunt with my friend, Colonel W , and 



some Indian guides, we discovered a moose-yard, occupied by a very 

 large bull, two cows, and younger animals. After a long and des- 

 perate hunt, we killed the bull and captured one of the young moose 

 alive. I admit that very old bulls, grizzled with age, their horns 

 almost bleached white, affect solitary habits, and yard alone. 



The maximum age attained by the moose is difficult to deter- 

 mine ; some hunters profess to judge by the number of tines on the 

 horns, but that method is not to be relied upon. The Indians say 

 that the horns do not attain their full size until the sixth year, and 



