3io The Antelope 



isfied that it is something usual and harmless, runs to the top of 

 the nearest hill, and from that point again scrutinizes it. If now the 

 object passes out of sight behind any cover, the antelope at once 

 shifts his position to the top of another hill. But in localities where 

 they have been much hunted, the sight of a mounted man, even at a 

 great distance, is enough to set the antelope in motion, and they run 

 off at once without waiting to inspect him. The sight of one running 

 band alarms all those in the neighborhood, and they all move off to 

 points from which they can obtain a good outlook. 



In hunting large game, of whatever kind, caution and patience 

 are prime requisites for success ; and in the pursuit of no species are 

 these more necessary than with the antelope. It is so constantly on 

 the alert, and its eyesight is so keen, that all the hunter's care is 

 needed to enable him to beat it with its own weapons and on its own 

 ground. When hunting antelope, therefore, it is important to go 

 slowly, and to look over the ground in front of you very carefully 

 before showing yourself. When you approach the crest of a hill, do 

 not ride your horse quite up to the top of it, but stop him before 

 reaching the summit, dismount, and drop the lariat; or, if he is 

 broken in the usual plains fashion, throw the bridle-rein over his 

 head, and walk carefully to the top. As you approach it, move 

 slowly. Do not raise your head and shoulders at once to look over 

 the ridge, for there may be a band of antelope within a few yards of 

 you. Take off your hat, for its crown is several inches above your 

 eyes, and can therefore be seen before you yourself can see. Raise 

 your head very gradually, and as it rises keep the eyes moving 

 from side to side, so as to take in all the ground on either side of, 

 and beyond, as well as immediately in front of you. If you should 

 see the game, do not duck down your head at once, unless you are 

 positive that'the animals have not observed you, but lower it with 

 the same slow motion. A sudden movement is very likely to 

 attract attention, while a slow one will be almost sure to escape 

 notice. If your game is within range, you will of course take your 

 shot as soon as you please, but it may be at some distance, and 

 in such a situation that by taking advantage of some ravine, or hill, 

 or depression in the prairie, you can creep up close enough to shoot. 

 To do this you may have to make a long detour before reaching the 

 desired point. In such a case, notice carefully the lay of the land and 



