248 STOX TING A D I 'ENTURES 



on the higher pinnacles. In these retreats, notwithstanding 

 the fact that wolves and cougars are comparatively scarce, it 

 exercises the most scrutinizing vigilance, and the hunter that 

 would approach it undetected must have the caution, cunning, 

 and patience of an Indian. Like all mountain animals, it is 

 very keen of scent and easily alarmed, yet when it is not 

 hunted much, and persons approach it from the leeward at a 

 snail's pace, and halt frequently, they may get a shot at it, for, 

 like all its family, its vision seems to be so defective that it 

 is able to distinguish objects only when they are in motion. 

 Those who would be successful in stalking it should, therefore, 

 move slowly, tread lightly, and use their eyes instead of their 

 feet. The great point is to see the quarry before it sees you, 

 and as its coating closely resembles the grass and leaves, and 

 it is generally concealed in dense shrubbery during the day, 

 the only way in which this can be done is to peer sharply 

 in every direction and let the gaze rest steadily for a few 

 moments on spots where it is supposed to lurk. One should 

 work to the windward under all circumstances, for the 

 keen nostrils of a deer will detect the presence of a hunter 

 several hundred yards away, and it would be off in the most 

 noiseless manner before he even knew that it was about. Its 

 hearing being also excellent, the breaking of a branch, the 

 rustle of the shrubbery, or the crackling of a rotten bough 

 under foot would send it scampering away in a hurry ; hence, 

 the general advice may be summarized in a sentence keep 

 your eyes open ; walk very slowly and lightly; and work to 

 windward. If a deer passes a person's front while he is out 

 stalking, he may cause it to halt long enough to get a shot by 

 giving a sharp whistle or call, as its curiosity is so strong that 

 it wants to know the meaning of every unusual sound and the 

 character of every strange object, even when the hounds are 

 in full pursuit. I have shot several that would have (lashed 

 past me in lull Might but for this ruse, and I remember few 

 cases in which 1 failed to cause a halt by its means. The 

 stop might be onlv for a second or two, vet it was lon<>- 

 enough to give a good opportunity for firing. Cautious as the 

 mule deer is, it will halt on hearing the signal, even in the open, 



