CHAPTER II. 



THE BISON, GENERALLY CALLED BUFFALO. 



THE habitat of this powerful and gigantic animal ex- 

 tended from the Gulf of Mexico on the south to the 62d 

 degree of north latitude, and from Kentucky and Indiana 

 on the east to the higher ridges of the Rocky Mountains on 

 the west : however, this range is now much contracted, and 

 in a corresponding ratio their numbers diminished. Al- 

 though buffalo at the present day can be found in the State 

 of Kansas, yet the wholesale butchery they have there been 

 lately submitted to has caused the few survivors to be ex- 

 tremely wild and difficult to approach ; therefore I should 

 advise the sportsman to direct his steps farther toward the 

 north-west, to the valley of the Yellowstone or upper forks 

 of the Missouri, to the Saskatchewan or the large plains lay- 

 ing to its north. From the increase of settlement and of 

 travel across the continent, this game, which formerly was 

 migratory, has comparatively speaking ceased to be so; 

 thus the sportsman will not now be compelled to follow 

 them over an extensive range of country, but will probably 

 be able to enjoy the pleasure of their pursuit all the year 

 in one locality. The legitimate methods for their pursuit 

 are by running them on horseback, when they are shot 

 with a very large - bored pistol as the sportsman ranges 

 alongside, or to stalk them, a rifle of great power and cal- 

 ibre being then necessary. The shoulder-shot is the best, 

 unless the animal happen to front you and expose his chest. 

 Shooting at the head is a useless expenditure of ammunition, 

 and, unless to turn a charge, should never be attempted. 



