is the spot to aim for. If a woodchuck is shot 

 through the body, he often reaches his burrow and 

 escapes, unless the hunter can find a shovel. 



Early in the morning when the sun first strikes 

 the side hills, the woodchuck comes out of his bur- 

 row, and suns himself; and this is the time for the 

 hunter to be afield. 



In the lowlands we find the cotton-tail, and the 

 successful rabbit hunter must exercise all the pa- 

 tience and care of the big-game hunter. Trailing 

 rabbits in a fresh snow is fine fun, and the eye must 

 be keen and the hand steady that brings him to 

 bag. A rabbit that is not badly frightened will 

 often stop running if the hunter gives a shrill whistle ; 

 and this habit has cost many a cotton-tail his life. 

 In the central states, and in certain parts of the 

 west, rabbits are very numerous. The big jack- 

 rabbit is also found, and furnishes splendid sport 

 for the small-calibre enthusiast. 



In the western mountains we find the wood- 

 chuck's big brother — Mr. Hoary Marmot. These 

 animals grow to a large size, and living as they do, 

 in very rugged country, offer many difficulties to the 

 hunter. Their favorite haunts are the crumbled 

 piles of debris at the foot of mountain rock-slides, 

 and the steep mountain meadows where the bear 

 and deer live. In Northern British Columbia the 

 writer often ate these " rock-bears," and their flesh 

 roasted over an open fire, is very palatable. Their 

 skins are used by the Northern Indians in making 



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