A hunter's life 39^ 



In the winter, when they become tired of carrying those 

 heavy, useless weapons, they lay in the bleakest and coldest 

 spots they can find till their horns freeze, and, in a week oi 

 two after, become loose at the head. I have many timca 

 seen where they have lain all night, rose, and shook them- 

 selves, and there would sometimes lay both horns, and at 

 others, one horn, with a quantity of hair attached to it. 

 This generally occurs in February, and in April tlieir 

 horns start out to grow again. At this time they meet is 

 the same feeding-grounds, become acquainted, and forn 

 such strong attachments to each other, that if a hunter 

 shoots one, the others will frequently remain with it till 

 some of them are also killed. 



This friendly feeling seems to continue all the time their 

 horns are soft, and covered with a skin called velvet, on 

 account of its softness. In September the horns are fully 

 grown, and about the last of that month they seek the 

 highest and warmest places, where they lay for their horns 

 to dry and harden, still keeping the same company. 



About the last of October, they become jealous of each 

 other, fight among themselves, and separate until the 

 mating season is over ; when they return to their old feed- 

 ing-ground, come together again, and so live till the fol- 

 lowing fall. 



In the spring they are poor and shabby, and the venison 

 is of little worth until June, when they lose their winter 

 coat, and assume a deep red color. Their hair is then 

 very thin, and they appear as if they were almost naked. 



At this time they come to the licks, when their meat is 

 excellent and juicy ; and they frequent the low lands, to 

 avoid the hot sun and flies, till the time arrives for them 

 to harden their horns, when they again take to the high 

 lands. 



Having said many things in relation to the game and 

 their habits, I think it may be well to say something con- 



