212 BIO GAME OF NORTH AMERICA. 



the danger of losing a linger, or perhaps having a wrist 

 crushed. 



As to the best weapon for a trip: Good weapons in great 

 variety are now to be had, and had cheaply. The improved 

 Winchester, 60-110, is an excellent *' saddle gun." Person- 

 ally, I prefer the Bullaixi; the action is so silent, and the 

 shooting of such weapons as I have nsed can not be sur- 

 passed. But 1 am ready to admit that the AVinchester, 

 though not so silent in its action, is a stronger rifle, and 

 more convenient on hoi-seback. It is somewhat lighter, 

 too; and since all who are determined to follow their game 

 np and kill it in sportsmanlike manner must be pre^iared 

 to leave their ponies at the foot of the mountain -not on 

 the side — every exti"a ounce to be carried is a burden. 



Almost as important as the rifle is the field-glass. Don't 

 spare money to get the best that is to be got; and if you 

 ai*e a party of two or three, let one carry a jxjwerful s talk- 

 ing-glass. Especially if going after Sheep or game that 

 is sighted at a distance, it is all-important to be able 

 to make out the size of a head before you face the ai*duous 

 climb of several thousand feet. It is disappointing work to 

 mistake a ixwr head for a good one, when you ai-e at the 

 foot of a mountain and your game is neiir the top, and, 

 after long houi-s of toiling, you get within shot, and find 

 your coveted trophy is not worth the taking. 



Be cai'eful, too, as to your "shoeing.*' The higher ranges 

 of our mountains, though not clothed Avith ice and snow to 

 the same extent as are the Alps, present some features of 

 peculiar danger. The conglomerate formation, which is 

 almost everywhere found in them, makes walking often 

 perilous. However near game may be, never hurry; do not 

 go up a place where you are sure you can not get down. I 

 believe the danger from falls is far greater than any other 

 danger the hunter has to meet; and I know from experience 

 this danger to be considei-able. 



As to outfit, two things are all-important — good ponies, 

 plenty of them, and good packere. Good guides are hard 

 to get; good packei-s are just as hard. For a trip into the 



