THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT. 



345 



times a i)ot-shot may be had without much climbing. 

 Wh,en taken young, they are easily domesticated, and will 

 follow the person who feeds them with the fidelity of a dog. 

 They are, however, somewhat mischievous, and will chew 

 up anything they happen to come across, from a pocket- 

 handkerchief to an old boot; and one that I kept in confine- 

 ment was extremely pugnacious in the presence of dogs 

 and cows. 



Except during the rutting-season (November) and in 

 mid- winter, they are not, to any extent, gregarious. They 

 are not an animal of speed, as the short, clumsy limbs will at 

 once show; nor are they ever in a hurry. Time is of little 

 importance to them; and even when startled by the approach 

 of the hunter, their mode of escape is usually in skulking 

 behind some projecting rock, rather than in speedy flight. 



Wonderful stories have been told concerning the cun- 

 ning and alertness of this strange animal of the mountain- 

 peaks, and the great caution required by the hunter in 

 stalking it; and Indians — even at the present time — will 

 warn you of certain rules which mast be strictly followed 

 if you hope to become a successful Goat-hunter. You must 

 not smoke; you must not build a fire within three or four 

 miles of where Goats are supposed to be found; }'0u must 

 wear moccasins — boots make too much noise; you must not 

 tire a random shot, for if you miss your Goat, gone is your 

 chance for that day — all of which, so far as my experience 

 goes, is the veriest rot. The Mountain Goat is, i^erliaps, the 

 most stupid animal in the mountains, and little or no skill 

 is required in hunting it. The great dilficulty is in reach- 

 ing the almost inaccessible places which they usually 

 inhabit. 



The best time for a pleasurable hunt is during the 

 months of September and October, or before the "wet 

 season" sets in, although the skins are not in prime con- 

 dition till later on. Any of the modern makes of American 

 large-bore rifles will be found effective in the pursuit of 

 this animal. In every case, when hunting, I liave used a 



