346 BIG GAME OF NORTH AMB^KICA. 



44 Winchester, and have had no trouble in bringing down 

 the game; though rarely have I had to shoot over one hun- 

 dred yards. 



There is one precaution which it will be well to observe; 

 that is, keep the wind in your face when possible, as the 

 Croats, when they scent you, may take a notion to skulk off 

 among the rocks and keep out of sight, adding to your 

 trouble in finding them. 



A couple of good Indians will be necessary, to pack your 

 grub and camp outlit, and to i^ick out the least difficult way 

 in making the trip up the mountain; for, during the months 

 above mentioned. Goats are rarely found below the sum- 

 mit. When the summit is reached, if the game is not in 

 sight, the usual signs are sought for — a fresh track, or tuft 

 of wool hanging from bush or projecting rock. In places 

 where this game is abundant, trails will be found worn deep 

 in the soft ground. 



Of course, there is always a certain amount of interest 

 and excitement attached to the hunting down of a wild 

 animal; but after his lirst Goat-hunt, the average sports- 

 man will probably conclude that the sport obtained in the 

 ca]3ture of the Goat hardly pays him for the leg-wearying 

 toil experienced in climbing the rocky heights to reach its 

 habitat. 



During the winter months, say January and February, 

 if one take a canoe and a couj^le of Indians, and j)addle 

 along the shore of any of the inlets which indent the coast- 

 line of British Columbia, he may get a shot at a Goat with- 

 out proceeding far from the water's edge. I have, on one 

 occasion, bagged three and got back to my canoe within 

 one hour from the time of leaving it. The only drawback 

 to a hunt during these months is the disagreeable, wet 

 weather which one is almost certain to encounter in winter 

 on this Northwest Coast. 



I have found more pleasure in sitting down on the 

 sunny side of a rock, and, with the aid of my fteld-glass, 

 watching ah hour or two the queer actions of these sleepy- 

 looking denizens of the mountains, than I ever got out of a 



