436 RECREATION 
details shrouded in such mysterious sur- 
roundings, for the deer appear to under- 
stand how to take advantage of these agen- 
cies of nature which protect them so well. 
Then, again, sometimes a buck will stand 
in plain view watching the hunter, until he 
realizes that he is discovered, when a single 
jump takes him into cover or over a favor- 
ing ridge, waving a farewell with his stubby 
tail as he disappears. Another trick of this 
deer is to lie concealed in the brush until the 
hunter has disappeared, when he will crawl 
out and investigate. If satisfied that the 
intruder has gone on, he sometimes lies 
_down again, but if he feels uncertain as to 
the whereabouts of the enemy, he then 
seeks a new lair. 
This deer when running is most difficult 
to hit, for he runs with stiff-legged bounces 
that easily deceive the rifleman. His gait 
and course when fleeing through timber, 
brush or over windfalls are equally as erratic 
as that of the corkscrew flight of the jack- 
snipe. And many a crack shot often re- 
turns home after an unsuccessful day’s 
shooting minus much ammunition, blaming 
his gun or its sights for his failure, but well 
knowing that the undulations of the deer in 
his hurried flight were too swift for the eyes 
and muscles of an overconfident marksman. 
In the summer the blacktail moves to the 
higher mountains and is found in abundance 
at the base of the snow peaks and even on 
the very summit of the Cascade mountains, 
but early storms cause him to return to the 
lower hills; and at this time—about Octo- 
ber—one may enjoy the best hunting. At 
this season the deer are in prime condition 
and their antlers, being highly polished, 
make handsome trophies. 
Some one has said that “‘the blacktail 
loves rare scenery and the harmonies of 
nature.” His haunts always being among 
the upheaved hills and where he may look 
down upon the great sea of forest, with the 
network of turbulent rivers racing through 
rugged gorges or where the cataract’s 
ceaseless roar adds variety to the woods 
voices, leads one to assent to this opinion. 
One thing is certain: one can enjoy hunt- 
ing this creature with field-glass and camera, 
for studying his habits is most fascinating 
and thrilling. At least, my most enjoyable 
outings have been those during the closed 
season, when my only companions were my 
little spy-glass and a kodak. 
~ 

A TAME BLACK-TAILED FAWN IN WINTER COAT 
