STILL-HUNTING 



lOI 



the result is never a foregone conclusion. Still- 

 hunting is possible at all seasons, and in the 

 pursuit of all species of deer. Calling is effective 

 for a limited season; it is effective only when the 

 moose is thrown off his guard by the violence of 

 his passions. Successful still-hunting presupposes 

 a considerable degree of alertness and skill in 

 woodcraft, on the part of sportsman and guide 

 alike. Calling, it has been said, presupposes 

 experience and vocal skill on the part of a guide, 

 and little but patience on the part of his employer. 



A good still-hunter possesses the gift of exact 

 observation in a high degree. Book knowledge 

 will never serve as a substitute: it may aid in 

 giving direction to the powers of personal observa- 

 tion, but it can do little more. And besides the 

 power of close observation, the still-hunter must 

 possess vigilance, unremitting vigilance. 



A sportsman and a guide once followed a moose 

 track for three or four hours in two feet of soft 

 snow. There were no snowshoes within fifteen 

 miles. Snowshoes would have been of little 

 assistance in any event, for they would have 

 sunk deep in the light dry snow, but walking 

 without them was slow and tedious. Further- 

 more, moose were few and very worldly-wise. 



