STILL-HUNTING 



107 



With some study one can learn to distinguish 

 between freshly nibbled twigs, and twigs which 

 were cropped several hours earlier, by the color 

 and moisture of the exposed inner bark and the 

 wood. Similarly the freshness of the peeling of 

 bark on the trunks of trees may be judged. But 

 most hunters rely less on such signs than on those 

 pertaining to the tracks of the animal. 



Two men can hunt more effectively together 

 than one alone, if they are equally painstaking. A 

 guide, leading the way and studying the tracks, 

 the evidences of browsing, and the many other 

 things which demand attention, may easily frighten 

 the animal which made the tracks, if the animal 

 chances to be a hundred yards away and looking 

 along his back track as he feeds. But the sports- 

 man following the guide, if he keeps a sharp 

 lookout for a possible quick shot, paying little 

 attention to the tracks, is ready with his rifle 

 for just such an exigency. 



Where a sportsman has a little experience, and 

 enters thoroughly into the spirit of the hunt, it is 

 probable that he will see the game that he is seek- 

 ing before his guide sees it twice out of three 

 times. This is no disparagement of the guide. 

 In the division of activity as above outlined it is 

 to be expected. 



