THE PRESENT CONDITION OF ASIATIC WAPITI 
small bushes which stand up through the snow. I hunted for about 
ten days, most of the time sleeping under the spruces, as we could 
not get laden horses up far enough. I saw several poor stags, and one 
beauty in a herd of five (why do you make me rake up such tantalizing 
memories!). From what my old hunter said and what I saw the stags 
in winter rarely collect into herds of more than from eight to ten, 
though he had seen as many as twenty. Winter is not the time to hunt 
them! It is not only that the cold is so bad (10 degrees to 20 degrees 
below zero), but the rough, snow-clad hillsides make moving about 
such very slow work. Of course, if one does have the luck to come on 
a big herd there is pretty sure to be a real big one in it. I saw thousands 
of roe, but of course without horns.” 
With regard to weapons the true small-bore rifles are not quite heavy 
enough for the larger varieties of Asiatic deer, unless the bullet is placed 
exactly in the right place. Every one has his own opinion on a question of 
this sort and I merely give mine for what it is worth. A *350 Magnum is an 
excellent weapon. 
To travel in Central Asia it is essential to procure Russian passports 
which must be applied for some months before starting and the exact 
route the sportsman intends to follow defined. This is most important, as 
the Russian officials at once prohibit any attempt at varying or enlarging 
the scope of the journey defined in the passport. A good guide is essential. 
As Mr Carruthers is dealing with the game of Asia generally I will not say 
any more as regards the best method of reaching the hunting grounds, etc. 
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