188 
MOOSE DEER. 
They never are seen on the ice like the rein-deer ; it would seem by the 
formation of their hoofs that they might walk well on the roclcs, or on the 
ice, but they keep in the woods, and when walking over snow their feet 
usually sink into it until they reach the earth. 
“ A Mr. Bell, residing at Three Rivers, has a Moose which has been 
taught to draw water in a cart or in a sleigh during winter, hut there is 
no possibility of working it during the rutting season. We have never 
heard of any attempt to ride on the Moose deer. Their horns, which are 
large, palmated, and heavy, are dropped in the months of December and 
January, begin to show again in the latter part of March, and in two 
months or thereabouts attain their full size. When covered over 
with ‘ velvet,’ as it is called, they are very curious. A pair of good Moose 
horns sells at the high price of twenty dollars ! The velvet is scraped off 
against trees and bushes in the manner employed by our Virginian deer. 
Horns have been measured when reversed and standing on the ground 
four feet seven inches, and ordinary pairs often measure five feet and up- 
wards. * 
“It is said that the Moose can smell at a very great distance, and that the 
moment they scent a man or other enemy they make off and are not easily 
overtaken. On the first glimpse of man, if they are lying down they I’ise 
to their feet and are off at once, and often before they are observed by the 
hunter. Wlren closely pursued, they turn and make a dash at the enemy, 
scarcely giving him time to escape, and the hunter’s best plan in such cases 
is to keep cool and shoot the animal as it rushes towards him, or if unpre- 
pared, he. had best ascend a tree with all convenient dispatch. Sometimes 
the hunter is obliged to save himself by dodging around a tree, or by 
throwing down some part of his dress, upon which the Moose expends 
his fury, trampling on it until torn to tatters. 
“ Moose-hunting is followed by wdiite or red skinned hunters in the same 
manner. He, howevei’, who has been born in the woods, possesses many 
advantages over the ‘ civilized’ man. The white hunters generally pro- 
vide themselves, previous to their starting, amply with provisions and 
ammunition to last them about three weeks, and sometimes go in a sleigh. 
The guns used are mostljr single-barrelled, of ordinary size, but suited for 
shooting balls as well as shot, — rifles are rarely used in Canada. After 
leaving the settlements, the first day’s journey takes them ten or twelve 
miles, when they select a proper place in a snowy district, as near a 
stream as possible. 
“ If the weather is fine, they cut down trees and make a camp, some of the 
party provide water, and others light the fires and clear off the snow for 
yards around, whilst evergreen trees are stripped of their branches to 
