130 
THE EI-K, OR MOOSE. 
judicious hunter, instead of walking in tlie animal’s 
footsteps, forms his judgment, from the appearance 
of the country, of the direction it is likely to liave 
taken, and makes a circuit to the leeward, until he 
again finds tlie tract. This manoeuvre is repeated, 
until he discovers, by the softness of the snow in 
the footmarks, and other signs, that he is very near 
the chase. He then disencumbers himself of every 
thing that might embarrass his motions, and makes 
his approach in the most cautious manner. If he 
gets close to the animal’s lair without being seen, it 
is usual for him to break a small twig, which alann- 
ing the Moose, it instantly starts up ; but not fully 
aware of the danger, squats on its hams. In this 
posture, it presents the fairest mark, and tlie hunter's 
shot seldom fails to take effect in a mortal part.” 
At other times, in winter, when the snow is very 
deep, they are hunted and run down on snow-shoes, 
and in this chase the endurance of the animal is re- 
markable. 
During the rutting season, the Moose lays aside 
all his timidity and wariness, attacking every animal, 
and even man, if he comes in the way. At this 
period, they are attracted by the hunters within shot 
by “ scraping on the blade-bone of a deer, and, by 
whistling, which, deceiving the male, he blindly has- 
tens to the spot, to assail his supposed rival. If 
the hunter fails to give it a mortal wound as it ap- 
proaches, he shelters himself from its fury behind a 
tree ; and 1 have heard of several instances in which 
