41 
Caribou were decoyed by means of the skin of a head and pair of front 
legs of that animal. The caribou head skin was put over that of the hunter 
and the protruding fore parts of the face were allowed to hang down as 
naturally as possible. The hunter looked through the eye-holes of his 
disguise. Horns attached to sticks were also held above the head and used 
to simulate the animal's characteristic movements while eating and watch- 
ing. When close enough, the prey was killed with the bow and arrow. 
The use of horns as a decoy is also described for the Beaver (Slave) by 
Wentzel (Wentzel, par L. R. Masson, 1890, I, page 81) and for the Hares 
by Simpson, Richardson, and Petitot {See Simpson, 1843, page 208; 
Richardson in Appendix to Franklin, 1828, page 275; and Petitot, 1893, 
page 283). 
Impounding was contrived by building a long fence of trees and brush 
which led into an enclosure. The women and children then drove the 
animals in the proper direction, where they were speared or shot with 
bows and arrows. In snaring, the same type of fence was used except 
that at convenient openings snares were set. For a good description of 
impounding by Dogribs in early days See King, 1836, volume I, page 155 ff. 
Spears were used most effectively against swimming caribou. Lakes 
in which the animals sought protection from the hies were watched, and 
at the proper time, the natives attacked them from canoes. 
An interesting note on the taming of caribou is found in McClean 
(1849, II, page 274). He says: 
“I have been informed that the Yellowknives, and some of the other tribes inhabiting 
these desert tracts, have the art of taming the fawns, which they take in great numbers 
while swimming after their dams so that they follow them like dogs till they see fit to kill 
them.” 
Although there is no further evidence on this point from Great Bear lake, 
such occurrences are not impossible. 
The hunter on killing a caribou cuts out the tongue for himself and 
then sends a friend for the rest of the meat, as in the case of a moose. It is 
taboo for dogs or menstruating women to touch the kill. A taboo against 
hitting a caribou with a club was known, at least by the Yellowknives 
{See Back, 1836, page 212). The unborn young of animals are considered 
great delicacies, as are various parts of the viscera. 
Meat is either dried, boiled, or roasted fresh. The dried meat is often 
pounded into a fibrous powder, which is eaten after being dipped into melted 
grease. Pemmican is also made by mixing pounded meat with grease. 
Moose nose, though rubbery, is considered a great delicacy. Keith (1890, 
II, page 108) says that it was taboo for women, but either this taboo was 
only periodically effective or it is no longer in force, for moose nose is 
esteemed today by members of the female sex. Pike (1892, page 56) reports 
the taboo for the Dogribs, however, saying that it is believed that a woman 
who eats the gristle of the nose will grow a beard. 
There is no individual ownership of hunting grounds. McClean (1849, 
II,' page 250) makes this statement for the Slave also. 
Minor Meats , Game Birds, and Vegetable Foods. Meats that form a 
minor part of the native diet include rabbits, lynx, ground squirrels, 
muskrat, beaver, musk-ox (now extinct in this region), and bear. White 
