stefansson-wrangel-09-31-070r

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THE OUTFITTING AND VOYAGE TO WRANGEL 103

each other. If one runs they all run, and if one lies down
they are likely all to lie down. The noise of the rifle does
not startle the arctic caribou, for it resembles the crack-
ing of lake ice, which sound is frequently repeated any
day the temperature is rapidly dropping. Such changes
of temperature happen often enough so that caribou in
winter seem to be in constant and placid expectation of
loud and sharp noises. When the wounded animal lay
down, the others glanced at it and then went on feeding.
As an additional precaution, I shot two others similarly,
upon which not only they lay down, but several
unwounded animals as well.

Being gregarious, caribou at a distance from the main
band will run towards the center of the band if fright-
ened. I made use of this principle in killing the next
animal, which was the one farthest from me. I waited
till it faced slightly towards the herd and then I put a
bullet near the heart. It ran at top speed for forty or
fifty yards and then fell so suddenly that it turned a
somersault. This startled the herd, and the animals
that had lain down of their own accord jumped up; but
they were reassured by seeing the wounded still lying
apparently at ease. I now followed by shooting those at
the outer edge of the band both towards the right and
the left. When each fell, the ones nearest would run
away from it towards the center of the herd. It was
perhaps around the fifth or sixth shot that a stampede
was threatened, for one animal started off determinedly
at right angles. I don’t think they would have run far
because of the quieting effect of the wounded that were
lying down; but I was able to kill the leader, and that
stampeded back those that were immediately following.

At this stage the herd did not give the impression so

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