CHAPTER XII

MOOSE

At the present time we have only one species of moose
(Alces gigas) in this Province, though how long we shall
be allowed to remain in this state of blissful ignorance it
is hard to say—probably not much longer. Already
some zoologist has been very busy trying to prove that
the moose of East Kootenay has sufficiently distinct
characteristics to warrant its being classed as a separate
species. What the supposed difference is has not been
told me. Possibly the moose of that district have been
stepping such a height to clear the fallen jack pines—
which abound in that district—for so many generations
that they have at last developed longer legs; at least,
this is the suggestion that was made by a man after he
had spent a long, weary, fruitless day following one in
an area that was liberally sprinkled with these obstacles.
But whether they differ from those of the north in struc-
ture or not, it is a fact that they do differ in habits, in
size of body, and in horn growth. This is, however, entirely
due to the fact that the character of the northern country
is not similar to that of Kootenay. In the first place
the snowfall in the north is not sufficient in depth to
compel the moose to “ yard up” in winter; that is, to
feed in a restricted area where they keep paths in the
snow trodden down; and secondly, the whole country
has numerous willow-covered swamps, where food is
abundant even in the most severe weather. Conse-
quently, the moose up there are never forced to struggle
for existence in winter, or become weakened by constantly
ploughing through deep snow. Therefore they are always
in good condition when spring comes, and this results in

better horn growth.
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