Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

266 -^ CAMPINGAND WOODCRAFTheavy to lift upon the horse's back, fasten youi:picket-rope to the deer's hind legs, throw the lineover the saddle, get on the other side, and haulaway until the deer's hocks are up even with thesaddle; then quickly snub the rope around the saddle-horn,go around, swing the burden over the saddle,balancing it evenly, and lash it fast. Or, ifyou wish to ride, move the deer behind the saddleand lash it there, bringing the legs forward oneither side and tying them to the rings of the cinch.For thongs, if the saddle has none, cut strips frointhe skin of the deer's fore legs. Be sure to fastenthe load securely, so that it cannot slip, or youwill have a badly frightened horse. By skinningthe legs from hoofs to ankles, partly disarticulatingthe latter, and then tying the legs snugly, theywill not dangle and scare the horse, nor catch inunderbrush.Another way is to place the deer in the saddleseat, back to horn, legs to rear. Tie one end of ashort rope to latigo ring, pass rope around deerback of shoulders and once more through the ring.Bring rope out in front of deer's breast, take a halfturn with it in rope back of shoulders, and pull alltight. Take two half hitches on saddle horn. Repeaton opposite side, but bring rope up betweenhind legs of deer, take the half turn, and fasten tosaddle horn as before. Now tie deer's head on topof load. This method of packing is recommendedby W. G. Corker, who says '* no horse alive canbuck it off."A simpler but secure way is to cut slits for thongsabove the hocks and knees and another slit alongthe brisket. Place the deer on the saddle in suchmanner that the saddle horn sticks through the slitbrisket. Tie down the legs at their middle jointsto the cinch-ring on each side. (Emerson Hough.)Carrying on a Litter.— Tw^o men can carrya deer on a pole Ny tying its legs together in pairs,slipping the pole through, and tying the head totheonle. Unless the carcass is tied snugly ^o the pole-