Page 109 - THE SLOUGHI REVIEW - ISSUE 13

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The hunt proceeds as follows: As soon as one or more mouflons have been spotted by tracks
on the ground, the hunter or hunters set off with their leashed dogs. The leash is a long rope
made of mouflon hair with a loop at both ends. They run to the place where the hound's
hiding place seems to be and the pack is sent in search.

The dogs pick up the scent, cross the trail, follow it with their noses and the first one to spot
the mouflon stops in front of it and barks. At his voice, the others rush over and circle the
mouflon. If the hunter does not come, some of the dogs pick him up and lead him to the

hunted animal. The hunter or hunters then determine the details of the hunt, depending on
the terrain and the escape possibilities of the mouflon. They place the dogs in the right
places and they themselves will position themselves accordingly. They will send one or two
dogs to track the mouflon. Well-trained dogs listen carefully to their owner, restrain their

attack at his voice and can retreat on command.

Then the attack begins. The dogs approach and the mouflon sees the danger and tries to flee.

When the hunters have a whole pack at their disposal, it does not take long before the

mouflon is cornered. Its tactic is to take refuge in inaccessible places where it can climb up
even thanks to its climbing abilities. The fight is often fierce, the mouflon defends itself
terribly. When dogs approach it, it fights back with its horns and woe betide the unwary
who come within its reach.

Chasse au Mouflon, peinture de Rhat, d’après Frobenius. Lhote, in La Chasse p.64