The month of October is the rutting season with the Caribou in those parts, and after the time of their courtship is over, the bucks separate from the does; the former proceed to the Westward, to take shelter in the woods during the Winter, and the latter keep out in the barren ground the whole year. This, though a general rule, is not without some exceptions. This rule only stands good respecting the caribou to the North of Churchill River; for the caribou to the Southward live together among the woods, as well as in the plains, and along the banks of rivers, lakes, &c. the whole year. The old bucks' antlers are very large, with many branches, and always drop off in November, which is about the time they approach the woods. This is undoubtedly the better to enable them to escape from their enemies through the woods; otherwise they would become an easy prey to wolves and other beasts, and be liable to get entangled among the trees. The Northern caribou, though by far the smallest in this country, have much the largest antlers, than any other species of deer that I have noticed. The does do not shed their antlers till the Summer; so that when the buck's are ready to drop off, the doe's are all hairy, and scarcely come to their full growth. The Caribou in those parts are generally in motion according to the season, or the prevailing winds; and that is the principal reason why the Chipewyan Indians are always shifting their station. From November till May, the bucks continue to the Westward, among the woods, when their antlers begin to sprout; after which they proceed to the Eastward, to the barren grounds; and the does that have been there all the Winter, are taught by instinct to advance to the Westward to meet them.