Henceforth for six months deadfall and snare would lie idle and unset.
They went their accustomed line, carrying their snowshoes, but rarely needing them.

Then they crossed a large track to which Quonab pointed, and grunted affirmatively as Rolf said "Bear ?" Yes! the bears were about once more; their winter sleep was over.

Now they were fat and the fur was yet prime; in a month they would be thin and shedding.

Now is the time for bear hunting with either trap or dog.
Doubtless Skookum thought the party most fortunately equipped in the latter respect, but no single dog is enough to bay a bear.

There must be three or four to bother him behind, to make him face about and fight; one dog merely makes him run faster.
They had no traps, and knowing that a spring bear is a far traveller, they made no attempt to follow.
The deadfalls yielded two martens, but one of them was spoiled by the warm weather.