The hunters would not wait to be attacked and then act in self-defense, possibly at a disadvantage.

They would be constantly on the lookout for the Woongas, and if a fresh trail or a camp was found they would begin the man-hunt themselves.
The sun was just beginning to sink behind the distant hills in the southwest when the hunters again left camp.

Wolf had received nothing to eat since the previous night, and with increasing hunger the fiery impatience lurking in his eyes and the restlessness of his movements became more noticeable.

Mukoki called attention to these symptoms with a gloating satisfaction.
The gloom of early evening was enveloping the wilderness by the time the three wolf hunters reached the swamp in which Rod had slain the buck.
While he carried the guns and packs, Mukoki and Wabigoon dragged the buck between them to the huge flat-top rock.

Now for the first time the city youth began to understand the old pathfinder's scheme.