unicorns were thought to be so fast and so smart that it was nearly impossible to catch on alive. but medieval manuscripts describe two ways to do it by deception.
the first method requiresda great deal of courage. Hunters were advised to chase and annoy the unicorn until it was angry enoughto attack. Then the hunter was to stand boldly in front of the tree as the animal charged directly at him. just as the last minute,the hunter would leap aside. The unicorn's horn would go into the tree instead of the hunter, and the animal would be stuck fast.
although unicorn could be dangerously fierce,especially when hunted, they were believed to be very gentle with young girls.so another way to catch the animal was to use a pure-hearted maiden as a bait. the maiden would sit ina clearing,and hunters would hide nearby. the unicorn would sit in a clearing, and hunters would hide nearby. the unicorn would approach the maiden without fear and allow itself to be patted. if nothing startled it, the animal would even lie down,put it's head on the maiden's lap, and go to sleep. then it was time to spring the trap and capture the unsuspecting creature.