WILD GEESE. 118 



ment of shooting, cannot fail to rouse the energetic instincts of members 

 of the white races. 



Goose shooting is better enjoyed when shared with two or three 

 congenial companions, besides being greatly facilitated. The party 

 ehould ride out to the hunting grounds, when the ponies should be left 

 in charge of an intelligent native, who will watch the sportsmen and 

 have the ponies in readiness for immediate use, without interfering 

 with the game. 



If the day is not far advanced and the air cool, the geese will be 

 found flying to and fro within easy range from the ground in search of 

 suitable feeding places. They have been flying probably all night, and, 

 being anxious to secure food and rest, will fall an easy prey to the sports- 

 men, especially if the latter have concealed themselves behind some 

 dyke or other. 



This will not last long, however, and it becomes necessary to stalk 

 the geese that have settled in large flocks in every direction on the fields 

 of young wheat. The wily birds always keep a sentinel on guard, 

 generally an o'ld and experienced gander. It is then that the advantage 

 of three or four guns is seen. By the hunters surrounding the geese 

 and slowly advancing upon theim, the latter become flustered, not being 

 able to choose in which direction to fly. As they rise they are 

 sure to pass close over one or other of the guns offering 

 an easy mark. This process can be repeated till towards 

 noon, when the geese, having satisfied their hunger, fly down to 

 the nearest river or lake to drink and rest. It is then impossible 

 to approach them, and the sportsmen had better abandon the chase 

 for the day, or wait till late in the afternoon, when the geese once 

 more take to their wings, and prepare to continue their journey north- 

 ward or southward according to the season. 



When geese are particularly shy it becomes necessary to resort to 

 stratagem. A native cart is not feared by them, and by hiring one 

 of these and using it as a cover while the carter drives close to the 

 game, one can often make a bag when most other methods have failed. 



In country where geese are plentiful they can often be secured 

 by riding at a dead gallop up to them and shooting into the brown of 

 the flock as the birds rise. 



With a rifle one can do very well, for though a single goose presents 

 but a small mark, they crowd so closely together that a well-directed 

 ball seldom fails to knock out a bird. Needless to say this method is 

 too dangerous, except when one is alone. 



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