THE SPORTSMAN'S POINT OF VIEW iii 



anything, even though it may be nothing better than a twelve 

 or fifteen pointer. That is their look-out. But even though 

 they have it beautifully mounted, it will never be an object 

 of either interest or satisfaction, except as a reminder of the 

 trip. I have known both of these things happen. One 

 sportsman was determined not to fire a shot unless a really 

 large head could be found — nothing less than a forty pointer 

 would satisfy his requirements. During the first two weeks 

 of his trip he saw a number of fairly good stags, carrying 

 heads of from twenty-eight to thirty-five points. These he 

 let pass, notwithstanding the warning and importunities of 

 his guide, who considered it a shame not to take anything 

 over thirty points. But my fi-iend was decided in his view, 

 and refused to be coerced. When the last week came, he 

 would then take those smaller heads, if nothing better oftered. 

 He never saw another stag, small or large, and came home 

 empty-handed and very much disappointed, while his guide 

 was utterly disgusted with him, for the trip had been a very 

 hard one. Another man, having heard of this bad luck, 

 made up his mind not to be caught in a similar way. He 

 had a month at his disposal, and during the first two weeks 

 shot two small stags, both with considerably under thirty 

 points. This left him with one still to get, and he decided 

 that it must be a big one, or he would not shoot. Nothing 

 fine enough could be found till within three or four days of 

 his time. Then a splendid stag was seen. It was very shy, 

 and after spending many hours in attempts to approach within 

 reasonable range, he finally had to be content with a very 

 long and unsuccessful shot. So the stag got away, and on the 

 last day he had to be satisfied with a miserable little twenty- 

 two pointer, as he was determined not to return without his 

 full allowance of three. 



It is scarcely possible to offer advice as to where the 



