The Blackbuck, or Indian Antelope 



The natives of India have many — for the most part 

 unsportsmanlike — ways of capturing blackbuck. The 

 most celebrated is the capture by trai ned hunting-leopards, 

 or chitas, which are taken out blindfold in a cart, and 

 slipped at their quarry when the vehicle has approached 

 as close as practicable. The hunting-leopard either 

 secures his prey by a single rush (the speed of which is 

 almost incredible), or, if he fail in this, gives up the 

 pursuit in disgust. Another method is to place snares 

 at intervals over a considerable area of ground, and 

 then to drive the herd across it, when animals of all 

 ages and both sexes are taken. A less common plan is 

 to send a number of tame bucks, upon whose horns 

 snares are tied, into the herd, when the master-buck 

 challenges the intruders, and during the fight that 

 ensues is frequently caught himself. 



Colonel Heber Percy describes a method of stalking 

 by means of a grass-screen and a tame buck and doe 

 held in check by a long string. When the sportsman 

 and his attendant come within a convenient distance of 

 the herd, they set up the movable screen, which is 

 furnished with a hole through which the muzzle of the 

 rifle can be thrust, and take up their position behind, 

 crouching down on their knees. Meanwhile the decoy 

 buck and doe are incited to walk out in front of the 

 screen, and soon attract the attention of the master- 

 buck, who advances to challenge the intruding rival 

 and carry off the doe. He is, however, somewhat 

 curious and anxious with regard to the screen, and 

 endeavours by a flanking movement to ascertain what 

 is concealed behind. To obviate this the screen must 

 be constantly shifted round in accordance with the 

 movements of the buck, till he comes sufficiently near 

 to afford a shot. It is said that the decoy buck 

 should not be too old, or the herd-buck may be afraid 

 to challenge him. 



A white blackbuck is preserved in the Hon. Walter 

 Rothschild's museum at Tring. 



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