U2 Deer of the River Bottoms. 



grounds of the deer may vary. If they are on a bottom 

 studded with dense copses, they move out on the open 

 between them ; if they are in a dense wood, they feed 

 along its edges ; but, by preference, they keep in the 

 little glades and among the bushes underneath the trees. 

 Wherever they may be found, they are rarely far from 

 thick cover, and are always on the alert, lifting up their 

 heads every few bites they take to see if any danger 

 threatens them. But, unlike the antelope, they seem to 

 rely for safety even more upon escaping observation than 

 upon discovering danger while it is still far off, and so are 

 usually in sheltered places where they cannot be seen at 

 any distance. Hence, shots at them are generally ob- 

 tained, if obtained at all, at very much closer range 

 than at any other kind of game ; the average distance 

 would be nearer fifty than a hundred yards. On the 

 other hand, more of the shots obtained are running 

 ones than is the case with the same number taken at 

 antelope or black-tail. 



If the deer is standing just out of a fair-sized wood, it 

 can often be obtained by creeping up along the edge ; if 

 seen among the large trees, it is even more easily still- 

 hunted, as a tree trunk can be readily kept in line with the 

 quarry, and thus prevent its suspecting any approach. But 

 only a few white-tail are killed by regular and careful stalk- 

 ing ; in much the greater number of instances the hunter 

 simply beats patiently and noiselessly from the leeward, 

 carefully through the clumps of trees and bushes, always 

 prepared to see his game, and with his rifle at the 

 ready. Sooner or later, as he steals round a corner, 



