ON PLAIN AND PEAK 



" Still-hunting," as the Americans call it, is much 

 more sporting than sitting on a hackstand for an 

 entire evening ; but the woods are generally very 

 thick, and the roe harmonize wonderfully with the 

 foliage. On most Bohemian estates stalking-paths 

 are cut through the woods, and kept as free as 

 possible of dead sticks, leaves, etc. Of course, as 

 in all stalking, the wind is the most important 

 consideration. It is sad to think, by the way, how 

 strong and disagreeable the human smell must be, 

 that all wild animals should flee from it so ! 



The rutting-time of the roebuck is in July, and 

 when that season has begun, there is no reliance to 

 be placed on the movements of the bucks. At this 

 time the doe utters a curious little plaintive cry, and 

 an instrument that imitates this sound is often very 

 successful in bringing the buck. 



The morning is the best time for this " blatting," 

 as it is called. The approach of individual bucks 

 varies considerably. One will come slowly and 

 noiselessly along, stalking the imaginary doe ; whilst 

 another will rush along like an express train, crash- 

 ing through the bushes, right up to you. This 

 style of shooting is by no means easy it is 

 necessary to be a quick shot. It is worthy of note, 

 too, that a buck missed will not be taken in again 

 in this way for that summer at least. One must be 

 sure also that it is a buck, and not a doe, that one 



60 



