REMINISCENCES OF JUNGLYPUR 217 



over 20 inches in length was considered good, while 22 to 

 23 inches would be a prize. 



Now we are well aware that antelope-shooting is very apt 

 to pall, and is looked down on by some great hunters as 

 a pastime only fit for the babes and sucklings in the shikdri 

 line. However, in default of nobler game, and if indulged 

 in with a due regard to its peculiarities, without a burning 

 desire to make a large bag in as short a time as possible, 

 this pursuit is capable of affording a great deal of sport 

 and much quiet enjoyment. 



Antelope-shooting, to give the most pleasing results, 

 should be conducted with a complete disregard for the size 

 of the bag and with an absence of all hurry. 



In the country of which I speak there was nothing 

 whatever to prevent a steady shot bagging his dozen buck 

 in a day that is, of course, if the sport were to be judged 

 of by quantity, and not merely by quality. Except where 

 the herds of antelope had been unduly harassed by native 

 shikaris, the most successful plan was to walk boldly in the 

 direction of or past the buck, edging in quietly, and only 

 taking a shot, in the standing position, when within easy 

 range ; the antelope being so accustomed to the presence 

 of people working in the fields, or passing from village to 

 village of the plain, that the adoption of a confidently 

 casual manner, while showing one's self openly to their 

 watchful gaze, was almost invariably successful with an 

 animal that judges of the harmfulness of an object by the 

 apparent quality of its guile. 



Let one attempt a regular stalk, however, even with the 

 aid of good cover, and it would be fortunate if some wary 

 doe did not perceive and give timely warning of the im- 

 pending danger. 



The conclusion to be drawn from the above is that, if 

 you desire to make antelope-shooting a real pleasure and a 

 true exercise of skill, there must be no trading on this one 

 weak point of an otherwise extremely wide-awake creature. 



