OF A RANCHMAN 227 



missing when out in the field, and that not 

 once, but again and again. 



Of course, in those parts of the wilder- 

 ness where the black-tail are entirely un- 

 used to man, they are as easy to approach 

 (from the leeward side) as is any and every 

 other kind of game under like conditions. 

 In lonely spots, to which hunters rarely or 

 never penetrate, deer of this species will 

 stand and look at a hunter without offer- 

 ing to run away till he is within fifty yards 

 of them, if he will advance quietly. In a 

 far-off mountain forest I have more than 

 once shot a young buck at less than that 

 distance as he stood motionless, gazing at 

 me, although but little caution had been 

 used in approaching him. 



But a short experience of danger on the 

 part of the black-tail changes all this ; and 

 where hunters are often afoot, he becomes 

 ild and wary as may be. Then the suc- 

 cessful still-hunter shows that he is indeed 

 well up in the higher forms of hunting craft. 



