CHAPTER XVIII. 



Fifth Florida Episode : Deer Hunting. 



i HE different modes of destroying deer are proba 

 bly loo well understood and too successful!} 

 practised in the United States ; for notwith- 

 standing the almost incredible abundance of these beau- 

 tiful animals in our forests and prairies, such havoc is 

 carried on amongst them, that in a few centuries they 

 will probably be as scarce in America as the great bus- 

 tard now is in Britain. 



" We have three modes of hunting deer, each varying 

 in some slight degree in the different states and districts. 

 The first is termed ' still hunting,' and is by far the most 

 destructive. The second is called 'fire-light hunting,' 

 and is next in its exterminating effects. The third, which 

 may be looked upon as a mere amusement, is named 

 'driving.' Although many deer are destroyed by this 

 latter method, it is not by any means so pernicious as 

 the others. These methods I shall describe separately. 



" ' Still hunting ' is followed as a kind of trade by 

 most of our frontier men. To be practised with success, 

 it requires great activity, an expert management of the 

 rifle, and a thorough knowledge of the forest, together 

 with an intimate acquaintance with the habits of the 

 deer, not only at different seasons of the year, but also 

 at every hour of the day, as the hunter must be aware 

 of the situations which the game prefers, and in which it 

 is most likely to be found at any particular time. I 

 might here present you with a full account of the habits 



