VIRGINIA DEER. 85 



There is good deer hunting along the line between Menomonee 

 and Escanaba, in August and September. Though the law does 

 not allow it, hunting is done in these months. As the deer leave 

 the peninsula so much earlier than they go south in Lower Michi- 

 gan, it is a manifest injustice to sportsmen to be prevented by the 

 law from shooting them when they are in their best condition, 

 particularly as deer are abundant in this section. There is a good 

 winter hunting spot eight to ten miles north of Day's River, and on 

 Red Division (twelve miles north of Escanaba) on the Smith River. 

 On Bay de Nouquet the deer congregate in a section of heavy tim- 

 ber, and winter there. Splendid hunting may be had here in the 

 months of October, November, and December. Guides may 

 be had here at about two dollars per day. Guides make their 

 headquarters here, and this, without doubt, is the best point to fit 

 out with everything necessary for the trip, with exception of arms 

 and accoutrements. 



Stalking is by all odds the most difficult method of capturing 

 the deer, and is one which calls into play all the sportsman's best 

 qualities. An eminent Scotch writer and hunter, whose kindred 

 excel in deer-stalking, designates the qualities requisite for success 

 in this method of hunting, as follows : 



" It may readily be supposed, that for the pursuit of deer-stalk- 

 ing a hardy frame and plenty of pluck are required. These qualities 

 are indispensably necessary ; but in the other points he may vary 

 as much as the average of men are seen to do. The model deer- 

 stalker, however, should be of good proportions, moderately tall, 

 narrow-hipped to give speed, and with powerful loins and well-de- 

 veloped chest for giving endurance and wind. No amount of fat 

 should be allowed ; indeed, the deer-stalker ought to be in as good 

 training as the race-horse and greyhound. The foot should be sure, 

 and the eye keen and long-seeing, as the telescope cannot always 

 be applied to that important organ. He should be practiced in 

 running and stooping, in crawling on his belly, or on his back, by 

 means of his elbows or his heels ; and should care neither for 

 business, cold, nor wet. The nerves should be good, for the ex- 

 citement produced by this sport is such as to render unsteady the 

 hand of all but those who are of the phlegmatic temperament. 

 ' Dutch courage ' is not desirable, but ' Dutch phlegm ' will here 



