TO LKARN TO SHOOT. 151 



as the animal is ascending, descending, or running on the 

 level, will not be an inch too much. 



On level ground it is well to shoot a little low of the 

 object, as it is better to take the deer on alighting from his 

 bounds, especially if he be in bushy covert or underwood. 



All allowances of distance, as also for the force of a 

 cross wind, however, are matters of judgment and calcula- 

 tion, as are the ranges at which the shooter is actually 

 firing ; and practice is the only true way to obtain correct- 

 ness of judgment, and of eye-calculation. 



It must always be remembered, however, that every 

 one who has acquired the skill to shoot off-hand, necessa- 

 rily possesses that which enables him to shoot with a rest ; 

 and that he who can surely strike an object in motion can 

 strike one at rest with tenfold certainty. 



To conclude, I advise no person who desires to become 

 a proficient with both weapons, by any means to touch the 

 rifle until he has made himself a perfect master of shoot- 

 ing on the wing ; and then never to practise with single 

 ball at a mark for any length of time, without diversifying 

 his practice by shooting at turnips, bowled or tossed, as 

 described before. 



If he do, he will lose one skill, as he acquires the 

 other, even though he may be an old craftsman and a cap- 

 ital shot. 



The habit of waiting and following for an exact aim, 

 with the sights in line, will stick to him, and incline him 

 to dwell and follow his birds on the wing, in a manner 

 which, as it has been shown, is destructive to quickness, 

 style and handsomeness of killing. 



