SPOTTED DEER 



the time were past caring. So much for an incident which 

 might happen to any one so take warning, dear readers. 



And now to return to our deer, and a few more useful 

 hints. 



In the case of a wounded animal it is often a good plan 

 to leave the tracking of it for some little time visit some 

 other grounds and then come back. The reason for this is 

 that a wounded animal if pretty badly hurt will soon lie 

 down, not getting up for some time if undisturbed, and 

 during that time getting so stiff and sore that it cannot 

 run far or fast, enabling you to catch up and kill it. Re- 

 member this will be in thick forest or jungle, as the wounded 

 animal always makes for cover, and you must not risk 

 losing your game for want of a little care and precaution. 

 There is a faint chance, of course, that a leopard might 

 step in and take his share during your absence, for I fully 

 believe in some places they have learnt what a gunshot 

 generally means, and wait around in the neighbourhood on 

 the look-out for pickings. 



Another hint if you get sight of a fine buck within 150 

 yards, and offering a clear shot, take it. Do not try and 

 get nearer, unless it is almost a certainty that you can get 

 nearer. Any trifling accident, an abrupt movement, the 

 crack of a twig, a thorn catching your hat, may lose you 

 a chance at a fine head. If not much of a trophy it does 

 not so much matter, and you can try your hand at a really 

 good stalk. I ought to say, " Leave a buck with a poor head 

 alone/' but I don't always practise what I preach, and it 

 is hard to expect a man, after travelling 70 or 80 miles, 

 incurring considerable expense in a trip he may be only 

 able to take once a year, to let bucks go because they do 

 not carry presentable trophies ! 



If a man is such a self-denying thorough sportsman as 



215 



