DEER. 185 



is standing/row you, it is the best, as you may then 

 take him in the poll, or the back of the head; and, 

 if struck anywhere in these parts, he will come down. 

 For a bad marksman, or a long shot, the surest way 

 to hit him (so as to have any effect) is to fire just 

 behind the foreleg, and pretty low down : this is the 

 best and easiest target that he can present, and here 

 you will have a chance of taking the heart. He will, 

 however, unless shot through the neck, brains, spine, 

 on forelegs, generally bound away, and apparently 

 unhurt, till he has gone a considerable distance : he 

 will then begin to stagger, and fall. 



If you have an outlying deer, and are without 

 bloodhounds to hunt him back to the park, or wish 

 to save your corn by shooting him, go out in a sum- 

 mer morning just after sunrise, while the dew is on 

 the grass, or unripe corn, and look with caution into 

 every inclosure, and particularly among young peas. 

 You must be very silent, because, if a buck hears 

 you, he will probably lie down so close as to escape 

 your notice ; but, if you go carefully and silently, 

 you will see him feeding, and most likely at no great 

 distance from a hedgerow. 



If he happens to be near some hidden place, that 

 you can approach without being smelt * (by going to 

 windward), seen, or heard among the boughs, you 

 will probably get a good shot ; but, if not, your best 



* There is a remedy to obviate this, which frequently answers ; 

 and that is. to carry before you an armful of very sweet hay. 



