280 LETTERS TO YOUNG SHOOTERS LETTER 



Pointers do not require this preliminary tuition to 

 nearly the same extent as setters ; but if you take 

 good care they are well exercised on hard ground for 

 several days before shooting commences, their feet 

 will be tough enough to resist all danger of lameness, 

 and the loss of sport it may cause. Of course, a 

 keeper is supposed to exercise the dogs under his 

 charge ; but his ideas of this duty are to give 

 them a gallop in a grass field, or paddock, for a half 

 hour in the morning, and then to kennel them up for 

 the day, a next to useless training for their ' wind ' 

 and ' feet.' 



On the morning of the 12th many shooters con- 

 sider it a duty to start at 8 A.M., and in any weather, 

 however bad. The usual result is, they are exhausted 

 ere the day is scarce half over. If the rain pours 

 down and the wind blows great guns, no matter ; they 

 stick to the moor as if the 12th of August was the 

 only day on which grouse could be shot. My advice 

 is, not to start shooting before 9.30 at earliest (10 is 

 preferable), and reserve your strength for the after- 

 noon and evening, for that is the time to kill the 

 birds. 



If the 12th (or any other day) is wet, with a high 

 wind, you are far better at home ; and your moor is 

 better off too, for if you disturb the birds in stormy 

 weather you will soon teach them to become wild, and 

 to gather into packs. Leave your moor quiet in bad 



