INDIAN SHOOTING 319 



— in fact, an old buck looks sometimes almost black at a dis- 

 tance ; the beard is thick and very dark brown. 



Ibex are to be found pretty nearly everywhere in the 

 higher ranges of hills from Gilgit to Spiti, though they do not 

 appear to cross the Sutlej to the eastward of Spiti. To name a 

 particular valley would be only misleading. Favourite districts 

 soon get shot out as regards good heads, and the only trust- 

 worthy information to work on is that of the year previous. If 

 you get a good nullah, there is no sport in the Himalayas 

 more charming. Parts of the ground no doubt will test your 

 nerve as a cragsman, but it does not entail the perpetual climb- 

 ing of markhor and ther ground, and in April, May and June 

 a fair number of good chances may be relied upon. As Ward 

 says, ' Patience and steady shooting are what are necessary ; a 

 man does not require to be a first-rate walker or a really brilliant 

 shot during that season ; but he does require to be enduring, 

 and not too eager about getting up at once to his game.' Of 

 course, if the sportsman blazes away at indifferent heads he 

 will not get the big ones ; but if he sees a good head one day 

 and cannot get it, if he does not disturb the beast, he will see 

 him again next day somewhere near the same place, and sooner 

 or later be able to close accounts with him ; ten heads, all over 

 thirty inches, which would probably include two or three over 

 forty inches, would be a far better bag for two months' work 

 than twenty heads in the same time, including a lot of rubbishy 

 little things about twenty-five inches. 



If you wish thoroughly to enjoy your stalk, and the ground 

 is not too difficult, insist upon going first and making your 

 shikari carry your rifle behind you. He will probably object, 

 but be firm, and listen to none of his plausible arguments ; 

 carry out your own stalk without asking his advice, simply 

 telling him what you mean to do. When you are within two 

 hundred yards of where you expect to get your shot, make him 

 lie down, take the rifle from him and go on alone. Warn him 

 beforehand that if he moves till you tell him, you'll fine him. 



