BIG GAME SHOOTING 



more likely to be an easy one. An excellent rest ^ for firing 

 standing can be made with a light bamboo having an iron 

 crutch covered with leather on the top to hold the rifle barrels. 

 The crutch should be the exact height of the top of the sports- 

 man's shoulder, and is held, when firing, with the left hand 

 at arm's length. The bottom of the stick should be shod, to 

 prevent it wearing away when used as a walking-stick. The 

 advantages of using this rest are particularly noticeable when 

 shooting among low bushes, which so often interfere with a shot 

 when sitting or kneeling. 



Frequently, just before the sportsman can get a fair chance at 

 the buck he wants, the herd begins to move off ; two or three 

 does commence bucking high in the air, and to a novice it would 

 appear that the whole herd are on the point of galloping away. 

 This, however, by no means follows. The master buck often 

 takes very little notice of their pranks, and follows slowly after 

 them, in which case the does calm down, and though still con- 

 tinuing to move, will lead on slowly. The sportsman should 

 follow them quietly, still keeping on their flanks, and heading 

 so as to cut them off", if possible ; sooner or later he will get a 

 chance if he sticks to them quietly, though if he has followed 

 them for some distance he will probably only get a running 

 shot. Each herd has its own district as a rule, and sooner than 

 be forced far over its boundary, it will turn and gallop back 

 past the sportsman, often within fifty yards. This is even more 

 noticeable with ravine deer, whose herd districts appear to be 

 smaller than those of antelope, and who generally require a lot 

 of following up and bullying before they give a chance. A good 

 buck with a herd of either antelope or of ravine deer need 

 never be given up as hopeless as long as it can be followed. 

 In following a wounded buck the main point is just to keep it 

 in sight without pressing it until it lies down, when it should 

 be left for about half an hour before being restalked. If it is 

 intended to ride, or course the buck, the attendants should be 



^ Such a crutch is in general use amongst Caucasians. — C.P.-W. 



