DEER. 189 



so dry and tough as to be scarcely eatable, except when 

 young. There are few sportsmen who have not sprung 

 these birds while crossing fallow fields in September, 

 when the young ones are often found by the dogs, in 

 beating for game. 



DEER. 



The art of killing deer with a rifle is so well known 

 to every park-keeper, that it would be needless to men- 

 tion more than the most approved methods of shooting 

 them. For a deer standing sideways take the fore- 

 legs, the neck, or the head; but, in firing at the latter, 

 be careful not to shoot too forward or too low, as you 

 would then only break his jaw. A deer facing you 

 affords the worst chance of all ; but, if he is standing 

 from you, it is the best, as you may then take him in 

 the poll, or the back of the head; and, if struck any- 

 where 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 fuejust behind the fore- 

 leg, 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, or 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 blood- 

 hounds to hunt him back to the park, or wish to save 

 your corn by shooting him, go out in a summer morning 

 just after sunrise, while the dew is on the grass, or un- 

 ripe corn, and look with caution into every enclosure, 

 and particularly among young peas. You must be very 



