172 Otters and Otter-Hunting. 



striking at it in an unsportsmanlike manner deserving 

 of severe reprobation. 



Tailing is in these circumstances possibly better, 

 but it is not always practicable, and in no case 

 should an Otter be tailed unless hounds are close 

 enough to him to seize him before he is drawn 

 entirely out of the water. In any other circum- 

 stances tailing is not justifiable. 



If hounds after seizing their Otter are not quick 

 in despatching him — rough hounds often appear to 

 " mumble " their game where the quicker, keener 

 foxhound will crush the skull with a single bite of 

 his powerful jaws — get hold of the rudder and pull 

 against them. This will make them keener and 

 finish the business more quickly. Of course you 

 will encourage them with voice and horn, keeping 

 up the excitement all the time. 



Once dead, get the hounds to leave him, not using 

 a whip, but pulling them off with the hands and 

 pushing them back with pole and legs. Get the 

 carcase under water for a minute or two while you 

 recover your breath and then bring it ashore. Un- 

 less the terriers are picked up at the kill they will 

 be the worse to keep clear of the dead Otter and 

 may even get worried by hounds. 



Always weigh your Otter, ascertain the sex, and 

 dismember it yourself. It is a mistake to leave it 

 to the hunt servants, even though you stain your 



